Something came over me while decorating for Christmas this last holiday season. I decided it was time to update our Christmas stockings. Surely, I could knit some new ones. I could sew something spectacular. I could even purchase new stockings! But, no, I had to make the most meticulous stockings. Stockings that if I really put in the work I could probably do one a year.
The all-time-consuming nature of this isn’t even the hardest part of this reality. I do okay with things that take effort and time….especially if something beautiful or delicious is at the end. The worst part of this decision is the COST. I didn’t realize!
Needlepoint.
I remember buying needlepoint kits at Hobby Lobby when I was a kid. You can buy some on Amazon. Turns out there a whole other way to do this hobby…. the expensive way. I went to my local needlepoint shop, where the most wonderful women alive work, and told them I was ready to take on the Christmas stocking!
The snazziest woman with stacks of diamond rings helped me pick out a canvas. So, here’s where it gets pricey….yep, the first step is where it gets expensive and it just keeps going. I’ll tell you right now that my canvas was over $300. Turns out these are handpainted works of art, that then you go over with a beautiful piece of thread (wool, cotton, or silk, etc).
This snazzy woman had faith in my ability to take on the project when I told her I knit. Even though her prejudice is for needlepoint and not knitting (ha!), she said I was “needle-friendly” And this is my new FAVORITE TERM.
It is basically paint by numbers and is so doable for anyone! When my canvas finally came in, I then had to buy the thread. Another incredibly helpful woman picked out amazing threads for me. I used an old visa gift card that I held onto but still paid $400 for thread. This is embarrassing. Like, how do these women do this??? I realize a stocking is a much bigger piece than a Christmas ornament or a coaster, but this stocking is the reason why we won’t be buying a new couch anytime soon.
Why am I even mentioning the price? Honestly, because I don’t want to wax poetic about how lovely it is to create, how it will be an heirloom piece, how I will love these for years to come, how it is meditative to work on at night. etc. Only to encourage someone to take this up themselves and be completely gobsmacked by the price! I recommend knitting or sewing for all of these reasons. :)
I didn’t even mention that once you have completed the needle work, you then pay for someone to “finish” it. Which, I guess I could finish it into a stocking myself. I know how to sew! But, after all this work and investment I think I will send it in to the person that does this day in and out.
When I go into the needlepoint shop it is tempting to get a canvas for a pillow, or an ornament, or a nativity set! There are so many incredible things these women make. But, I will not be tempted by these shiny things! I miss my sewing machine too much and I have my knitting to work on.
I am in the home stretch with this stocking. I’ve already decided to NOT do one for myself or for my husband. I will only do these for our three daughters….one a year for the next three years. Hoping to find finished ones that say “mom” and “dad” at an estate sale at some point in life.
I miss sewing. I have a dress cut out and some patterns patiently waiting their turn. So, with all this said, I am going to put my head down even MORE and wait to publish another newsletter until this has been completed!
Thank you for reading. Please know I am embarrassed by the amount of my budget has gone to this. I am a finisher, so it is what it is!
Love,
Elissa
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