The original template for xmas stockings involved two pieces of pinked felt, with a pinked strip inserted for contrast; a similar pinked strip, looped and attached for hanging, trimmed at the ends with jingle bells. Over time, I've gradually been changing the pattern, and fairly early on, I added tassels to the mix, particularly after I switched from felt hanging loops (which tear) to cords; but the cords don't have the visual weight, which the tassels help to balance.

Some of the tassels I made in 2007 for stockings. Assorted sizes and fibers, including acrylic, wool, silk, and cotton. I was too lazy to set up the copystand, so shot these freehand by the doorwall of my studio at 1/30 sec with natural light, and the clipped reds show my corner cutting all too well.

Last year I hosted family xmas, and between several new family members added, and the backlog that had been piling up (he's only 2, he won't care if I haven't got his stocking done...) I made a lot of them last year. But I only managed to get as far as sewing the pieces together; the finishing touches had to wait. Since then, I've been desultarily working on this project, but as the date indicates, now I really do need to finish this, as xmas2007 is coming very quickly.

So, first step: tassel and cord the stockings from last year. Not all of the tassels shown have designated stockings yet; that's ok. I've found that eventually, a stocking or other use comes along for my various little yarn baubles. No doubt, eventually, I will make a stocking that exactly calls for cream and rust.

file created 17dec07.

Unless otherwise noted, text, image and objects depicted therein copyright 1996--present sylvus tarn.