How to Make a Sock Creature From Low-Cut Socks

Turn those crazy socks into cute animal creatures.

Low-cut socks can keep your feet warm on a chilly night and protect you from blisters during a run. But with a bit of creativity, they can also keep your kids occupied during playtime. Whether you're savvy with a sewing machine or not, you can easily transform an ordinary low-cut sock into a cute or crazy sock creature.

Things You'll Need

• Low-cut socks
• Polyester fiber filling
• Small rubber bands
• Scissors
• Hot glue
• Bobby pins
• Water
• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Decorations: eyes, buttons, markers, yarn

Instructions

No-Sew Sock Octopus

1. Stuff the low-cut sock with polyester fiber filling. Fill only about one-third of the sock with filling to leave for making the octopus’s legs.

2. Wrap a small rubber band tightly around the sock just below the filling. This should create the octopus body.

3. Cut the remaining part of the sock into eight vertical strips, starting at the sock’s ankle hole and cutting up to the rubber band. This forms the octopus’s eight legs.

4. Carefully dip the legs into a bowl of water and wring out the excess water. Tightly roll the legs up toward the body and use a bobby pin or clothespin to hold the rolls in place. Keep the legs rolled until the sock material has completely dried. Carefully unroll the legs once they have dried; they should have a bit of a curl.

5. Glue two small eyes onto the octopus’s head and tie a matching ribbon around his body to cover the rubber band.

Crazy Creatures

1. Turn your low-cut sock inside out. Position it on your working surface so the heel is pointed toward the ceiling. Flatten it as much as possible.

2. Starting at the open end, make a vertical cut up the length of the sock. This cut ultimately determines how long your sock creature’s legs will be. For longer legs and a shorter body, making a longer cut. For shorter legs and a longer body, make a short cut.

3. Sew the edges of the legs together, leaving an opening at the top of the cut between the legs. This opening is necessary for stuffing the sock. Turn the sock right-side out so your sewn edges are now on the inside of your sock creature.

4. Push polyester fiber filling into your sock creature through the small opening you left between the legs. Stuff the filling up into the creature’s body and down into both legs. Make him as flimsy or fluffy as you desire. Sew the hole closed with a sewing machine or a needle and thread.

5. Cut the heel, toe and ankle areas off your second low-cut sock. You should be left with a cylinder of fabric from the middle of the sock. Cut this piece in half to create your creature’s two arms.

6. Flip the material inside out and sew along the edges and around one end. Repeat with the other arm. Turn both arms right side out and stuff with filling. Sew the open ends onto each side of the body, creating your creature’s arms.

7. Decorate your sock creature with eyes, lips or clothing. Sew on buttons for extra flair or weave long strands of yarn into his head to create hair.

References

• Danielle's Place: Sock Crafts and Learning Activities for Kids