Jocie

5 Minutes or Less: No-Slip Socks

February 2, 2012 | by Jocie (email) |

“5 Minutes or Less” will be on on-going series dedicated to quick and fun crafts and DIY projects that you can do in five minutes or less. This segment came to being because in our busy life it was difficult making the time for the involved and time-consuming projects that I love. We would love to feature your ideas too, so don’t forget to take lots of pictures of your next “5 Minutes or Less” DIY and send ‘em our way!

This week’s project is making no-slip socks. As you may have read in previous posts, Lucy just turned ONE and is starting to walk. I try to keep soft shoes on her most of the time, but when we’re just around the house, that is sometimes a bit of a chore. So to keep her from slipping on the wood floors and to keep her little toesies warm, I made No-Slip Socks!

Supplies:

  • Socks
  • Puffy Paint

First, I went to Target and bought a big bag of socks. My favs are the low-cut socks, but really you can pick any socks you want, but solids will work best if you want to draw your own designs or words.  Here’s a coupon if you want to buy at Target also.  🙂

While you’re there, also buy some Puffy Paint.  I love the glittery ones! Pick contrasting colors to your socks.  If your socks are light in color, pick bright, darker colors.  If your socks are dark, pick lighter, pastel, or white.

Once you get home, wash the socks and dry on high heat.  You want to make sure the socks have shrunk as much as they will so that they don’t shrink at all after you put the puffy paint on, otherwise the puffy paint will crinkle.

Flatten out the socks, heel facing up.

Then draw designs or words on the socks. Get creative – names, sayings, stripes, starts, polka dots. You can do no wrong! My favorite  pair of socks I made says “Lulu” because that is the affectionate nickname that Izzie gave her when she was a baby.

Let dry for 24 hours (ish) and enjoy.

Have you done this? Any tips?  Send us your pix and we’ll include them in our post!

15 Responses
  1. paintergal says:

    So cute! Who knew puffy paint would become popular again?
    I was using it during the paint-your-sweatshirts rage in the 90’s.

  2. MissFixIt says:

    Great idea when you have hardwood floors

  3. William says:

    My son has outgrown the need for non-slip socks, but I hope I have another one so I can counteract all the girliness of those with some skulls and crossbones or something likewise tough.

  4. Paul&Aundrea says:

    Who wasn’t using puffy paint in the 90’s!?! This post came just at the right time for me. We are planning a trip to a residential facility for developmentally disabled adults for our church youth group and we are thinking of easy crafts we can all make together…this is perfect. I can’t wait until your next 5 min. or less idea!

    • Jocie says:

      wow what a wonderful thing to do with the church! Just before Ethan and I were married I worked at a residential program for adolescents (I am a social worker and mommy by day, crafter by night). Let me know how it goes!

  5. naomipsalm77 says:

    Hmmmm… I think I need some!

  6. craftyballerina says:

    I love this idea! I was going to make some outdoor booties for my dachshund using socks and Plasti-Dip (the stuff you use for tool grips). I think the puffy paint would be MUCH easier to use!

  7. Liz says:

    GENIUS! Does the puff paint go through the socks at all? I remember having to put cardboard or paper bags inside shirts when we puff painted them. Did I just date myself? Do the new “grippies” seem to bother her feet at all when she’s walking? I guess you have to be careful not to make the puff paint too thick.

  8. Jocie says:

    Thanks Liz! Lucy has worn hers a good bit and the “puff” doesn’t seem to bother her. Certainly making it flatter helps, but you don’t want to make it too thin or it won’t grip, also will more likely crack when in the dryer.

  9. Liz says:

    Good point. I hadn’t thought about it cracking.

  10. frazzled5 says:

    We did this with my five- the sock monster in the dryer doesnt seem to like the paint taste… magically I can find all the matches now:)

    • Kim says:

      Congratulations! (We still have some extraneous strays here in our house… probably because we “only” have two… we get no such mercy) 🙂

  11. katieQ says:

    Great idea! I have lots of puff paint in my craft supplies. It’s nice to find a solution that uses something you already own.

  12. theresa sarvis says:

    This is an awesome idea for seniors! My MIL is in a memory care facility, and the danger of slipping on bathroom floors ect. is huge! I will be making these for all of them there. Late night trips to the loo without shoes will be so much safer now!!

Leave a Reply