Stitcher:

Designer:

Stitcher's comments:

Harrison is only five years old, but I am of the theory that he will be a grown-up longer than he'll be a child. I stitch adult stockings for my grandchildren as I did for my children.

It took me over a year to come up with a stitch plan. The stocking was so beautifully painted that I didn't want to ruin it with too many busy stitches. I also wanted to stitch a different border around Santa's cape and sleeves. Liz had painted hearts and I wanted a more sophisticated look. After taking a class from Joan Thomasson on designing angels, it occurred to me to cover Liz's border with tent stitch and do a blackwork pattern on top of it.

There are very few decorative stitches on the stocking. I used many, many different threads. I used Petite Peluche to give the hint of snow on the tree branches. I used Silken Chenille in long stitches for the tassels. I wanted them flat because I wanted the focus to be on Santa's face and the horse's head. I used two strands of Waterlilies in two or three colors to achieve the windblown look of the mane. For the beard I used Peluche in long stitches and brushed it back, again to look windblown. For Santa's face I mixed many different tones of Splendor silk to get the shading. I used several colors of Impressions for all the French knots for the fur on Santa's cape and hat, hoping to achieve a Persian-lamb-fur look

For the cape closures, I bought sterling silver ear studs in graduated sizes and connected them with a silver chain. I stitched over the reins and then couched patent leather where the painted reins were. I used found objects for the bridle.

After taking classes from Joan Thomasson, Amy Bunger and Marion Scoular, I applied what I'd learned from them and came up with the plan to stitch Harrison's stocking. They deserve a piece of the prize too. I feel classes are so wonderful! You might not think you will use it all, but it's amazing what the brain retains and comes out with when you need it.