What comes in a Christmas stocking kit
A counted cross stitch stocking kit is a complete package: pre-sorted stranded cotton, the stocking-shaped or rectangular fabric, a blunt tapestry needle and a printed colour chart. What varies is the fabric count and whether the stocking is finished for you. Some kits give you a pre-shaped felt or fabric stocking with an aida panel already attached, so the making-up is minimal. Others give you flat aida to stitch and then cut, line and seam yourself. Check which you are buying before Christmas week, because the second kind needs a sewing evening after the stitching is done.
Fabric count and how long it takes
Most stocking kits use 14-count aida, meaning 14 stitches to the inch, which is comfortable to see and quick to work. Some use 11-count for a larger, faster stitch, and a few use finer 16 or 18-count evenweave for detailed designs. The count decides the finished size as much as the chart does, so a design worked on 18-count comes out noticeably smaller than the same chart on 11. As a rough planning guide, a full-length stocking with dense coverage is a project of many evenings rather than a weekend — start in autumn (or earlier!) if it is meant for this December.
Personalising with the alphabet chart
- Chart the name on squared paper first, so you can centre it before a single stitch goes in.
- Count the total width in stitches, halve it, and work outward from the centre of the cuff.
- Leave one blank square between letters and three between words — crowded lettering is the most common regret.
- Stitch the name last, after the main motif, so you can adjust its position if the design has drifted.
- If the name is long, drop to a smaller alphabet or split it across two lines rather than squeezing.
Stitching neatly on a piece that will be handled
Stockings get lifted, filled and hung every year, so the back matters. Keep all your top stitches crossing the same direction throughout, or the surface catches the light unevenly. Use the loop start rather than knots, and never carry a thread more than a few stitches across the back — dark thread trailing behind pale fabric shows through. Two strands over one aida block is standard, with backstitch outlining in a single strand. A hoop or small frame keeps the tension even, but take the work out of the hoop between sessions to avoid a permanent ring.
Making up and hanging
Wash the finished piece gently in lukewarm water if your hands have marked it, roll in a towel, then press face-down on a folded towel so the stitches stay raised. Line the stocking — even a plain cotton lining stops sweets and small gifts snagging the back of the stitching. A firm loop of ribbon or twill tape stitched into the top seam will hold weight far better than a loop of the stocking fabric alone. Store it flat or loosely rolled in tissue rather than folded, so you do not press permanent creases across the design.
Christmas stocking kit questions
Do the kits include the threads? Yes. Counted cross stitch stocking kits supply the stranded cotton, fabric, needle and chart.
Can I stitch a name on the stocking? Most include an alphabet chart for exactly that. Chart the name on paper and centre it before stitching.
Is the stocking finished or do I sew it up? It depends on the kit — some come pre-shaped, others need lining and seaming after stitching.
Are these suitable for a beginner? A small 14-count design is very manageable for a first project; leave large full-length heirloom stockings until you have stitched a few smaller pieces.
How far ahead should I start? For a full-size stocking, allow several months of evenings, plus time for making up.
