Socks are like coat hangers. They either multiply randomly without reason or disappear as if a sock monster is busy snatching every single sock that hits the floor without its mate. Around here, I blame the washer. I just know it will quit working one day and we will open it to find all the socks it has gorged on over the years. However it happens, there always seems to be an excess of odd socks.There are several handy uses for these, as is.
_Dusting mitts are one of my favorites. Athletic socks with their terry lining make great dust rags. Just turn the sock inside out, stick your hand in and dust. Same goes for use as dish rags.
_Cut a circular hole big enough to get your hand through in the side of a cardboard box and fill with old socks. Kept in the garage, shop or utility room this makes a handy rag box. For oily, greasy clean up you will have a ready supply of throw-away rags.
_Baby socks and light weight children's socks make good pounce and dusting powder bags. Various crafts projects require dusting the molds with talc so they will release properly. Simply fill the end of the sock with powder and tightly rubber band the top. The larger socks work nicely for applying after bath talc. Dress them up with a pretty ribbon and store in a small decorative bowl in the bathroom.
_Stuff a baby sock with catnip and tie the top tightly shut with a length of string. Leave a 4" tail of string and you have instant 'mouse' cat toy.
_Stuff holey socks into a long, athletic mismatch and tie or sew the end shut... Instant dog toy. If you want to give your big dog extra fun, put an empty 20 oz. plastic pop bottle in the sock instead. It makes lots of noise when chewed on, which my big pup just loves!
Speaking of holey socks, remember sitting around darning those? Probably not. My grandmother darned them beautifully. I figured out right quick why the word "Darn" came to be used as an expletive. It is a useful thing to know how to do and the techniques can be used to repair shirts, sweaters and even to sturdily patch jeans. Below are some links to my favorite info sites on darning and patching that you might find interesting and useful.
VintageSewing.info is a wonderful site offering turn of the century tutorials.
The following pages deal with repairing knitted items, HJS Studios and Once Upon A Pattern.
I normally prefer less time consuming methods of dealing with our ragged socks.
_Pillows of all sorts can be made using socks for stuffing.
_An old pillowcase full of socks and sewn shut makes for a comfy and machine washable small breed dog bed or cat pillow.
_Cut the foot off athletic or knee socks, leaving a 3/4" to 1" length beyond the stretchy top. Fold this to the inside and whip stitch in place. These 'tubes' may be used to hold large bandages in place on an arm or leg. Packing glasses for shipment or storage (even with the foot on) is another use. Cut holes for front legs and you have an instant tiny dog sweater.
_Intact toes can be cut off and hemmed to be used for baby doll caps. Add a ribbon bow to the top and matching ribbon ties for the finishing touches.
_While on doll clothes, the tops make quick doll sweaters too... Roll the cut edge out to the front and stitch in place with elastic thread. Draw the neck in slightly as you sew. Cut holes for the arms. Make sleeves out of pieces from a matching sock top, first sewing them into proper size tubes then stitching them into place.
_Shredded socks can be used in making craft paper too, but that is for another topic and another day!
