Needlepoint Santa Wool and Cotton Christmas Stocking - Red

This needlepoint Christmas stocking brings a traditional Santa to the fireside, made from wool and cotton and set on a deep navy ground. Santa fills the front panel in his red hat trimmed with white, with a full white beard, round spectacles and a sack spilling over with wrapped presents, while white snowflakes drift across the night sky behind him. A plain red cuff runs across the top, red piping follows the outline, and a small red loop at the corner slips over a hook. It measures 44cm tall and 25cm across, and at about half a centimetre deep it lies flat against a wall or mantel.

Hang it from the mantelpiece, a staircase banister, a bedroom door handle or a hook on the wall, and it becomes part of the Christmas dressing as soon as the decorations come out. At 44cm tall there is a good amount of room inside for small presents, sweets and a satsuma tucked into the toe for Christmas morning. The needlepoint picture has an old-fashioned charm that suits a traditional scheme of reds and greens, a cosy cottage sitting room or a hallway dressed with garlands. We think it makes a thoughtful Christmas gift too, the kind of piece that comes out of the decorations box year after year.

Needlepoint builds the picture up stitch by stitch in small, even squares of colour, and the red piped edge frames it neatly. To keep it looking its best, shake off dust gently, spot clean any marks with a barely damp cloth rather than soaking it, and let it dry flat away from direct heat. Between seasons, store it flat in a dry place so the cuff and stitching keep their shape, and hang it well away from an open flame or a lit candle. Fill it with a few small treats before you hand it over and the gift is ready to hang.

How big is the needlepoint Santa stocking?

It measures 44cm tall and 25cm across, and it is slim at about half a centimetre deep, so it hangs flat against a mantel or wall.

What is the stocking made of?

The stocking is made from wool and cotton, with the Santa picture worked in needlepoint on a navy ground and finished with a red cuff and red piping.

How does the stocking hang?

A small red loop at the top corner of the cuff slips over a hook, a stocking holder or a door handle, so it is quick to put up each December.

Is there room inside for presents?

Yes, at 44cm tall there is room for small gifts, sweets and a satsuma in the toe, which makes it a lovely stocking to fill on Christmas Eve.

How should I look after a needlepoint stocking?

We suggest shaking off dust gently and spot cleaning marks with a barely damp cloth, then letting it dry flat away from direct heat rather than soaking it.