How to Create a Craft Loop

Many of the craft projects we enjoy today are the result of the frugal living habits people adopted decades ago when times were hard and money was scarce. People had to become very resourceful just to provide the necessities for their families. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that people found supplies for various craft projects from their own castoffs. This is the way craft loops got their start. Craft loops are a versatile material from which many craft projects are made. These days, you can buy your own craft loops in a giant bag from the local craft store, but if you'd rather be resourceful it is not difficult to make your own.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Socks
• Sharp scissors

1. Start in the laundry room. Every laundry room has a basket of odd socks--socks that have become separated from their partners and now sit idly in a basket with other odd socks. Making your own craft loops means that you can also empty the sock basket! Dig through and pull out all of the socks designed to fit mid-calf on the leg.

2. Check the elasticity of the socks you've rescued from the odd sock basket. If the elastic of the sock is a bit worn and not really very stretchy anymore, put it back in the basket. Keep only those socks with a nice, stretchy quality so that the craft loops you make will be nice and stretchy too.

3. Sort through the socks that you've decided meet your elasticity specifications and choose the colors that you think will make a nice selection for your various craft loop projects. Perhaps you don't have a color scheme in mind, in which case anything goes. However, if you have a specific project in mind for your craft loops, you'll want to be sure and select the socks that will help you to get the colors you'll need.

4. Wash the socks. Chances are the socks have been in the basket for a good while and they could use some freshening up. Depending on what you use your craft loops for, this may be the last chance to wash the material. Be sure and completely dry the socks.

5. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut craft loops from the socks. Start at the very top of the elastic portion of the sock. Measure a length of approximately one inch and cut the top from the sock resulting in a loop.

6. Check the edges of the craft loop. The material will curl at the edges so you may need to vary the length you trim from the sock before cutting the rest of your craft loops.

Tips & Warnings

• Craft loops can be used to make loom loop potholders--a great project for the kids!

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 1/14/2009 Love those old looms for making potholders!