Donna Kooler's Second Edition Stocking Collection (Leisure Arts #4819): 14 of Donna's Favorite Cross Stich Christmas Stockings Paperback – February 1, 2010

I like this book a bit better than Donna Kooler's first collection, but am still disappointed overall. These stockings take a long time to make and will last a lifetime, so I really want to love the designs. These are okay, but not amazing. I already own 2 of the 14 designs (copied straight from "The Stockings Were Hung" - an excellent book of stocking patterns). There are too many animal, teddy bear, and cartoonish motifs in this book. What is up with all the cats and critters? They keep popping up in unexpected places. Here are some of the better designs:Nostalgic Christmas - beautiful!! I will definitely make this one.Celestial angel - lovely, but copied straight from "The Stockings Were Hung"I love Santas - very nice, although I wish it didn't actually have the words, "I heart Santas" stitched into the design. If I make this one, I'll redesign that to say something else.A few thoughts about some of the other patterns. The best of Christmas is okay, but the dog is front and center with the children being barely identifiable blobs in the background. Winter scene is nice, but feels a bit bleak and cold for a Christmas stocking. Gingerbread mice is sweet, but I wish it was just the gingerbread house/materials without the mice. Cozy Christmas is fun, but a little too busy and has those cats again!!I wish I had saved my money and bought individual patterns that I knew would be just right.

I adore Christmas stockings, I make them as wedding and new baby gifts. They are greatly appreciated and remind the recipient of someone who loves them dearly. This is an awesome collection of stockings by Donna Kooler, the book is well written and the charts are very easy to use, even with my old eyes! My only complaint is that all the stockings face right, they are not the traditional left facing stocking. That is easily overcome by taking the chart to a printer and having him/her make a reverse copy for you. Not such a big deal as I always make a working copy so as not to ruin my original chart or book, it's just an inconvenience going to the printer as I usually make my copies at home.

I don"t like this book as much as her first edition. However, there were a couple that I feel I will use. Contrary to other reviewers, I like the designs with animals. My biggest complaint is the direction. All the other stockings I have made have the toe going left and these go to the right. I have to reverse them and I find that very confusing.

These patterns are very easy to work with. I've made three of these now and my family loves them. Each one takes me 3 to 4 months to do working on them when I get time or watching tv at night. They are great heirlooms that lay forever. My family appreciates the hard work and time that goes into making these.

I love this book. I am making a stocking for my Mom for her great-grandchild and am half-way through. Fun and the charts are easy to read! The price of the book was great and the cost of supplies minimal! I'm having a great time and am learning to love cross-stitching.

There are some really cute (14) stocking designs in this book. There is an angel, several santas, a cute candy nutcracker, a nostalgic design, and more. The designs were stitched on 14 count Aida but they also give the sizes if you wish to stitch on 16 or 18 count. Looking forward to getting started.

I loved the book. I'm on my 10th Christmas Stocking which I give to my grand kids by their first Christmas or before they turn two years old. Love all the patterns - now that the grand kids are done I will start making them for my sons and daughter in laws. This is a life time memory that I know will go on for years to come each time they hang them during the holiday! Thank you.

Cross stitched several of the patterns in this book for family, so far

The 14 designs are delightful for children and adults and I love them all except one - the Nutcracker could be a bit frightening for children. There are designs for children and adults covering Snowmen, Angels, children, delightful little mice building a gingerbread house, a sleigh ride and lots of Santas in exquisite detail. Each has a space for the recipients name and different alphabet charts for each stocking. Every one would become a family heirloom to be brought out every Christmas. Instructions for making up are for a confident crossstitcher. Beautiful.

This is a must for anyone wanting to cross stitch Christmas stockings. Charts are easy to follow and the colour combinations a joy to work. I bought it to do a stocking for our younger grandson in USA but have now been comissioned to do more for two of our other grandchildren. I am just starting the second one and looking forward to doing the third. I have adapted slightly by using half stitches in some areas. Highly recommended.

Lovely paperback book with an abundance of really nice clear patterns, - something for everybody. Several of the patterns are fairly complicated and would not be suitable for a beginner, There are good instructions on how to complete the stockings too. Would recommend.

Good selection of stocking designs suitable for all ages. Fourteen designs in all and all but one in 14 count (one in 18 count that personally I find too small). Clear symbols to follow. As pattern spreads over 4 pages, I photocopied them and taped them together as I found it impossible to follow straight from the book.Enjoy!

Love the book. Well worth the money. The different styles suit children and adults alike. Easy to follow. just wish I had more time on my hands!