Winter Handmade Cocktail Napkins

Cocktail napkins are one of those small details that instantly make winter entertaining feel more thoughtful and special, and I love finding ways to add a handmade touch to our gatherings.

There’s something so cozy about creating pieces that feel personal while still being beautiful enough to set out for guests, especially during the winter months when we spend more time gathered indoors. These winter handmade cocktail napkins are easy to make, endlessly customizable, and the perfect way to bring a little creativity and charm to your seasonal tables, whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a festive celebration.

Winter Handmade Cocktail Napkins

There is something especially charming about winter entertaining. The pace slows, gatherings feel cozier, and the details matter more.

One of my favorite ways to add a thoughtful, handmade touch to winter tables is with hand-embroidered cocktail napkins, and this season I created a set of Winter Handmade Cocktail Napkins featuring delicate snowflake designs.

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These napkins are simple, elegant, and timeless. Each one is stitched onto a white linen, hemstitched cocktail napkin, making them perfect for holiday parties, winter dinners, or everyday use during the colder months.

What makes them extra special is that the snowflake designs are my own. I designed each snowflake specifically for embroidery, and you can download the designs to create your own set.

You can download the free snowflakes right here. Just fill in below.

Once you get the confirmation, just press the back arrow to get back to this blog post.

This project feels elevated yet approachable, even if you are new to embroidery. The stitches are classic, the materials are minimal, and the results are beautiful.

Why I Love Handmade Cocktail Napkins

Cocktail napkins are one of those small details that guests always notice. They are used frequently at gatherings but are often overlooked when styling a table. Handmade cocktail napkins instantly elevate the experience. They feel personal, intentional, and just a little bit special.

I love that embroidered napkins can be used year after year. They are not disposable. They are not trendy in a way that dates quickly. Instead, they become part of your seasonal traditions.

Here are some cocktail napkins I previously created.

These winter snowflake napkins are subtle enough to mix with almost any table setting. They work beautifully with white dishes, metallic accents, greenery, and candlelight. And because each snowflake is stitched by hand, no two napkins are precisely alike.

Supplies You Will Need

To make these Winter Handmade Cocktail Napkins, you will need just a few basic supplies.

• White linen hemstitched cocktail napkins
• Embroidery floss in white or soft winter tones
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery hoop
• Pencil
• Printed snowflake design download
• Scissors

I chose white linen napkins because they are classic and allow the embroidery to stand out subtly and elegantly. Linen is also excellent for stitching. It has enough structure to hold stitches beautifully while still feeling soft and luxurious.

Designing and Transferring the Snowflakes

Each snowflake was explicitly designed for embroidery, keeping stitch paths smooth and shapes balanced. Snowflakes are perfect for embroidery because they naturally lend themselves to symmetry and clean lines.

To transfer the design, I lightly traced the snowflake onto the napkin using a pencil. The keyword here is lightly. You want the pencil marks to guide your stitching without leaving visible lines once the embroidery is finished.

Place the design under the napkin in good light or near a window. Trace gently, keeping your lines as thin as possible. Once the design is transferred, place the napkin in an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut while stitching.

FYI, I used my iPad as a lightbox to help transfer the designs!

Stitches Used for the Snowflake Napkins

I intentionally kept the embroidery stitches on these Winter Handmade Cocktail Napkins classic and straightforward. Every snowflake was stitched using just four hand embroidery stitches, which makes this project approachable even if you are relatively new to embroidery.

I used three strands of thread for all of these stitches. You can use four to six if you want.

The stitches I used are:

• Back stitch
• Satin stitch
• Padded satin stitch
• French knot

Each stitch plays a different role in the design, adding structure, texture, and dimension to the snowflakes.

Back Stitch

The back stitch is the foundation of many of the snowflake designs. I used it to outline arms of the snowflakes and create crisp, clean lines.

How to do a back stitch:

1. Bring the needle up through the fabric at the starting point.
2. Insert the needle back down a short distance ahead along the design line.
3. Bring the needle back up at the end of the previous stitch.
4. Continue stitching backward into the end of the last stitch to form a continuous line.

This stitch creates a smooth, slightly raised outline that works beautifully for geometric designs like snowflakes.

Satin Stitch

The satin stitch is used to fill shapes with smooth, even thread blocks. I used this stitch to fill wider snowflake arms and decorative sections.

How to do a satin stitch:

1. Bring the needle up at one edge of the shape.
2. Take the needle straight across the shape and insert it down on the opposite edge.
3. Bring the needle back up very close to the first stitch.
4. Continue stitching side by side until the shape is filled.

All stitches should lie parallel to one another. Keeping even tension is the key to a polished satin stitch.

French Knot

French knots are one of my favorite embroidery details, and they are perfect for snowflakes. I used them to add texture and small decorative dots, especially in the centers of the designs.

How to do a French knot:

1. Bring the needle up through the fabric.
2. Hold the thread taut with one hand.
3. Wrap the thread around the needle two or three times.
4. Insert the needle back down very close to where it came up, while keeping tension on the wrapped thread.
5. Pull the needle through slowly to form a neat knot on the fabric surface.

French knots add charm and texture and look especially lovely clustered or used as accents.

Padded Satin Stitch

I didn’t use this stitch in my snowflakes, but it sure would look great!

The padded satin stitch creates a raised effect and gives certain parts of the snowflake greater visual weight. I used this stitch sparingly to highlight centers and special details.

How to do a padded satin stitch:

1. Outline the shape with a light back stitch or straight stitch.
2. Fill the shape loosely with a few parallel stitches to create padding.
3. Stitch satin stitches over the padding to completely cover it.

The padding underneath gives the embroidery a dimensional, almost sculpted look.

Stitching the Snowflakes

Once the snowflake is lightly traced onto the napkin and placed in an embroidery hoop, I start stitching from the center and work outward. This helps keep the design balanced.

I typically begin with back stitch outlines, then fill with satin stitch or padded satin stitch where needed, and finish with French knots for texture. Working slowly and intentionally makes the stitching process relaxing and enjoyable.

Because the napkins are small, each one can usually be completed in one sitting, making this a perfect winter evening project.

Finishing the Napkins

When the embroidery is complete, gently remove the napkin from the hoop. Lightly erase any remaining pencil marks if needed. Press the napkin from the back using a pressing cloth to protect the stitching.

Store the napkins flat or lightly folded to keep them looking their best.

How to Use Winter Handmade Cocktail Napkins

These embroidered napkins are incredibly versatile.

• Set them out for winter cocktail parties
• Use them for holiday gatherings
• Style them on a bar cart
• Give them as handmade gifts
• Use them throughout the winter season

They pair beautifully with simple glassware and neutral table settings, letting the embroidery shine.

A Thoughtful Handmade Touch

What I love most about these Winter Handmade Cocktail Napkins is how meaningful they feel. They are not complicated. They do not require expensive supplies. But they add warmth, care, and creativity to any gathering.

Handmade details have a way of slowing us down and reminding us why we love creating in the first place. These napkins are a small project with a significant impact, and I hope they inspire you to try your own set.

You can download the snowflake designs and start stitching today. I look forward to seeing how you use them in your winter entertaining.

Blogger’s Best Winter Decor Ideas

I teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers to share more winter decor and craft ideas.

Cozy Winter Decorating Ideas For A Warm Inviting Home | My Sweet Savannah

Cozy winter decorating ideas with warm neutrals, soft layers, and timeless home staples—plus shoppable inspiration.

Maidenair Ferns, Tin Cans & Twigs | Most Lovely Things

A simple earthy decor idea to freshen up your home after the holidays. Add a thin branch or twig to a delicate Maidenhair fern inside a repurposed tin can.

Cozy winter decorating ideas with warm neutrals, soft layers, and timeless home staples—plus shoppable inspiration.

Winter Decor Ideas | Craftberry Bush

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