Bittersweet Stocking

Bittersweet Stocking, approx. 11” long. Punched with yarn. Designed and hooked by Lori Brechlin at Notforgotten Farm, Amherst, Virginia, 2019.

I love all things autumn and Hallowe’en. I start decorating in late August, early September! There is something magical about the changing colors of our beloved farm surroundings. Our woods and fields come alive with newfound exuberance—late-summer yellows fade to rusts, while once-bright purple flowers take on a mellow note. Colors nod toward the jewel-tones of red sumac and ripening bittersweet vines.

And so it goes with my designing and needlework. I will absorb those colors and be inspired by my surroundings to hook, punch, and stitch as the wheel of the year turns to the colder months once again.

I have one grapevine wreath that I keep out all year through; it hangs on the side of my old farmhouse and I decorate it for the seasons. Wanting something a bit different for this autumn, I was inspired to make this small bittersweet stocking to hang on the wreath.

I also made a few flowers to tuck inside my stocking for a bit of whimsy.

Hook this design, or punch it. Nothing makes me happier than sharing my love of wool, so I am thrilled to share this bit of my heart-work with you!

You will be using two different-size Oxford Punch needles, to give a dimensional effect to your stocking.

Or use only the #10 and use 1⁄4" wool strips of wool instead.

Transfer the stocking template and three flower templates to your rug backing, using the black marker.