Sunday, November 21, 2010

DIY Grippy Socks

I recently read an article over at I am Momma-Hear Me Roar on how to make grippy socks using standard socks and puffy fabric paint.  Here are the steps I took to make some for Jack:

Supplies:
Socks in your child's size:  I bought some from WalMart similar to those found here (in fact, I think they're the exact same size but I bought them in smaller than a 12 pack).  Cost per pair = $0.73
Puffy paint:  I know you can get bigger bottles, but I got the smaller ones for ease of handling in my small hand.  Cost per bottle = < $1; I estimate this boils down to $0.05 per pair for paint, depending on how much you use on your design
Cardboard:  I just remember fabric paint always going through fabric when I've used it in the past.  I decided to use empty cardboard toiletpaper tubes because it ended up being about the perfect length to fit into Jack's size sock.  Cost = free because they would've otherwise been thrown away

Total estimated cost per pair of homemade grippy socks = $0.78
Store bought grippy socks = $2.00 at Gap, $1.50 at Old Navy or $1.00 at Target

Photos of the process:

Tubes from toilet paper roll, each tube cut into thirds.
Put the outside of the curve against the sole of the sock, where I would be painting, to make sure to smooth out the fabric.
Before painting (they are previously worn/washed)

My color palate of puffy paint!

After (still wet)!  I just had fun and played around with different shapes.  I will probably see which ones help Jack the most before repeating this process on more socks!

 I had a lot of fun doing this!  I will possibly get a little more creative in the future with the designs to show a bit more of Jack's personality, but I wanted to start small.  You could probably apply the same concept to knit adult socks to make grippy slippers!

6 comments:

  1. Crafts I want to do while on Christmas break!

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  2. uh oh...does Rachel have trouble staying on her feet in the dorm?!

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  3. Great job! Good thinking inserting the cardboard from toilet paper rolls! Thanks for sharing this with me. Glad it worked out well for you!

    Cheri

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  4. You have no idea how happy I am to have run across this post! I had back surgery in July and had an unexpected setback. Two of the nerves in my back were damaged and I am now in a wheelchair...hopefully just temporary, but it is possibly permanent. The grippy socks they gave me at the hospital were so huge on my size six feet that they were a fall hazard themselves, and I just paid 10 bucks for two pair of Dr.Scholls spa socks last night. I decided there had to be a way to make them and this is the first site that caught my eye when I googled it. I can happily say that I have at least 30 bottles of puffy paint that I use for card making. Guess I have a new use for it now! Than you for sharing...and saving me from a potential fall!

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  5. Thank you for posting your idea. My dad is in an alzheimers care facility and has had a number of falls. The staff has been requesting grippy socks but we couldn't find them at Target etc. This is an easy fix...something my dad and I can do next time I see him. Thanks a bunch!

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  6. Check out babyandbeyond.ie for full rubber soled socks.
    They have a great range and ship internationally.

    They also do adult sizes on request!

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