Treasured Trio

Basket-Weave Stocking

Large-mesh needlepoint canvas and inexpensive satin ribbon form the clever groundwork for a stocking that goes together in minutes. Finished size is approximately 18 inches.

Weave memories with this
ribbon stocking.

• 1/2 yard large-mesh (quickpoint) needlepoint canvas (4 holes per inch)
• 1/2 yard green fabric for backing and piping
• 1-1/2 yard of 1/2-inch cording
• 3/4 yard trim or fringe for cuff
• 22 total yards of 1/4-inch-wide single-face satin ribbon in forest green, mint green, sage green, celery green, pastel green, soft pine, and pale peach
• 1 bottle coordinating green acrylic crafts paint
• 1-inch-wide artist's brush
• Large-eye tapestry or quickpoint needle
• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks

1. Download the free pattern. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.) Enlarge the pattern to scale by drawing a grid of 1-inch squares and copying the lines, square by square, from the pattern. Or enlarge it on a photocopier (this will require several passes).

2. Soak canvas in warm water to remove sizing. Wring out and dry flat.

3. Cut stocking back from green fabric, adding 2 inches at top for cuff and 3/4-inch seam allowances. Set aside.

4. Align top of canvas selvage with top of pattern. Cut out stocking, adding seam allowances to other edges. Dilute paint with equal amount of water. Press canvas flat and paint thoroughly. Press again when dry.

5. Cut ribbons to 12-inch lengths. Begin weaving in the first row of holes below the selvage. Beginning at the right side of the stocking, weave the ribbons through the canvas in the following manner: Row 1: over 5, under 1, over 5, under 1, etc. Row 2: over 4, under 1, over 5, under 1, etc. Row 3: over 3, under 1, over 5, under 1, etc. Remaining rows: The exposed canvas thread should shift one to the left on each row, creating a diagonal pattern. Weave entire stocking front in this manner so canvas is covered except for single exposed threads.

6. Sew around stocking to secure ribbons. Trim excess ribbon.

7. Cover cording with 3-inch-wide bias strips, piecing as needed. Hand-tack one end of piping closed and align with top edge of stocking. Sew cording to stocking along seam line. Trim piping at other end and hand-tack closed.

8. Hem top edge of stocking back. Turn under again to fit stocking front. Sew stocking front to back along seam line. Trim seam allowances and turn to right side.

9. Add ribbon, trim, and bow. Sew or glue 6-inch ribbon to upper corner for hanging. Sew trim or fringe around upper edge. Tie double layer of organdy ribbon into a bow and tack to cuff.