The Easiest Sweater Stocking for Christmas

This thrifted sweater Christmas stocking is so easy to make! You can whip up one in about an hour of crafting fun! Let’s get started!

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Pinterest graphic with text overlay "easy DIY thrifted sweater Christmas Stocking by ReinventedDelaware.com" showing a completed stocking

what can I do with an old sweater?

It’s no secret that I love to upcycle thrifted sweaters. Here are a couple of other upcycled sweater projects we have here at Reinvented Delaware. Pop over to see these other projects and then head back here to see this adorable sweater stocking!

You can pick up some amazing sweaters at your local thrift store. It’s not uncommon to find brand names like J.Crew or Talbots. Many of the sweaters are natural fibers like wool, cashmere, and lambswool.

This sweater is made from wool, one of my favorite fabrics to work with! And the Northwoods design is perfect for a Christmas stocking!

thrifted sweater with Northwest pattern in black, gray and white laying on the floor

The supplies for this sweater stocking are simple and except for the thrift store sweaters, you probably have most of the supplies on hand. I will provide links for the common items just in case you need some of the basic supplies.

list of supplies:

  • thrifted sweater with a Northwoods design (or one you prefer!)
  • white thrifted sweater with a button-up front
  • large eye needle
  • heavy thread
  • scissors
  • jute twine
  • old stocking for the pattern (or draw your own in the size you want!)

design your Christmas stocking

Now, when I say design, I say it very loosely. It’s really just a matter of laying out the pattern on the sweater design in a way that looks good to you.

Hold on, did I say ‘pattern”? I did! But you can see that my pattern is just a stocking from our Christmas decor. You could draw this pattern on a piece of butcher paper very easily. Just look at the basic shape and draw it out to the size you want.

You could even make small versions of this pattern and create a Christmas stocking garland! Ok, that sounds like another tutorial in the making!

Let’s get back to this sweater stocking project before I get carried away!

supplies for a thrift store sweater Christmas stocking DIY laying on the floor

After I decided where I wanted the sweater design to be placed on the stocking, I cut out around the stocking ‘pattern’. You’ll notice that I moved the red stocking down a couple of inches from the top. This will allow room for the fold-down cuff we will add in just a bit.

black and white Northwest design thrifted sweater being cut using an old stocking as a pattern

how to sew a handmade stocking

After both the front and the back sections were cut out, I placed the piece’s right sides together. The heavy thread and a large eye needle make this simple running stitch go quickly.

I fixed a cup of coffee and then stitched about 1/2″ away from the edge, knotting the thread at the beginning and the end.

If you don’t want to stitch this Christmas sweater stocking, you could use hot glue and run a bead along the edge very neatly. As a seamstress, that is not my preference but I’m not going to try to stop you!!

thrifted sweater cut out in stocking shape and hand stitched around the edge

add the top cuff to the stocking

Next, I decided where to place the cuff. The first step is to decide what part of the button-down white sweater I wanted to be exposed as the cuff. I decided that the button-down edge and the bottom edge were perfect. So I cut off those edges at a width of about 4″ and long enough to go all the way around.

Ok, so this next part of this sweater stocking project requires a little bit of thinking. And I mean a little bit.

Be sure to place the cuff inside of the stocking in a manner that when it is folded into a cuff, the seam will be hidden. It’s a bit of upside down and backward thinking, so test it out first and then start stitching! You can do it!!

add the hanger to the sweater stocking

The hanger is just a strand of jute twine cut at about 10″ and then looped and knotted. You can see how I make this type of hanger in the post about the painted paper mache star Christmas tree ornaments. They are super cute and you will enjoy the post!

Using the same needle and a bit of heavy thread, stitch the jute loop hanger to the inside of the stocking. This is a handmade type of project, so don’t worry about being perfect and neat with your stitching! Just enjoy the process 😊

hang your sweater Christmas stocking

So, what do you think? Super easy and super adorable, don’t you think?

You can see in the image below that I added a couple of large white buttons to the cuff. Feel free to add any buttons, beads, or anything else you come up with to the cuff of the stocking!

handmade sweater stocking hanging from a fireplace mantle that also shows a stone fireplace

how to make a thrifted sweater stocking

Let’s review the steps:

  • go shopping and find your thrifted sweaters
  • design the layout
  • cut out the stocking shape
  • right sides together, stitch a running stitch 1/2″ from the edge
  • attach the contrasting cuff with a running stitch
  • add the jute loop hanger
  • add any buttons, beads or any small do-dads from your stash
  • hang the stocking and enjoy!
side view of DIY sweater stocking hanging from the mantle of a stone fireplace

easy handmade Christmas stocking

I hope you enjoyed this super easy thrifted sweater Christmas stocking! Making crafts and projects like this adds a special touch to the holiday season. It’s a time to slow down and enjoy the season and crafting is one of the best ways to slow down. Invite some friends over, heat up the hot chocolate, and craft away!

Pin the image below to your home decor and furniture boards! Just click the pin button at the top left corner!

Pinterest graphic showing one of the steps to make a handmade stocking with supplies lying on the floor and text overly "easy DIY thrifted sweater Christmas Stocking ReinventedDelaware.com"

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Until next time…

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16 Comments

  1. I love it Cindy! Beautiful fabric from the sweater. Pinned

    1. Cynthia Gayle says:

      Thanks Cindy! Sweaters are fun to recycle!

  2. This is such a great project! You made it look so easy. I definitely pinned this one! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Cynthia Gayle says:

      Isn’t it a fun project?? And the sewing was soooo easy! Thanks for pinning!

  3. Love this idea, Cindy! It’s such a great way to upcycle a sweater and it’s a wonderful Christmas stocking!

    1. Cynthia Gayle says:

      There are so many possibilities with sweathers! Thanks for stopping by!

  4. Jennifer Baker says:

    You are sooooo crafty! #sewinggoals 🎄

    1. Cynthia Gayle says:

      Thanks Jennifer! These stockings are so easy too! Thank you for stopping by!

  5. Great idea, Cindy! I have a few sweaters in mind. Yours turned out super cute. 🙂
    Shared and pinned.

    1. Cynthia Gayle says:

      Yes! Bring on all the sweaters for stockings!! Thank Do!

  6. I love this idea! Such a fun way to upcycle a sweater and give it new life. <3

    1. Hugs to you Stacey! Thanks for stopping by!

  7. Cindy, this is such a cute stocking project and I love the pattern! I’m so happy to feature your post this week at our Tuesday Turn About Link Party! Hope to see you there!

    1. Omgoodness, this made my day Michelle!! Thanks so much!

  8. What a super creative and fun project! You could have a coordinated sweater set for the family!

    1. Anna, that’s a great idea!!