How to use recycled socks to make a “Doggy” Rug

If you are like me, you have a box, bag, or basket of mix-matched socks you’ve set aside over the years. It doesn’t really matter whether one of them got a hole in it, got bleached, or just mysteriously disappeared. Something keeps you from just throwing them out. I’ve finally found the perfect use for them: making a warm and comfy rug for your pet. The instructions below describe the steps to making rugs from tube style or ankle style socks. These rugs are not pretty. They are easy to make, inexpensive, the dogs love them, and they wash well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Socks
• Darning Needle
• Yarn
• Scissors

1. If you are interested in making a round rug from ankle length socks skip to Step 6. For a square shaped rug your first step will be to select socks the same length. Plan on flipping them so the ends will go toe, heel, toe, heel, etc. Determine how many socks you want to use and if you want multiple roles or just one.
2. Thread yarn onto your darning needle and make a knot on one end of the yarn. Place the knot inside the open end of a sock. Make sure to turn each sock so the heel section faces down and the top is as flat as you can get it.
3. Holding the two socks together stitch along the outside edge.
4. If you want more than one row, you will need to connect your rows by laying them side by side and sewing along the edges to close up.
5. You are done! Pitch on the floor and let the good times roll.
6. When making a round rug or one from ankle socks you will want to arrange them so the smallest is the first sock and they work out towards the largest. Unlike the flat socks you will be flattening these on their sides so the heel will be visible. The first step is to stick the toe of each sock into the ankle opening of the following one and sew closed. When doing so make sure all heels point the same direction.
7. Continue sewing socks together until you have a long band.
8. Starting in the center fold up the first part of the first sock to make you a base and continue folding the sock around itself as you stitch it in place. Then continue stitching the socks together in a circular fashion.
9. Make sure to lay out the rug as you work on it so you can tell when a sock needs to turn or pull up more than it normally would. When you need to pull a straight section in to make it curve around a heel you can accomplish this by placing your needle holes closer together on the heel sock and further apart on the straight sock. This will cause small puckers in the sock but nothing uncomfortable for the dog.
10. Continue sewing string of socks together until you reach the size you are happy with.