Handmade Sock Snowmen Tutorial

Last year I had pinned a tutorial to my Pinterest board for making these really cute sock snowmen.  They were simply adorable, easy, and looked like they would make wonderful gifts for the kid's teachers.  Like usual, life got busy and I found myself running to the Hallmark store for gifts.  This year, I'm on top of it!

Suzanne triggered my memory of last years good intentions by posting a brief tutorial on her blog.  Since I'm still laid up at home, having something fun to do is a MUST!  I called my sister, we went for coffee and stopped at the Dollar General and Rite Aid for supplies.  I wasn't using old socks for these since they are gifts.

A few friends on facebook had asked me how I made their cute little hats and scarves.  I had offered to do a tutorial on them and then figured, I may as well share the entire process from start to finish.  So, here goes... another Sock Snowman Tutorial.  This could be the longest post I have ever written to date.

Supplies you will need:

Crew socks (new or old) 

  Fabric, old clothes, ribbon, sweaters or other socks for hats and scarves  

Rice (only $3.00 for a 5lb bag)
Scissors
Rubber bands
Buttons, and embellishments from your crafty stash

Making the Sock Snowman Body.

Cut your sock about 1/2" from below the ribbed part of the neck.  This will be the body of your snowman.

Tie your rubber band tightly around the top of your sock.  I recommend this side because you will need to trim the other side and all that fabric is a bugger to cut.  TIP:  I turn my sock inside out first, then tied the rubber band on.  I found it easier to get that band right up to the edge of the stitching.

Now turn your sock right-side in so the rubber band is on the inside of the sock.

Suzanne suggested a glass to fill your sock, and believe me, I understand why.  LOL!  Place your sock over a glass filled with rice.  Hold on to that sock tightly and flip the glass over to fill the sock.  Just jam the rice in there.  It will fit.

After squishing it down, it all fit.

Tightly tie another rubber band to the top.

Shape your rice filled sock.  Yes, it will hold it's shape.

Then wrap the another rubber band around the shape you made.  You will also want to trim the excess material from the top of your snowman so the hat sits on well.

You can use the other half of the sock as a hat and waste nothing.  Use it this way, or turn it inside out for a different texture.

Place the hat on top of your snowman's head.  Viola!

Now lets move onto the fun part...

Dressing your Sock Snowman

These were $1.00 at Rite Aid.  You can dress 2 snowmen with one pair.

Cut your sock as shown.  The heal will be extra material.  I'm sure I can still find another use for it.

Start with the first 2 pieces.

The top of the sock is perfect for the neck.  It has elastic in it that fits snug around your snowman.

Next, cut the next piece.  Pull it through the as shown.

Tie a knot.  You can trim this piece if you want.

Take the foot part of the sock.

Fold over the open side for the brim of the hat.

Place it on top of  your snowman's head.

Use a hot glue gun or fabric glue to attach a pom pom to the toe of the sock.

I used self adhesive pearls for eyes.  I ran out of black.  It's an easy fix.  Grab a sharpie marker to change any color pearl to black.

See, it worked on the pink ones too.  Be sure to let them dry so they don't smudge.

Attached the eyes and start adding embellishments.  These leaves were from a very old collection of Prima Flower sets.

Add a few buttons.

How easy was that!  There is absolutely no sewing, they are totally adorable, and you get to use up lots of embellishments that you probably would have thrown away.  I went back later on and hot glued a few spots on the hat to make sure they stay in place.  You will also want to have a lint brush handy to remove the extra fuzzies from your snowman.

Here are some more examples of ones we have made so far.

 I hope you have fun making your own snowman family.  :)

Until next time.