~ Sock Dreams ~

Looking up crafty sock ideas to share with you all I found an almost endless ocean of inspiration! It was hard to pick just one DIY idea this week, but turning socks into arm warmers is a perfect blend of fun and useful. We’ve got a couple ways to do it and some links with even more ideas!

Now, for something far more useful, turning one long sock into two cozy arm warmers. You can do it with two socks (matching or unmatching) too, which means you can keep the cuff, but if you’re using widowed socks or the Crafty Bundles, then you likely have just one sock to work with. But I like these kind of warmers a lot as the weather starts getting warmer and everything doesn’t have to be so snug.

The how-to, with links to more tutorials after the jump!

To limit the sewing you’ll need to worry about, choose a sock that is tightly knit, like a t-shirt.. The coarsest knit you should use is something like the M Stripes. A lot of the DreaM Stocking textured styles, like the O Chevrons and Vertically Inclined also react well to being cut.

You’ll need a sock, a needle and thread and scissors.

First, cut the foot and the cuff off your sock, creating a tube of sock. This is a great point to check and see if you’ll need to hem your finished warmers. Gently stretch the cut-off part of the sock—if it rolls, hiding the cut end and doesn’t shed a bunch, then you’re golden!

Now, cut your tube in half, stretching the ends gently after you cut to roll them and finish of the ends. You can stop here and you’ve got two sleeves, like the Chevron Sleeves. But thumb holes are more fun.

Trying on your sleeves, figure out where you want your thumb hole. Use a pin (careful!) or a pen to mark where you will cut.

And cut!

Now, even though your cuts straight across the sock don’t fray, this cut will. You’ll need to break out a needle and thread to finish up. Carefully roll/fold the thumb hole edge, tucking the raw edge inside. Using a sturdy stitch like the backstitch, sew down the edge of the thumb hole, being careful not to pull the thread too tight, you’ll want to retain some of the stretch.

Do the same on the other half and there you have it, arm warmers!

This is a super simplified option. Searching “sock into arm warmer” will bring up dozens of tutorials. One I like is this one at the Brassy Apple, showing a trick to get more length out of the sock by sewing over the heel. At Craft with Confidence there’s a great way to finish the thumb and finger ends of the warmers.

Before I go, I simply have to share this link from Design Sponge on covering vases with socks. It sounds so weird, but I have to admit I like the effect.

Have any of you picked up a Crafty Bundle? If so, what have you made with it?

Posted on Friday, March 11th, 2011 at 10:00 am and filed under: armwarmers, DIY, Reference, Sock Journal.
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