How to Embroider Socks

Give plain socks a new look with embroidery.

Use any small embroidery pattern to add a decorative design to a pair of socks. The most common place to embroider socks is near the top opening, since it is the easiest spot to insert the hoop. Use a single color or multiple colors to give an old pair of socks a new look, or to create the perfect pair to match an outfit or special occasion. Keep in mind that you will likely need to do the embroidery twice when you choose your pattern, one time for each sock in the pair.

Things You'll Need

• Iron on embroidery pattern small enough to fit the sock
• Iron
• 2 inch embroidery hoop
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery floss

Instructions

Prepare the Sock

1. Place the sock with the side you want to embroider facing up onto an ironing board. Top with the embroidery design, with the printed side facing down.

2. Position the embroidery design on the sock and press with the hot iron. Most designs transfer in 10 to 15 seconds.

3. Unscrew the metal finding on the top layer of the hoop and separate the hoop into two pieces.

4. Place the plain hoop inside the sock and center the embroidery design inside the hoop.

5. Top with the second hoop, sandwiching the sock between the hoops. Twist the metal finding to secure.

1. Cut an 18 inch length of floss and thread the needle. If you are using six-stranded floss, you can use the entire width, or separate it into individual strands, depending on the design and your personal preference.

2. Tie a knot in the end of the floss.

3. Insert the needle through the sock from the inside. Pull the needle through the sock, leaving the knot on the inside. Pass the needle back through the sock about an eighth of an inch away, following the design.

4. Continue stitching the sock, passing the threaded needle from the inside to the outside and following the design.

5. To change colors, bring the needle to the inside of the sock and cut the floss with scissors, about six inches away from the sock. Tie a knot to secure, then thread the needle with the new color and resume stitching.

6. When the design is done, tie off the floss like you would if you were changing colors and snip any loose ends. Remove the hoop and repeat the process on the second sock.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a small hoop and move it around as needed to finish the design.

• Choose a design that uses only one or two colors for best results.

• These directions will work for machine embroidery as well, if you have a sewing machine with embroidery capabilities.

• Don't stretch the sock when you insert the hoop, it will distort the design.

• Don't put the entire sock into the hoop, just a single layer; if you put both sides in, you will sew the leg closed.

References

• YouTube: How to Embroider
• "Craftcycle: 100+ Earth-Friendly Projects and Ideas for Everyday Living"; Heidi Boyd; 2009
• "Creative Hand Embroidery"; Sue Newhouse; 1994