DIY: Cozy Sweater Stockings

Handmade Sweater Knit Stocking

I absolutely love the look of soft cozy knits in the winter. If it were up to me I’d enshroud my entire apartment in knit blankets, rugs, pillows and drapes!

But since that’s not currently possible – I’ve had to satiate my urges to make everything soft and fluffy in a different way. Rather than go out and purchase a set of readymade holiday decor, I decided to handcraft a set of rustic Christmas stockings on my own. Utilizing pre-loved knit men’s sweaters, these elegant and wintery gift socks were quick to make and added just the right amount of cheer to our fireplace mantle. Follow my easy instructions below to craft a set of stocking for your home or to give as a gift to your favorite homebody!

DIY Eco-Friendly Knit Sweater Christmas Stockings

Supplies you’ll need: Sharp fabric scissors, knit sweaters (you’ll get 2 stockings out of 1 sweater), yarn for hanging, white thread, sewing machine, embellishments.

DIY Sweater Christmas Stockings

  1. Gather up your supplies. Think soft, cozy, and creamy colors.
  2. You’ll need a stocking template. I used the one off Martha Stewart’s website as a loose guide.
  3. Cut out the stocking shape using two layers of your sweater fabric.
  4. Bring the two right-facing sides together and stitch along the sides and bottom, leaving the top un-sewn.
  5. Cut 3-4 inches of yarn. Fold the top of the stocking over an inch around the top and pin the yarn on either side of the top back seam (the one that leads to the heel of the stocking).
  6. Sew across the top of the stocking hem using a zig zag stitch. This will keep the top from fraying and separating as you stuff the stocking with presents.
  7. Choose your stocking embellishments. These will add color, texture and spice to your stocking. You may also want to consider using something that will help identify which stocking belongs to which family member.
  8. Hang, fill with presents and enjoy!

DIY Sweater Stocking Eco-Friendly Chrristmas

Featured Design: A Perfect Gent

Pierogi Picnic: Handmade Eco-Friendly Men's Cotton Bow Tie

Who doesn’t love a dapper looking gent?! This new incarnation of the classic “Perfect Gent” Pierogi Picnic bow tie design has a new texture and feel, making it even easier to pair with a guy’s everyday wardrobe. Handmade using sweatshirt fabric scraps, the “Perfect Gent” bow ties have a solid structure, soft feel, and clip on back, making it a fast way to add a dash of gentlemanly charm to any outfit. Coming in a variety of sizes, it makes a fantastic stocking stuffer too! Check out the full link of “Perfect Gent” bow ties here.

News: I Love Chicago Boutique

ilovechicagopic

I am super excited to have been approached by a new boutique which opened its doors at O’Hare International Airport earlier this month: I Love Chicago!

This incredibly-well curated little boutique offers handmade goodies from artisans from the area, allowing international travelers who are buzzing through Terminal 5 a chance to scoop up a true blue Chicago souvenir.

We are currently stocking the store with our popular Sweet Stitch embroidered sweatshirts, Flirty Flounce peplum tops, Grunge Love totes, men’s Smash Shirts, Perfect Gent bow ties, and a new, yet to be release online scarf design called Chevron Sweetie.

So next time you’re zipping through O’Hare – be sure you take a moment to swing by this great little shop to stock up on some of your Pierogi Picnic faves!

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $40

Pierogi Picnic Gift Guide: Under 40

In our second holiday gift guide we’ve gathered up our top eight favorite Pierogi Picnic pieces under $40, to help you along with your shopping lists. With a little bit of something for everyone, it’s a great price range where you’ll really get a lot of bang for your buck!

Urban Folk printed tunic $40
Waiting On You vintage shirt dress $36
Season’s Greetings handmade dress $36
Ms Spring revamped vintage dress $36
Freshly Picked eco tank $36
Cosby Skirt fitted knit $36
Cherry Confetti vintage t-shirt $24
Craving Cranberries vintage dress $36

Featured Design: Peek A Boo Chevron

Pierogi Picnic: Handmade Eco-Friendly Mustard Yellow Chevron Lace Cardigan

It’s the perfect time of year for layering up and cozying yourself out! So when choosing a design feature for this week – the choice was easy to make: The Peek A Boo Chevron Cardigan. Handmade using upcycled t-shirt cotton, this adorable top has an open facing front, gorgeous inset lace detailing in a chevron pattern in the back, and a gorgeous mustard yellow hue. It’s a great top for wearing over a t-shirt and fitted skirt, or for dressing up with a festive dress. Be sure to scoop one of these bad boys up before the holiday rush!

An Indie Biz: Design Theft

UO versus PP

It’s becoming a growing issue within the handmade community- and one that it’s high time we addressed here on Pierogi Picnic: Design Theft. Having become one of the latest victims, I have chosen to speak out in the hopes of raising awareness of this burgeoning trend.

My first encounter with this phenomenon was many years ago at a Renegade craft fair. I was making my merry way around the booths when I stumbled upon a vendor who had a “no photos please” sign up in her tent. I inquisitively asked behind her reasoning – thinking it was a shame to discourage people from photographing and promoting her work. She shared her actual purpose: to prevent idea theft. She explained that large companies send out “spies” to fairs such as Renegade in the hopes of scooping up inspiration for their next season of designs. I was shocked, appalled, and in somewhat disbelief. How could it really be?!

That had been my first time hearing about these alleged scouts, and at the time, I wondered if the vendor’s concern had any basis. Sadly, many years later, I know her fears were well founded. Continue reading

Events & Sales: Birthday Surprise!

Pierogi Picnic: Birthday Surprise!

Today is the day I graduate into a new age-decade! It’s my thirtieth birthday!!!!!!!

Moving beyond my twenties into the big 3-0 deserves all forms of celebrating – including a special one-day-only coupon code for you!

For the first time ever, use the following coupon code on ANY purchase in the Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop, and you’ll get 30% off your total purchase: birthdaysurprise30 That INCLUDES made to order items too! Yeah! Just pop in the code during check-out and you’ll see the discount reflected in your total.

So join with me in all my birthday festivities and get shopping! The coupon code expires at midnight!