We know a few people who’d love to hang up one of these on Christmas Eve! The unicorn craze is still going strong and designer Nicola Valiji has done a fabulous job of bringing the trend into the most wonderful time of the year. This sweet design uses basic stitches but there are quite a few elements and a bit of shaping too. If you’re not a confident stitcher, practise embroidering the eye on a test swatch first.

Whether you string up a garland underneath a mantelpiece, hang a selection on your tree, or use them to make a unique advent calendar, we know that Emma Varnam’s stocking patterns are for keeps. She has designed four mini makes – two knitted and two crocheted – so that whatever your abilities you can well and truly deck the halls! They’re just the right size for holding a chocolate coin or wrapped sweet.

Our stocking and gift bag are both excellent projects if you’re short of time, or for a first foray into felting and basic colourwork. The only actual knitting is the festive band decorating the top of the stocking, and the patch on the pouch. The stocking is made from the felted body of an old jumper, and the gift pouch from a sleeve! How cool is that?! If you don’t have a jumper to spare, have a look around the local charity shops—they can be a great source for felting supplies. Start now and make stockings for the whole family, and cute little pouches to hold special gifts!

Thousands of little ones will be celebrating their first Christmas this year. Why not make a special stocking like this one to fill with gifts for your own prince or princess? By combining scraps of vintage linen and lace with pretty embroidery, you can create a family heirloom to treasure for years to come.

Embroider, patchwork or appliqué a collection of handmade stockings by Carolyn Letten.

Whether you want to hang it on the mantelpiece or give it as a gift, this sweet stocking by Sachiyo Ishii is a lovely meditative knit to work on during the busy Christmas season.

One of the most exciting parts of Christmas day for a child (or adult, ahem) is finding a stocking at the end of the bed, filled with little pressies to open. Although this ritual encourages waking up at unearthly hours, it is nostalgic for us grown-ups all the same. Recreate the magic for a child in your life by making this delightful project. As you embark on the pattern, just remember that the abbreviation ‘cl’ means cluster.

Stitch yourself and your family a collection of delightful stockings for Santa to fill on Christmas Eve. Created from only three cotton fabrics, the design features an appliqué motif and stitching inspired by traditional Victorian paper doilies.

Stitch up a traditional stocking for Christmas with our easy guidelines! Follow our colour scheme or pick your own to match the rest of your decs.

Decorate your mantelpiece with these teeny designs. Nothing says Christmas quite like adorable miniature socks being placed around your home. These easy-to-make stockings have so many uses, from a fireplace garland, to little tree decorations, or alternatively fill each one with treats for a cute advent calendar idea. They are worked in the round to create the toe and gusset, while the heel is worked back and forth before the yarn is re-joined to create the ankle. Play around with block colours and stripes; your yarn pack will make five mini stockings or six with plain Green.

Many of us who own sewing machines only use straight and zigzag stitches in our every day work. To extend your skills, why not experiment with a few of the more decorative options. This festive collection is made from a mixture of old and new material, so feel free to use scraps of trimming from your stash. We’ve combined vintage ticking, second-hand denim and some gorgeous soft cotton paisley and floral prints, which are reminiscent of cosy winter nighties and pyjamas. So what are you waiting for - it’s time to get your sewing box out and start rummaging!

The finished result will make a fantastic heirloom that you can keep in your family for many years to come.

Knitted on two needles, this pattern from popular LK designer Val Pierce follows the classic sock construction with a little bit of colourwork for added festive flavour. The Spot pattern and snowflake motif could be Swiss darned instead, if you prefer.

The carrots are out, the milk is sat neatly with the cookies, and the living room is set for a memorable Christmas Eve. Joining the hexagons in Ali Campbell’s stocking project can be a little tricky, so make sure you check out the chart.

Add funky flair to your home this Christmas with Helen Philipps’ gorgeous stocking.

Embrace the Christmas spirit by putting a modern spin on a traditional festive favourite.

A new festive favourite, Lucinda Ganderton’s design combined crocheted granny squares in a stocking shape to create the ultimate decoration. Choose from two different designs and you can even choose your own colours to suit your festive theme.

Combine colourful wool fibres in patterns of your choice for eye-catching effects.

This classic socking transforms simple crochet seed stitch into something truly special with just a change of color. Using nothing but single crochet and chain stitches, even beginner crocheters can create this charming seamless stocking. The pattern is taken from Christmas Crochet for Heath, Home and Tree by Edie Eckman (£10.99, Storey Publishing)