Looking for simple stocking decorating ideas? Here’s a fun idea to make your decor a little more festive with this simple project.
Do you remember the crocheted mushrooms for fall?
I didn’t want Christmas to feel lonely.
So I asked my niece Genevieve, the mushroom crocheter’s sister (who is an amazing crocheter in her own right) if she would make me some mini stockings for Christmas.
I had a stocking plan.
An idea that I hadn’t ever seen before.
A project and a DIY that I knew that I knew that I KNEW would be the cutest project ever.
Genevieve started crocheting and she crocheted and crocheted and crocheted until several weeks later a bag of the cutest mini stockings arrived at the house.
(total aside: I am the luckiest duck of an aunt to have an army of crocheters who live in the neighborhood).
Before we discuss the stocking project—can I ask you a question?
Have you ever noticed that there is a lot of randomness going on around here?
Post after post of utter and complete randomness mixed in with a little shopping and some decorating.
Have you ever thought to yourself?
Where does it all come from?
Here.
This is where all the randomness finds a home.
In my notebook.
In the kitchen in a drawer, I keep a notebook of things that I intend to blog about one day. Blog post ideas and things that make me smile and projects I wish I were talented enough to make someday and observations that make me wonder why.
And those ideas go in here.
In my notebook.
Because I discovered within two weeks of writing the blog that if I didn’t write them down, those fleeting thoughts became just that—fleeting. So I started writing them down and now I have pages and pages and pages of ideas.
Pages of ideas like stocking ideas.
I think I wrote them down on page 235. Just kidding—you know there’s no way I have that many pages of ideas.
Oh, wait.
It was actually page 228 🙂
Here’s my stocking decorating idea.
I took this plate rack in the kitchen.
And then?
I turned it into this.
Doesn’t it look so happy?
It was the simplest of stocking decorating ideas.
All I did was take two different types of ribbon and tie it through the top of the stocking and then loop the other end through the edge of the plate rack and tie a bow.
That’s it.
There are three rows of bow-tied stockings on this plate rack.
SIMPLE Stocking Decorating Ideas
If you have stockings and want to try this project, here are a few of the things I learned along this stocking decorating journey:
- Cut the ribbon longer than you think you need. You can always trim the ribbon, but it’s so hard when the little ends of your ribbon are too short.
- I think it’s so much cuter if the stockings aren’t lined up perfectly.
- I would just start tying the stocking bow and let the stocking twist whichever way it wanted to go.
- Also, I didn’t alternate the ribbons perfectly either (the stockings are alternated red/green/red/green) to give it more of a twist.
But if we are keeping it real around here?
I didn’t actually write this idea down in my notebook.
You see, I had a WAAAAAY better idea for these stockings (or so I thought).
I bought a wire wreath and I was going to make a stocking wreath where I tied all the stockings onto the wreath and the entire wreath would be made completely out of crocheted stockings (now this is the part of the story where you take a sip of coffee and nod and think what a great idea that is).
But actually?
It was such a LAME idea.
The stockings just slid around the wreath and kind of glumped up into one big bunch. I tried to fix it. I tried wrapping the metal wreath. I tried tying the stockings in a pattern. I tried tying the stockings to the edges. I even thought about hot gluing them to the wreath, but I was worried it would damage the stockings and Genevieve worked so hard on them.
Maybe a grapevine wreath?
Maybe asking all of you for ideas?
Or MAYBE…..
….and this is the moment I turned and saw the plate rack and a lightbulb went off.
And in that moment?
I snatched victory from the jaws of project defeat.
Sometimes the notebook doesn’t know best.
Sometimes a brilliant idea happens in the moment.
Sometimes you have to roll with the projects.
And save the other 230 bits of randomness written in the notebook for another project day. 🙂
PS Toni just gave me the most brilliant of ideas!!!! I’m going to make them into an Advent calendar for Buddy—but I have to be so picky about what we feed him. Does anyone have a good recommendation for Christmas dog treats?
PPS For those who don’t crochet or don’t have a niece that crochets and want to create something similar I did a little research and found these. 🙂
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
That is absolutely adorable, and doable with felt or fabric for those of us who are yarn challenged. Randomness? Maybe, near genius? Yes! I'm going to pull out a new notebook and begin to write down my ideas - thanks for the inspiration.
Like you, if I don’t make an immediate not of a brilliant ( of course) idea, it is forever lost! Oh, how I wish I had a crocheter to make these. They are just the cutest! A garland of them would be adorable, too!
So, so, so cute!! Stockings are you of my most favorite part of the holiday! I'm a crocheter, too, do you have a link to that pattern? (I may have missed it but I'm running like crazy to spend the day with the twins in my family.)
Oops, are one of my favorite parts....but you are also one of my favorites!!
This is adorable, KariAnne! How lucky you are to have such talented artisans in your family! Your plate rack is now so cheerful and charming for Christmas!
What a cute idea! Kudos to Geneive for her inspirational base for your BIG idea!❤️
Such a cute idea. The stockings look adorable on the plate rack.
Yes love the notebook. Have one for gardening too. I keep files on my phone with ideas so I have my list with me while shopping. Do it for recipes too. Such a time and brain saver!
I also have a notebook! It goes everywhere I go! Small ones in cars, purse, porch, then transfer to big one- husband calls it my “ Creative Chaos Keeper”! But mine’s not just crafts, it’s books, recipes, people, trips, restaurants, clothes I see in a store and want to go back and look at, good condo rooms to ask for, repair people… I couldn’t live without it! Love the cute stocking idea! A million uses for those! Thanks for all your inspiration!
Okay those stockings?...adorable. but the fact that you had one idea that didn't workout so you flipped the switch to your idea bulb on and your new creation pops out. Amazing..talent. it looks amazing. Did I mention the stockings? Adorable.
I love how this turned out! They are probably more noticeable like this too. So cute!
You are SO cute and SO are these mini stocking! I love how you turned this wreath fail into an adorable display. They are all ready for peppermint sticks and sprigs of cedar from the elves! 😂 Would Genevie be willing to share a tutorial or the pattern? I'm already thinking of next year....cuz this year, this year ... I'm completely booked....but if I start in February I could make 2 to 3 a month ( I'm a slow crocheter) and make an advent calendar with 25 of these little cuties for Christmas 2025! I need a Genevie in my life!
They are so cute. She did a great job. You too! Love it
These stockings are darling and well done. I love crochet items especially around Christmas Nostalgia gets me every time. Love the pivot.
Love , love, love this idea! So cute. What a lovely, talented neice! 🩷
I love your cute decoration and on your plate rack no less! Last year I found some darling knitted little stocking on Amazon and made a "banner" for my fireplace. I took a garland left over from my Christmas tree and strung the stockings on it. It really came out cute and was inexpensive. Keep your brilliant ideas coming. I copy you a lot!
Such a very very cute idea....only I don't crochet or have a niece either! But you could also turn these little stockings into a "advent calendar of sorts" Just attach little cirle numbers to each stocking and then fill them with chocolates or ? for each day! Or save the idea for grandchildren! Or fill it with dog treats for that favorite pooch of yours! Anyway....fun and oh so cute idea!
The creativity abounds here! The stockings on the plate rack look amazing! and Buddy will think so too❣️Well done!!
What a wonderful, cute idea. And putting them on the plate rack just adds to the charm. They would have just been lost on the wreath. Absolutely love this! Big Hugs
These stockings are just so cute! I would love the pattern as I am a crocheter. Do you think your niece would share it? As for Buddy, I don't know what he can eat, but he would probably love a freeze dried chicken treat. I get them on Amazon. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Nutri-Bites-Freeze-Chicken-Protein/dp/B0CNR3ZQ3C/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2VAO36L1DU1R8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WllXitr0oGcimt_0aAMnq3xJJw9izeIx_0TRcEepQXZF6U_d0A6HLvndmeYNfJ7wYJoO7-P_JtoBLRWg_pFcHM_DASD3_HbDA8Ddb6eU61x4kjEls9Cq7rn8pzBdb-s5qHf67z4KyqpQ6PwMohzSDcywOWgL6mEXrXlgZxX-ID_Ok0qqlx5QF6vYE0zlmpVoakif4JfaS_VXbvYeXGr843SiAb56oAFEJm4kMiEN5kvZ-3ZFnpCTZdSYygQsS17rSNtZc9-Sqxl50Mi0CmqUMB0el6eKsHLGJSYuHBVT8WM.nLlqZlT5pJPbOmZac_whxiwL4J_bkBLHzMb1w6tsOXE&dib_tag=se&keywords=freeze+dried+chicken+treats+for+dogs&qid=1733502739&sprefix=freeze+dried+chicken+treats+for+dogs.%2Caps%2C346&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Genieve, you are precious, my dear! The stockings look wonderful! KariAnne, you made these look great. What a fantastic idea!
Merry Christmas! Where did you get the turkey cutting board?
Adorable!! xxp
You are so funny and as cute as those stockings. Clever idea, thanks!!
Soooooo SWEET! Love these sweet lil stockings!
Oh, how cute is that?! How awesome to have such a talented niece. I think that's the top priority to belonging to your family! LOL What a fun idea, KariAnne! Another great light bulb moment! 🥰😄
I really like this! I think handmade items make Christmas decorations more beautiful and meaningful. The plate rack idea is unique, fun, and a great way to display these little cuties 😍.
I wish I could crochet! I had a neighbor who crocheted several different mini stockings and they hold a special place on our tree! I love yours!