Sock It to Me: Recycle Socks Into New Garments

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Would you ever guess some of the clothing items these kids are wearing are made from recycled socks?
Would you ever guess some of the clothing items these kids are wearing are made from recycled socks?
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Mittens, a hat, scarf, and turtleneck shirt are some of the items you can make. Note the ear flaps on the blue stocking cap.
Mittens, a hat, scarf, and turtleneck shirt are some of the items you can make. Note the ear flaps on the blue stocking cap.
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Fold under the raw edges of the material and stitch the strip to the inside of the sock, overlapping the fabric where its ends meet. The resulting band folds down to form a cuff.
Fold under the raw edges of the material and stitch the strip to the inside of the sock, overlapping the fabric where its ends meet. The resulting band folds down to form a cuff.
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Begin by cutting a sock just below the ribbing, forming a curved toe. Keep in mind that you'll need to perform each step twice to make a pair of bootees.
Begin by cutting a sock just below the ribbing, forming a curved toe. Keep in mind that you'll need to perform each step twice to make a pair of bootees.
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While the mitt is still inside out, weave in an elastic thread at the wrist and knot it. After you turn it right-side out again, add designs if you like.
While the mitt is still inside out, weave in an elastic thread at the wrist and knot it. After you turn it right-side out again, add designs if you like.
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Turn the garment wrong side out and sew up the shoulder seams. Fold the 3
Turn the garment wrong side out and sew up the shoulder seams. Fold the 3" sock sections you've reserved for the cuffs in half, and attach them to the ends of the arms.
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Starting from the cut end of the sock, make a slit to accommodate the thumb
Starting from the cut end of the sock, make a slit to accommodate the thumb
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To fabricate the thumb, cut a hook-like section of an appropriate length and width from the leftover sock material.
To fabricate the thumb, cut a hook-like section of an appropriate length and width from the leftover sock material.
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To add an opening at the back of the pullover, slit the turtleneck down the back and cut a couple of inches on down into the shirt.
To add an opening at the back of the pullover, slit the turtleneck down the back and cut a couple of inches on down into the shirt.
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Cut the heel and toe from each sock, leaving a tubular section. Turn one of these arch portions wrong side out and pull it over a right-side-out one. If decoration is desired, you can embroider the end squares.
Cut the heel and toe from each sock, leaving a tubular section. Turn one of these arch portions wrong side out and pull it over a right-side-out one. If decoration is desired, you can embroider the end squares.
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Gather the top of the hat in an X-pattern and fasten a yarn pom-pom in place.
Gather the top of the hat in an X-pattern and fasten a yarn pom-pom in place.

Suppose a friend called to inform you of a surprise baby shower; or your mate suggested an impromptu visit to your sister’s family; or the youngsters came in from playing in the snow, rummaged through their bureaus, and informed you that there wasn’t a dry mitten in the house. Would you worry because you’re too short on funds to buy a gift for the shower, or to purchase a small token of affection for your nieces and nephews? Do you perhaps lack the knitting skill necessary to keep your family supplied with low-cost mittens?

Well, I used to feel a pang of panic in such situations, but now I just confidently head for my darning basket. Then, an hour or two later, I’ll have a passel of newly stitched clothing to offer as gifts or to supplement my own children’s wardrobes. I’ve learned, you see, how to recycle socks.

Bootee Basics

To stitch up a pair of infant foot-warmers (which would be a welcome gift at just about any baby shower), you’ll need a pair of adult-sized crew-neck socks, a scrap of material, and a bit of ribbon or yarn. Begin by cutting a sock just below the ribbing, forming a curved toe (Keep in mind you’ll need to perform each step twice to make a matched pair of bootees).

Next, cut a strip of fabric that’s 1″ wide and long enough to form a border around the top of the ribbing (be sure to allow for some overlap when you measure it). Then fold under the raw edges of the material and stitch the strip to the inside of the sock, overlapping the fabric where its ends meet. The resulting band folds down to form a cuff (as shown in Fig. 2).

  • Published on Jan 1, 1983
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