Creating Grip Socks For Soccer: A Diy Guide

Grip socks are used to increase stability and achieve an anti-skid effect. They are commonly used for sports, such as soccer, yoga, and Pilates, as well as for children and the elderly. To make your own soccer grip socks, you can purchase grip socks and cut them at the ankle, or use a combination of grip sock bottoms and club sock uppers. Alternatively, you can create your own grip socks by applying puffy paint, silicone sealer, or hot glue to the soles of regular socks, or by sewing suede circles or felt soles to the heels and toes of the socks.

Using puffy paint on regular socks

Grip socks are designed to increase the contact area with the floor or soles, making people's centre of gravity more stable and achieving an anti-skid effect. This is particularly useful for sports enthusiasts, as well as for babies who are learning to walk. You can make your own grip socks at home by applying puffy paint to regular socks. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the socks

Trace your feet onto cardboard and cut out the shapes. These cardboard inserts will stretch your socks to your foot shape and prevent the paint from cracking when you put them on. You can also use flip-flops if they fit your feet perfectly. Place the cardboard or flip-flops inside the socks, ensuring that the toe seam is stretched across the toes.

This method works best on store-bought socks and is not recommended for knit or crochet socks due to their large weave.

Step 2: Design your grip pattern

Using puffy paint, create your desired grip pattern on the soles of the socks. You can pipe simple dots or lines, approximately 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) apart, in a grid-like pattern. Alternatively, you can draw more intricate pictures, such as Christmas trees or hearts, using a marker to trace the design before filling it in with puffy paint.

If your socks already have patterns, such as polka dots or stripes, you can outline these patterns with puffy paint for a unique look.

Step 3: Let the paint dry

Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the cardboard inserts. Puffy paint can take a long time to dry, sometimes up to 24 hours. You can speed up the process with a hairdryer if needed.

Step 4: Care instructions

Once the paint is dry, your grip socks are ready to wear! However, it is recommended to wait 72 hours before washing the socks for the first time. When washing, turn the socks inside out and use a cold water setting. Avoid using a dryer as it can cause the puffy paint to crack and degrade.

Tips and Tricks

• Match the colour of the puffy paint to your socks or use a contrasting colour for a bold statement.
• If you're not confident in your freehand skills, use a pencil or chalk pencil to lightly draw your design before tracing over it with puffy paint.
• Pre-wash new socks without fabric softener before painting. New fabrics are coated with sizing, which can interfere with the paint's adhesion.

Making felt soles for handmade socks

Felt is a great material for making soles for socks, especially if you want to add grip to your socks for sports like soccer. Here is a guide on how to make felt soles for your handmade socks:

Materials

You will need thick wool felt for the soles, which you can buy from specialist craft stores or online. You can also use an old woollen sweater and make your own felt by felting or fulling it. Other materials you will need include:

• Paper and pencil for making the pattern
• Pattern weights and pins
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Measuring tape
• Scrap wool for applique (optional)
• Sewable heat-n-bond for attaching applique (optional)

Creating the Pattern

Start by making a custom pattern for your slipper socks. You can draft your own pattern by tracing around your foot or using a slipper sock pattern available online or from a craft store. Remember to add a seam allowance around the edges of the pattern.

Cutting Out the Pattern

Once you have your pattern, lay it out on the felt or sweater. Make sure the sweater is big enough for all the pieces, and line up the top edge of the ankle cuff with the ribbing of the sweater so that your socks will have a nice edge and stretch well over your heel. Pin or weigh down the pattern pieces and cut them out. If your sweater is not big enough, you can mix and match pieces from other sweaters to complete the project. For example, use different-coloured soles or cuffs.

Embellishing (Optional)

Before assembling the slipper socks, you can embellish them with applique or needle felting. Cut out applique pieces from sweater scraps or felt and attach them to the slipper socks using sewable heat-n-bond. You can also needle felt a design onto the socks later by placing a foam block inside them.

Sewing the Ankle Cuffs

You can sew the slipper socks by hand or using a sewing machine. Set your machine to a zigzag stitch and sew the ankle cuffs together, letting the needle penetrate both layers on the zig and fall over the edge on the zag. This will create a flatlock-like appearance with ladder stitches on the outside of the socks. Sew each ankle piece, starting at the top of the cuff and stopping at the curve of the instep. Be careful not to stretch the fabric while sewing, as this can cause it to distort and become wavy.

Assembling the Slipper Socks

Attach the instep to the ankle piece, placing the two instep curves right sides together. Repeat for the other sock. Once the upper pieces are complete, turn them inside out and attach the soles, making sure you have a right and left foot. Sew around the soles and turn the socks right side out.

Your felt-soled handmade socks are now ready to wear!

Using liquid natural latex

To make soccer grip socks using liquid natural latex, you will need the following materials:

• Liquid natural latex (in the colour of your choice)
• Q-tips (or a paintbrush)
• Cardboard and scissors (optional)
• Tissue or plastic bags (optional)
• Hair dryer (optional)
• An extra pair of socks

• Place the socks with the soles facing up and flatten them. You can cut cardboard into the shape of your foot and insert it into the sock, or fill the socks with plastic bags or tissue to flatten them out. This step ensures that the socks are smooth and easy to work on.
• Dip the Q-tip into the liquid latex and apply it to the sole of the sock. You can create little dots or any pattern you like. Just make sure not to put on too much latex if you're using thin socks, as it might soak through.
• Allow each layer to dry. You will need to apply three layers in total, waiting about an hour between each layer. You can speed up the drying process by using a hairdryer if you're in a hurry.
• After applying all three layers, let the socks dry for at least 24 hours before use. The drying time may vary depending on how much latex you have applied.
• Once dry, your grip socks are ready to use! You can wash them at 30 degrees Celsius, preferably inside out, before their first use.

Some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Work in a well-ventilated area when applying the liquid latex, as it can have a strong smell.
• Always shake mould rubber and liquid latex before use to make it easier to work with.
• When working with liquid latex, apply the right amount, as it will impact the final result. The amount needed depends on the size of the area to be covered and the thickness of the sock material.

Using silicone sealer

Before you begin, make sure you have a pair of socks that you are willing to alter. It is recommended to use thicker socks, as the silicone will make the fabric stiff. You will also need a pair of cardboard inserts to help the socks hold their shape while you work. Cut out two cardboard shapes that match the outline of your feet and slide them into your socks. This will ensure that the socks are stretched to the right shape and that the silicone dries smoothly.

Now you are ready to apply the silicone sealer! Place your hand inside the sock and squeeze a small amount of silicone onto the sole of the sock. Use your finger or a craft stick to spread the silicone into a thin, even layer. You can create dots or lines with the silicone, or cover the entire sole for maximum grip. Make sure to wear vinyl gloves if you don't want silicone on your hands.

Once you are happy with the coverage, leave the socks to dry for at least 24 hours. The silicone will need time to solidify and set, so be patient! After 24 hours, carefully remove the cardboard inserts. Your grippy soccer socks are now ready to wear!

Keep in mind that washing these socks may require some extra care. It is recommended to wait at least 72 hours before the first wash, and always turn the socks inside out before washing. Use cold water and avoid putting them in the dryer, as this can cause the silicone to crack and degrade.

Using suede circles

If you're looking to make your own soccer grip socks, one option is to sew suede circles to the heels and toes of the socks. This method is best for crochet or knit socks and slippers, but can also work with store-bought socks. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Cut out suede circles and ovals

First, cut out two circles and two ovals from suede. You will need one circle and one oval for each sock.

Step 2: Make holes in the suede

Next, use a leather hole puncher to create holes around the perimeter of each shape. The holes should be approximately 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) apart.

Step 3: Sew the suede to the socks

Then, use a darning needle to hand-sew the suede shapes onto the socks. Sew the circles to the heels of the socks and the ovals to the toes. Be sure to use yarn that matches the colour of the socks, or a thinner yarn in the same colour if you used thick yarn for the socks.

Tips:

It is important to note that this method will not work with fake suede or fake leather, as these materials are too slippery. Instead, look for real suede that will provide the necessary grip. Additionally, if you are looking to make your grip socks waterproof, you may want to consider using a different method, as suede is not waterproof.

Frequently asked questions