Home Sewn Socks in 2010

Last week, as I sat shivering in the cold Michigan winter, I lamented how quickly soft fuzzy socks lose their fuzz, and shape. They are made for 1 size fits all, but let's face it, they get stretched out quickly, because they are made to stretch up to a size 10 foot, which my feet are not.

I marveled at how soft and warm and cozy my scarf arm warmers were, and was struck by inspiration. Surely these dollar store scarves would work for socks, too, right?

I had some scarves left over from my Christmas projects (and, I'll admit, I'm contemplating picking up 2-3 more to have on hand for next year's crafts, in case they don't get them in again), and started to think. Of course, today was my first day kid-free (though, Nick took today off as one of his floating holiday days, so I wasn't husband free), and I decided a few minutes ago to try my hand.

My first idea was to cut the material at an angle, so there was a definite foot section, and definite leg section. I wasn't sure just where to perform the cut, though, so I opted to first sew a tube, with one end sewn shut. I'm glad I didn't cut it.

I worried that without elastic, there would be nothing to hold my new socks up, but the stretch around my legs did that just fine. I worried that it wouldn't fit, but a quick check with my actual arm warmers showed that it would indeed stretch enough to fit around my feet.

And, here I sit, warm and cozy with my 10 minute home made fuzzy socks that cost me just $1.

How did I make them? See below.

Homemade Fuzzy Socks

You'll need:
1 skinny, fuzzy scarf from Dollar Tree
Sewing Maching
Feet, to try them on

1. Cut the scarf in half. The ends of these scarves have a solid block of color, where as the in betweens of the scarf are striped. I opted to make the solid block of color my toe section. Forget measuring the scarf, as it will become shorter when it stretches as you pull it on.
2. Fold the scarf in half. Yes, this makes it appear impossibly skinny for a human, adult foot, but I assure you, this is what you want. Pin it into place, then decide where you want the seam. I choose to have my seam run along the side of my foot, not under it, and I barely notice it. 
3. Once you've decided where the seam will go, sew one end of the sock shut, rounding it off, and trimming the excess (otherwise, you get boxy toes).
4. Sew straight down the open side, pulling the fabric to stretch it slightly as you do. This gives it a bit of elasticity for stretch.
5. Trim the seam as closely as you can, along with the threads. Turn it inside out, stretch it open like you would a pair of tights, and start pulling it on. 

 

 These fit me snuggly, like no other socks ever do. They feel custom made to my feet! They are warm, and cozy, though maybe not as fuzzy as socks you buy for $3 a pair in the winter. I love them!

I wear a size 8 shoe. These fit me great, and have some extra stretch. I don't think anyone would have a problem with these fuzzy tube socks with size, because they stretch all the way around.  I did not stitch up the raw edge at all, because I didn't want it to constrict how wide the sock would open for me.

I have 1 scarf left. Maybe 2. My next plan is to make 1 scarf and some fleece into two pairs of slipper socks. It might not work for 2 pairs. We'll see!!

Linked up at:

http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/01/made-it-monday-label-those-keys.html

Fingerless Gloves for $1

For a while now, my 13 year old daughter has been saying she wants a pair of fingerless gloves. She's a bit eclectic in her tastes. She's more at home in old vintage T's (or, vintage inspired), and a pair of jeans, than anything else. She loves wrist bands, and bracelets, and what not.

Today, as I was surfing new blogs, I found one that showed how to turn a pair of socks into a pair of finger less gloves. I was definitely excited by the prospect, because I could find something really cool at Dollar Tree for the project.

Fingerless Arm warmer Gloves

What You'll Need:
1 pair of socks- at least crew length or longer. Ankle or no show won't work.
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Thread

The socks I chose were a perfect fit for Raegan with a tan, blue, black, and green argyle pattern.

1. First off, you want to cut the feet off the socks, right above the heel, so you are left with the leg portion. Set the feet aside for future project scraps.
2. Turn the sock inside out, and roll the cut end down to form a hem.
3. Using the sewing machine and the zigzag stitch, sew the hem around the sock to keep it from fraying. You can trim the extra length from the hem, as it tends to roll outward otherwise.
4. Pull the sock on your arm, with the elastic side going up your arm. Measure where you want the thumb hole, and with help, safety pin the two sides together where you want the fingers to be separated.
5. Carefully pull the socks off, and clip a small hole for your thumb.
   
6. Using the sewing machine again, stitch a straight or zig zag stitch around the thumb hole to keep it from stretching too wide. Tack the sock together where each safety pin is, to create finger holes.
   

Raegan loves her new gloves, though I think next time around, I'll cut the thumb hole further down, so I can have the gloves go further down her fingers. They are cute, though, and just her style. She already said she can't wait to show them off at school tomorrow!