How to Make Beaded Socks

Learn how to add beads securely to your socks.

Add decoration to a plain pair of socks by beading them around the top. Use a stitching technique to place the beads where you want them and lock them in place so they won't come loose in the washing machine. The thickness of the needle and thread you use depend on how large the holes of the beads are, so be sure to check when choosing your supplies. Find the materials you need in a craft store.

Things You'll Need

• Thread
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Needle
• Socks
• Beads

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a piece of thread the same color as the socks to 1 foot long. Thread a size 18 to 24 needle, and tie a double overhand knot about ¼ inch away from the end of the thread, opposite the needle.

2. Hold the sock open with one hand, and run the needle up from the inside of the sock through the outside where you want your line of beads to start. Pull the needle and thread all the way up until the knot at the other end stops the thread. Slip a bead onto the needle and slide it down to the surface of the sock.

3. Bring the needle down through the outside of the sock right next to the bead you just added and pull the needle and thread all the way until it stops to secure the bead. Go back up through the sock right next to the last stitch you made, but don't pull it all the way through so that it leaves a small loop on the inside of the sock. Bring the needle and thread back down right next to the last stitch and feed the needle through the loop. Pull it tight to secure the thread and "lock" the bead in place.

4. Feed the needle and thread up through to the outside of the sock where you want to add the next bead. Slide the bead down against the sock, bring the needle down through the sock next to the bead and repeat the lock-stitch technique. Continue around the sock until you come back to where you started.

5. Bring the needle and thread all the way down right next to the last bead and make the lock stitch on the inside of the sock. Make a ¼-inch loop up against the inside of the sock with the thread and pull the needle through the loop. Slide the knot down tight against the material, and pull the end to tighten the knot. Trim the end to about ¼-inch and repeat the same process on the other sock.

References

• University of Kentucky: Hand Stitches
• Country Bumpkin: Needles