We have a twist on a Christmas stocking DIY using vintage stocking stretchers! It’s not the type of Christmas stocking that you can stuff goodies into – although you could very well adapt it that way! This Christmas stocking DIY is purely for home decor.
As evidenced by this Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket inspired upcycle, you may know how much I love stripes! I think a Canadian Christmas can’t be without Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket Stripes! Even if it’s only ‘inspired by’ :).
Sock Stretcher
I’m using vintage sock stretchers for this project. If you don’t know what a sock stretcher is, it’s a device typically made of wire that was used to dry hose or socks to keep their shape. 
If you can’t find a sock stretcher, you can probably bend a coat hanger into the shape you see below.
Time for our Monthly Blog Hop
It’s time for another Creative Craft blog hop hosted by Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate and Andrea from Design Morsels! So if you are visiting from Debbee’s Buzz, welcome! At the very bottom of this post, I’ll be directing you to the next stop on this venture. But don’t forget to check out the other stops too. Be sure to drop back in throughout the week to visit them all!
Materials for Christmas Stocking DIY
Along with the sock stretchers, you’ll also need some cotton yarn in red, blue, yellow, green and white as shown. You may be tempted to use a larger crochet hook. However, I used a 3.5 mm crochet hook for this project. That’s because if you crochet loosely, you’ll get just the perfect tension for creating the I-cord. Also, a loose tension helps you remove the three stitches from the hook
Crochet I-cord – Create Colour Blocks
Staring with white, ch 4. Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, yarn over and draw up a loop, insert hook into next ch, yarn over and draw up a loop, insert hook into next ch, yarn over and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook).
Row 1: Drop 3 loops from hook. Hold onto the dropped loops with your non-hook hand so they don’t come undone. Speaking about not coming undone, I find dollar this store yarn tricky to work with because because it has multiple plies. Because it’s not twisted sufficiently tight. it’s easy to accidentally drop some of the plies. So pay close attention if you’ll be using a similar yarn from the dollar store!
Yarn over and draw through the loop on hook. Insert hook into first dropped loop, yarn over and draw through (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into second dropped loop, yarn over and draw through (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into third dropped loop, yarn over and draw through (4 loops on hook).
Repeat Row 1 for 30 rows. On the 30th row, crochet the first 2 sts with white. Then switch to blue on the last st to change colours.
Carry the White
Repeat row 1 with blue for another 15 rows. While crocheting all other colours, be sure to carry the white at the back, through the centre of the I-cord. To illustrate how easy it is to carry the white, I’ve demonstrated how to do it in the video.
On the 15th row, crochet the first 3 sts in blue. Then switch to white for the last st. Cut blue yarn, leaving a long yarn end. Continue with white for a total of 10 rows.*
In the same way you do the blue colour block, you will continue the same pattern for the rest of the colours.
In summary, here is the order of the colour blocks from start to finish:
- White – 30 rows
- Blue – 15 rows
- White – 10 rows
- Yellow – 15 rows
- White – 10 rows
- Red – 15 rows
- White – 10 rows
- Green – 15 rows
- White – 10 rows
- Green – 15 rows
- White – 10 rows
- Red – 15 rows
- White – 10 rows
- Yellow – 15 rows
- White – 10 rows
- Blue – 15 rows
- White – 34 rows.
In contrast, note that on the second sock form, I reversed the colours by starting with green instead of blue.
Finishing Crochet I-cord
There are several ways to end an I-cord. But as you’ll see in the video, I slip stitched through each loop on the hook in the final row until the last stitch. Then I cut the yarn, leaving a tail and brought it through the last loop on the hook.
Hide all the ends by threading them onto a wide-eye needle and weaving them up through the middle of the tube.
Open the Vintage Sock Form
Here’s a close-up of the top of the sock stretcher.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come apart. So you must pry apart the top of the sock form in order to thread the I-cord tube onto the wire.
Gather up a block of wood, hammer, nail punch and work bench. Then watch the video to see how Hubs does this.
Thread on the I-cord
Unless you cover the end of the wire, you may find that the yarn will snag. Provided that you cover one of the ends with something, it should go relatively smoothly. For that reason, I found a cap in Hubs’ kiting kit to cover the tip of the hook. At any rate, if you don’t have anything similar, just wrap the end with a piece of plastic and tape it to the wire.
Starting at one end, guide the I-cord onto the wire through the middle. Move the I-cord along the wire as you go until you reach the other end. Close the hook.
Watch the Video!
Christmas Stocking DIY Decor – Ready to Hang
Your Christmas stocking DIY can hang from one screw if you hang them one above the other.
Attach the second one with a carabiner hook. Or if you don’t mind an extra hole in the wall, add another screw.
Either way, your Christmas stocking DIY is now ready to hang with your Christmas decor. But these stockings aren’t the only point blanket inspired project we have for you! Although the vintage bubble gum machine filled with painted acorns is cute with our Christmas stocking DIY, this isn’t the final vignette.
Because I can hardly contain my excitement, below you can see a sneak peek of our next project! Check back on Monday for a reveal you won’t want to miss!
Visit this link for more fun I-cord ideas and crochet projects. Want more holiday inspiration? Check out these 31 Christmas Craft Ideas for Adults!
Christmas Stocking DIY – Pin and Subscribe
Hope you enjoyed our Christmas stocking tutorial. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated!
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Holiday Ideas from the Creative Craft Blog Hop
To get into the Christmas spirit, you have to check out these amazing posts:
- Make An Extra Long Swag
- Make An Centerpiece for a Narrow Table
- DIY Grinch Gnome
- Upcycled Gift Tins
- Christmas Terrarium
- Chocolate Covered Snowman Pretzels
- DIY Christmas Gnome Garland
- Thanksgiving Table Favors
- Velvet Christmas Flower Picks
- Create Festive Frosted Candle Holders in 2 Easy Steps
- DIY Christmas Vintage Cutting Boards Vignette
- 5 Minute Mason Jar Candle Lamps
- DIY Farmhouse Simple Joy Canvas
- Quick and Easy DIY Thanksgiving Table Ideas
Sara, what a unique and clever project! Never heard of stocking stretchers, wherever did you find yours? Crocheting the cord to cover the metal was brilliant! As always, your tutorial is easy to follow and well illustrated too.
Thanks Debbee. We see these all the time when we go antiquing – especially at the indoor antique malls. They’ve always intrigued me 🙂
Sara this is so cute. I thought I couldn’t make it but I watched your tutorial video. It was great! You are really good at teaching crochet. Thanks for being in the hop today.
Thanks for that lovely compliment Andrea! I love hearing that my tutorials are easy to follow. If you ever give it a try, you’ll have to let me know 🙂
What a lovely stocking tutorial, Sara! I love the colors you used and the simple silhouette of the stocking. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks Cecilia! Our Thanksgiving was in October (we’re Canadian). Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Gee Sara, this is amazing! I’ve never seen anything like this! Thanks so much for sharing! It’s quite unusual and a unique item to decorate for the holidays or use in everyday decor, too!
Thank you Gail; appreciate it :). We’ll definitely use it every day. It’s hanging in our front hall and will likely stay there year-round.
Sara this is creative. Love how they look on your wall. They would be cute on a tree or even on a wreath. Super cute!
Thanks Terrie! Love your suggestions!
Adorable, Sara! Another cute craft that makes me wish I knew how to crochet.
Thanks Kim – watch the video and you’ll see how easy it is :).
Very cute idea sara.
Thanks so much Anita!
What a cute creation! I would have never thought to crochet a cover for the metal, and they turned out so adorable! What do you think the purpose of sock stretchers was…keeping them from shrinking after washing?? Anyway thank you for the detailed tutorial!
Jenna
Yes, exactly Jenna! They would be used to keep the wool socks from shrinking. They would also be used for newly knitted socks to help block them into shape.
Looks amazing and I have always wanted to learn how to crochet! It looks so cozy too 🙂 Wonderful crafting with you
Thanks Chas; this project is a pretty easy project once you learn. Wonderful crafting with you too!
Wow! In my 32 years of crocheting I’ve never known how to crochet a cord like that! Very good idea— I pinned it.
Awesome Liberty – thanks for pinning! If you know crochet, this should be a very easy project. I actually think even a beginner could do it. You should give it a try sometime!
Adorable! I love your cheery combination of colors too! Happy to be hopping with you again!
Thanks Mary; I do love bright colours! Great hopping with you too 🙂
Love this and one of these days I’m going to have hubby help me make the wooden ones.
.Cute project!
I’d love to make over some wooden ones too! Can’t wait to see your project Cindy!
Such a cute project. I never heard of or saw a sock stretcher! There should be all kinds of crafts you could make with those. I might have my eyes open for them! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I know – the possibilities are endless! Next year I’d like to make a wreath with them 🙂
Sara, I’d never heard of a sock stretcher, either. What a creative upcycle! I love your colorful, modern take on Christmas decor. Learning to crochet is on my bucket list. You make it look so easy! It was fun hopping with you again. Pinned 🙂
I guess you could say that crochet is making a comeback (although it never really went away)! I love the modern possibilities; you should definitely give it a try Rebecca.
Great idea and tutorial for the holiday decorations.
What a cute idea! I love to crochet – it’s so relaxing! I’ve never tried to crochet I-Cord, though. This is just so cute!
Thanks Michelle! I just love i-cord; I’ve done several projects now with i-cord. You should try it; if you already crochet, it’s easy peasy (and even if you’re new to it). Here’s a link if you’re interested: http://birdzofafeather.ca/tag/i-cord-ideas/
Thank you!! I’ll be trying this as soon as I get time. 🙂
Awesome; if you have any questions when you do, don’t hesitate to ask 🙂
I’m not familiar with sock stretchers, but this project turned out really cute and colorful. Happy Holidays.
Thanks Carol – happy holidays to you too 🙂
Love the point blanket vibe you gave these Sara. Very clever repurpose for the holidays!
Thanks Marie! What I love most is that it works for the holidays, but I also keep these up year round and they fit right in with our decor no matter what time of year 🙂