I’ve been looking for a simple needlepoint design to take with me on a couple of upcoming trips. Something small enough to tuck in my bag and pull out while waiting for connecting flights. It’s always difficult for me to think too far off season; you know, that whole planning ahead thing. Right now I can think as far as Christmas, so small projects like this are just the thing to make sure I’m finished in time for the holidays.
I love this fabric that I’ve been making pillows out of so I thought it might be fun to make a companion needlepoint piece, and these little mini stockings are a great way to use up scrap yarns. I’ve made several in different designs and eventually they’ll all be stitched up for decorating and gifts.
I made a ‘stocking’ template out of cardstock and keep it handy so that my finished pieces will all be the same size. The design is only about 8 inches tall so it’s the perfect take-along project.
I traced around the cardstock then used the Christmas ornament fabric as my inspiration. I used Sharpie pens with a light touch to not over do the amount of ink on the canvas.
You can trace the design but you don’t have to replicate the fabric exactly, just keep it similar then choose the corresponding yarn colors to pull it altogether. Coming up with an original subject can be tricky but using fabrics for design ideas is a fun way to make something of your own creation, while just borrowing the general theme. If you choose to make a pillow out of your needlepoint, you’ve got the perfect duo.
I toss it all in a zippered pouch and I’m set for my travels. With any luck I’ll show you the finished product quite soon. If you have trouble coming up with an idea for your own needlepoint, feel free to copy, trace, print and use this little stocking for your own. It’s a great way to get started without the expense of a hand painted canvas.
