How to Dye Socks
I’m sure you’ve seen the trends, the ever increasing tie die socks, the pastel colors and the sock ombres. Well, I’ve done the research and the testing and have come up with a series of folds and techniques that you can do yourself from your home with a few supplies readily available online and in your local art store. Please note this process takes 2 days
TIPS
For the Nike look Nike Everyday socks work best, they can be found fairly easy ( Amazon and Nike links)
Unused plastic storage bins work great as a substitute for a bucket, as well as IKEA FNISS trashcans @ $1.99 USD
If you decide to use powder dye’s I’d highly suggest going to the art store to buy them individually so you don’t break the bank. However you can also buy a tie dye kit
THINGS YOU’LL NEED:
Please use the “WITHOUT KIT” if you want a more custom color approach, otherwise please refer to “WITH KIT” list for an easier less custom approach.
WITH KIT:
White cotton socks (the more pairs you have the more opportunites you have)
1 Bucket or large plastic container
1 Plastic painters drop cloth or 2 trashbags
Water
Jacquard Tie Dye Kit - $19.95 on Amazon can also be found @ BLICK’s
Saranwrap
A few waterproof bowls if doing ombre or solid
WITHOUT KIT:
White cotton socks (the more pairs you have the more opportunites you have)
1 Bucket or large plastic container
1 Plastic painters drop cloth or 2 trashbags
Water
1 lb bag of Soda Ash
1 pk of rubberbands
Powder dye ( I prefer Procion powder found @ BLICK’S)
Gloves
Squirt Bottles
Saranwrap
Craft spoon or Popsicle stick
A few waterproof bowls if doing ombre or solid
STEPS FOR TIE DYE: DAY 1 (OMBRE OR SOLID STEPS BELOW)
Put on your gloves for all steps below (TRUST ME):
For 6-12 pairs of socks pour your soda ash into bucket along with 2.5 gallons of water. ( I usually just fill my bucket with enough water that it doesn’t overflow with the socks in it, not an exact science) Let soak for 30mins to 1 hr. Soda Ash is the key to a vibrant color palette so do not skip this step.
After you’ve soaked your socks layout your plastic drop cloth or cut your trash bag down both sides so the bottom is still in tack to create your own drop cloth. This is very important so you can make sure each sock set is set far enough apart that they won’t transfer dye from one pair to the next.
Mixing Dye’s:
Kit Users: add the water to the line on the bottle noted in instructions.
From Scratch: use a craft spoon (aka a spoon not used for eating) to scoop out a small amount of powder dye and pour into squirt bottle. Start by adding a small amount of water and test on a paper towel the strength of the color. If you want more saturation add more dye if you want a lighter color add more water. Just be sure to make at least half a bottle so you have enough for a pair of socks. We don’t want you to have to try to mix the same color for the second sock if you didn’t make enough the first time. ** Note you can mix your powders for custom colors using color wheel logic.
Fold your socks in one of the pastry folds noted in the video above
Now squirt your color on, play around with it, have fun. Remember “like” colors work well together and have a smaller chance of overlapping into brown. The following colors work great together when overlapped on a sock:
Red, orange, yellow
Red, pink, yellow
Green and yellow
Green and blue
Teal, lime green, and yellow
Purple and blue
Purple and red
Don’t be afraid to experiment though you’d be surprised with what works well together. Please be sure to separate each pair at least a foot away from your other pairs to ensure cross dying doesn’t happen, we don’t want your bright yellow and pink socks to have a random brown smudge on it because blue accidentally leaked from the pair next to them. Don’t forget to wipe off your hands on paper towels or rinse under water before dying the next pair to avoid cross contamination.
Now carefully wrap each pair of socks in their own saran wrap to leave overnight
DAY 2
Put on your gloves for all steps below:
Unwrap 1 pair of socks at a time removing saran wrap and rubber bands, running them under COLD water until the water runs clear.
After each pair is rinsed, wring out excess water and place them in the washer with detergent and dry on low. If you don’t have a washer hand wash each pair with laungry detergent or dish soap in the sink and hang to dry. DO NOT SET SOCK PAIRS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER UNTIL THEY’VE BEEN COMPLETELY RINSED AND WRUNG OUT. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE DO NOT LET THEM TOUCH UNTIL RIGHT BEFORE YOU WASH THEM IN THE WASHER OR AFTER YOU’VE WASHED BY HAND WITH SOAP.
Yay you did it, hope you love your new pair of hand dyed socks!
STEPS FOR OMBRE & SOLID: DAY 1
Put on your gloves for all steps below (TRUST ME):
For 6-12 pairs of socks pour your soda ash into bucket along with 2.5 gallons of water. ( I usually just fill my bucket with enough water that it doesn’t overflow with the socks in it, not an exact science) Let soak for 30mins to 1 hr. Soda Ash is the key to a vibrant color palette so do not skip this step.
After you’ve soaked your socks layout your plastic drop cloth or cut your trash bag down both sides so the bottom is still in tack to create your own drop cloth. This is very important so you can make sure each sock set is set far enough apart that they won’t transfer dye from one pair to the next.
Mixing Dye’s: For ombre’s mix a light color in one bowl and a darker color in another.
Kit Users: Chose the color you’d like to start with from the squirt bottles located in your kit. From the chosen bottle pour 1/2 of the powder into the bowl with 1 cup of water. Test the color by dipping a piece of paper towel into the mixture. If you want a darker more saturated color add more powder from the same squirt bottle, if you want it lighter add more water until you get your desired color. ** Note you can mix your powders for custom colors using color wheel logic.
From Scratch: use a craft spoon (aka a spoon not used for eating) to scoop out a small amount of powder dye into a bowl with 1 cup of water. Test the color by dipping a piece paper towel into the mixture. If you want a darker more saturated color add more powder from the same squirt bottle, if you want it lighter add more water until you get your desired color. ** Note you can mix your powders for custom colors using color wheel logic.
For solid colors dip your whole sock or pair in the bowl. For Ombre place your sock or pair in lighter color of ombre colors. For solids let sit for at least 4hrs upto 24hrs, for Ombre leave at least 4hrs for full saturation, then wring out the excess dye and dip either the top bottom or side in the darker dye, if possible lay the sock over the bowl so the part of the sock thats being dyed is able to sit in the dye for 4hrs to 24hrs. If this is not possible wring out and proceed to next step.
DAY 1 OR 2
Run socks under cold water until water runs clear.
After each pair is rinsed, wring out excess water and place them in the washer with detergent and dry on low. If you don’t have a washer hand wash each pair with laungry detergent or dish soap in the sink and hang to dry. DO NOT SET SOCK PAIRS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER UNTIL THEY’VE BEEN COMPLETELY RINSED AND WRUNG OUT. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE DO NOT LET THEM TOUCH UNTIL RIGHT BEFORE YOU WASH THEM IN THE WASHER OR AFTER YOU’VE WASHED BY HAND WITH SOAP.
Yay you did it, hope you love your new pair of hand dyed socks!