Crafting Cozy Socks: A Step-By-Step Guide To Knitting Footwear

Making your own socks is a fun and satisfying project. You can make socks by sewing or knitting them, and there are many online tutorials and patterns available. Sewn socks are usually made from stretchy fabric, while knitted socks are made from wool. You can make socks from scratch or use a pair of old socks as a template. If you're feeling creative, you can even make a sock puppet or a sock monkey!

Choosing the right fabric

When making socks, choosing the right fabric is essential to ensure comfort, durability, and breathability. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your fabric:

Stretch and Recovery

Socks need to stretch and recover to fit snugly around the foot and stay in place. Look for fabrics with good stretch and recovery properties, such as spandex, elastane, or Lycra®, often blended with other fibres like cotton or wool, to ensure a snug fit. The amount of stretch can be varied depending on the sock's purpose and the wearer's preferences—a more relaxed fit for casual socks and a snugger fit for athletic socks, for example.

Breathability and Moisture-Wicking

Breathable fabrics that effectively wick moisture away from the skin are crucial for keeping feet comfortable and dry. Natural fibres excel in this regard, with cotton, wool, and bamboo being excellent choices for their breathability and moisture absorption. Synthetic blends, particularly those with moisture-wicking properties like polyester and nylon, are also suitable for maintaining dry feet during physical activities or in hot weather.

Durability and Abrasion Resistance

Durability is essential since socks undergo frequent wear and tear. Opt for fabrics with strong abrasion resistance to withstand friction against shoes and the impact of walking or running. Fibres like nylon, polyester, and wool are known for their durability and will extend the lifespan of your socks. Reinforcing the heel and toe areas, which tend to wear out more quickly, can further enhance the durability of your chosen fabric.

Comfort and Softness

Fabric's softness and comfort against the skin are vital attributes, especially for those with sensitive feet. Natural fibres are typically softer and more comfortable, with cotton being a popular choice for its soft and breathable nature. The softness of wool can vary depending on the type, while still providing excellent insulation and durability. Modern synthetic blends have also been developed with a focus on softness, offering cosy and comfortable options for lounge socks.

Thermal Properties

Consider the climate and intended use of the sock when selecting the fabric. Wool is an exceptional insulator, making it ideal for cold weather socks as it keeps feet warm and dry. Conversely, lightweight cotton or bamboo blends are more suitable for warm weather, providing breathability and moisture-wicking properties to keep feet cool.

Ease of Care

Finally, consider the ease of care and maintenance of the fabric. Cotton, polyester, and synthetic blends are generally low-maintenance and machine-washable. Wool socks, while requiring more careful washing, possess natural odour-resistant properties, reducing the frequency of laundering. Choose a fabric that aligns with your preferred level of care and upkeep.

Cutting the fabric

To make a pair of socks, you will need fabric that is slightly elastic. Old sweaters, shirts, and leggings can be used as sock material. The fabric should be approximately 60 centimetres (24 inches) x 60 centimetres (24 inches). Any fabric, such as cotton, polyester, or linen, will work as long as it has a small percentage of spandex in it.

First, find a sock to use as a template and place it on the fabric. Use fabric scissors to cut around the sock, about 1 centimetre (0.39 inches) away from the sock, to make the fabric template slightly larger than your sock. This ensures that the final product will fit correctly. Repeat this process to create two cut-outs in total.

Next, lay the cut-out socks flat on the fabric and use fabric scissors to trim around the outline, cutting as close as possible to the cut-out sock. Repeat this step with the other cut-out sock to ensure identical sizing. This process will result in four cut-outs in total, providing perfectly sized pairs for each sock.

Now, place one cut-out sock flat on a table with the patterned side of the fabric facing upwards. Stack the other cut-out sock on top, with the patterned side facing downwards. If the fabric looks the same on both sides, don't worry about which way the fabric faces. Repeat this process with the remaining cut-outs to prepare two socks for sewing.

At this stage, you should have four fabric pieces cut out, ready to be pinned and sewn together to create your custom-sized socks.

Preparing the fabric for sewing

To prepare the fabric for sewing, you will first need to choose a fabric that is slightly elastic, stretchy, and made of knit fabric. Old sweaters, shirts, and leggings can be used as sock material. The fabric should be approximately 60cm x 60cm. Any fabric, such as cotton, polyester, or linen, will work as long as it has a small percentage of spandex in it.

Next, place a sock over the fabric and cut around it, using fabric scissors to cut about 1cm away from the sock to make the fabric template slightly larger. Repeat this process to create two cut-outs in total. Then, place the cut-out socks onto the fabric and cut around them, ensuring that the fabric is trimmed as close as possible to the cut-out sock. This will give you a total of four cut-outs.

Now, place one cut-out sock on a table with the patterned side facing up. Stack the other cut-out sock on top, with the patterned side facing down. If the fabric looks the same on both sides, don't worry about which side faces up or down. Repeat this process with the remaining cut-outs to prepare two socks for sewing.

Finally, pin the tops and bottoms of the socks together to keep the fabric in place. Ensure that the socks are stacked neatly on top of each other, and use sewing pins or thin needles to secure them.

Sewing the sock

Sewing your own socks can be a fun and rewarding project, and it's a great way to use up fabric scraps or upcycle old clothing. Here's a step-by-step guide to sewing your own socks:

Preparation:

First, you'll need to gather your materials. Choose a stretchy fabric with a small percentage of spandex or elastic for comfort and ease of putting on. Old sweaters, shirts, and leggings can work well as sock material. You'll also need sewing scissors, fabric scissors or a rotary cutter, sewing clips or pins, and a sewing machine or needle and thread for hand sewing.

Cutting the Fabric:

Find a sock that fits you well and use it as a template. Place it on your chosen fabric and cut around it, adding about 1 cm or 0.39 inches all around to allow for seams and ensure a good fit. You should have two fabric cut-outs for each sock.

Now you're ready to start sewing! Place the fabric cut-outs for one sock on top of each other with the printed/patterned sides facing together. Pin or needle them together at the top and bottom to keep the fabric in place. Set your sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch and start sewing down one edge, around the foot, and back up the other edge, being careful not to sew over the foot hole. Backstitch at the beginning and end to prevent the threads from coming loose.

For hand sewing, use a needle and thread and a simple running stitch or backstitch to join the fabric pieces together.

Finishing Touches:

To finish your sock, sew a straight stitch over the zig-zag stitch with your machine or by hand. This reinforces the seam and helps prevent it from coming undone. Cut off any loose threads, then turn the sock inside out to reveal the finished product. Repeat this process for the second sock.

Optional Seam Finishing:

If you find that the seams of your socks are uncomfortable, you can press all the seams to one side and stitch them down with a narrow zig-zag stitch. This will make the seams stronger and more comfortable to wear.

And that's it! You now have a pair of cosy, custom-made socks to keep your feet warm. Feel free to experiment with different fabrics and colours, and enjoy the comfort of your handmade creation.

Finishing the sock

Now that you have cut out the fabric and sewn the edges, it's time to finish the sock.

First, turn the sock inside out to reveal the finished sock. Reach into the sock and take hold of the toe. Pull it through the leg of the sock to turn it inside out, hiding the seams and revealing the printed side of your fabric.

If you are making a sock with a cuff, fold the cuff in half along the fold line and press. Open up the cuff and match the unpressed edges together. Sew down this edge through both layers with a 1/4” seam allowance. Fold the wrong side of the cuff on itself along the fold so that the raw edges are even. Thread a hand needle and baste the raw edges of the cuff together.

Pop the cuff inside the top of the sock with the right sides together. Sew the cuff to the sock all the way around, with the cuff side facing up. Remove the basting thread.

Now, repeat the process for the toe. Stack the toe pieces with the right sides together, then sew around the curved edge. Put the toe inside the sock with the right sides facing and raw edges matching. Sew the toe to the sock, again with the toe side facing up. Press the sock to finish.

Repeat all the steps to complete the pair.

If you find that the edges of the socks are uncomfortable on the inside, consider pressing all of your seams to one side and stitching them down. It will make the seam a little stronger, and the socks will be more comfortable to wear. Just be sure to stitch down with your narrow zigzag so that the stitches won't pop as you wear your socks.

Frequently asked questions