Let’s all say it together now:  “Awwwwwwww!”  I mean, seriously, how adorable are these hamster hacky sacks?  Instructables user miss_who whipped them up using kids-size socks!  Of course, you caould also use adult-sized socks to make a larger version as well.  Since each hacky sack only takes one sock, this is a great project for odd socks that you may have laying around.  (And who doesn’t?!)  [how to make hamster hacky sacks]

Project estimate:

• Sock, on hand or $1
• Felt scraps, on hand
• Needle and thread, on hand
• Rice, on hand or $1

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make Hamster Hacky Sacks appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Hooray, it’s shark week at DSC!  I love to see what fun ideas and projects the team comes up with.  Shark projects can run the spectrum from scary to silly to chic, and the idea I have for you today definitely falls in the “silly” category, with a nod to how scary sharks are.

Admit it, haven’t we all worried about critters nibbling on our toes when we wade into the ocean?  These fun DIY socks illustrate what might happen if a shark decided to munch on your foot.  I used super soft fabric paint to keep the socks soft and comfortable.

Project Estimate:

• Socks – $1
• So Soft Fabric Paint – $1.50 each
• Puffy Paint – $1

Total:  $5

Step one:  Cut a piece of cardboard to fit inside the sock.

Step two:  Use the silver paint to make the “body” of the shark.  Paint a “v” shape near the top and fill in the rest of the sock with silver paint.  Repeat on the other side.

Step three:  Use the red paint to outline the teeth.  Make small “v” shapes for the teeth.  Fill the top of the sock with the red paint.

Step four:  Use black puffy paint to draw the eyes and other details on the shark.

Confession:  I totally want to make a pair for myself.  Everyone who sees these can’t help but giggle.  All my kids want a pair, and luckily these are super easy to make so I’ll have them all done in no time.  Grab your socks and fabric paint, and get your shark on!

More shark crafts:
Follow Mrs. Greene’s board Shark Week! on Pinterest.

The post Tutorial: DIY Shark Socks appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Now that it’s warm outside, are you cleaning out your dresser? Don’t toss those old pairs of socks with holes in the heel or toe! Sock monkeys have always been the go-to toy to make from old socks, but there are lots of super fun variations on that theme. Check out these cute alternative sock stuffies!

1. Elves – I am not sure if we are doing Elf on the Shelf with our son, but if so I like this version a lot more than store-bought1

2. Snakes – Brightly colored socks make cute stuffed snakes! You can keep these or gift a child in your life with these sweet stuffies.

3. Monsters – Are snakes not your thing? These sock monsters are a lot of fun and look cute lined up on a mantle.

4. Doughnuts – Got old baby socks? Turn them into play doughnuts for your little one!

5. Bunny – OK, so technically this is an Easter craft, but I say that bunnies are cute all year long!

6. Owls – Make a sweet owl family from some worn out socks.

7. Sock-topus – This no-sew tute is totally cute.

8. Plush Mobile – This sweet flock of sock birds would make a great baby shower gift.

9. Caterpillar and Butterfly – What a great kid gift this would make! It’s a caterpillar that you can turn into a butterfly!

10. Kitty Cat – What a sweet way to use a sock that’s lost its partner.

The post Beyond Sock Monkeys: 10 Toys to Make with Old Socks appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Sock monkeys make perfect presents for little ones. With so many fun sock patterns to choose from at the dollar store, you’ll be sure to find a sock that will match the tastes of the kiddo or parents! Just keep in mind that button eyes should only be used on monkeys given to older children who no longer put things in their mouths. For a baby-appropriate sock monkey, simply draw or stitch the eyes on with embroidery floss instead. [how to sew a sock monkey]

Project estimate:

• 1 pair of socks, $1 and up
• Felt scraps, on hand
• Buttons, on hand or $1
• Embroidery floss, on hand or $1
• Polyfill stuffing material, $3 for a large bag
• Batting scraps, on hand or $1 and up
• Sewing machine, on hand

Total: $4 and up

The post Make Your Own Sock Monkey appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Gifts-in-a-jar are a perennial favorite.  There are so many useful or fun things you can put into jars, and so many ways that you can dress them up – the possibilities are almost endless!  Kathy at Sparkles and a Stove came up with these cute little guys, turning treat-filled jars into little snowmen.  They would also make great party favors and could easily be used as place cards around your holiday dinner table.  By varying the size of jar used for making these you could even make a whole snowman family!  [how to make snowman treat jars]

Project estimate:

• Round jars, $1 and up
• Socks, on hand or $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Twine or string, on hand or $1 and up
• Gift tags, on hand or $1
• White candy or cookies, $1 and up

Total:  $2 and up

The post Make Snowman Treat Jars appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

How adorable is this elephant made from a sock? And how awesome is it that this is a no-sew project? Gather up the kiddos and whip some of these guys up with a tutorial courtesy of Kirsten at One Tough Mother, who recently featured a who week of zoo-inspired kids crafts on her blog. Ho fun would it be to make these at a slumber party? Use dollar store socks, or be even more thrifty and make dolls out of odd socks whose partners have been lost or have gotten holey! [how to make a no-sew sock elephant]

Project estimate:

• Socks, on hand or $1 and up
• Polyfill, on hand or about $3 and up
• Felt, on hand
• Rice or beans, on hand
• Rubber bands, on hand
• Googly eyes, on hand or $1
• Hot glue, on hand

Total: free and up

The post Make a No-Sew Sock Elephant appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

My local dollar store sells SO many fun socks. Most of these socks, however, are designed for kids or pre-teens and not full grown feet. Luckily, Johnnie from Saved by Love Creations has a great tutorial for how to turn socks into adorable fingerless gloves. If  you use socks you have on hand (maybe the leftover socks whose partners were eaten by the dryer monster?) you can do this craft for free! [how to make fingerless gloves out of socks]

Project estimate:

• Socks, on hand or $1 and up
• Sewing machine, on hand
• Scissors, on hand
• Chalk, on hand or $1 and up

Total: Free and up!

The post Make Fingerless Gloves from Socks appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

My two year-old son has a set “script” he has come up with when he pretends to talk on the phone. It goes, “Hello! Mommy! Donut!” He has a special place in his heart for donuts, and so do I, which is why I wanted to share this clever pretend donut from Frugal Family Fun. It’s made from a pair of dollar store socks, and is no-sew. It will take you just a minute or two to make! Your kids will get a kick out of helping you make these, and then playing with them! Time to make the donuts. [how to make a donut softie] [Thanks, Kmom14 for the tip!]

Project Estimate:

• Pair of socks, $1
• Felt, on hand or $1
• Fabric paint, $1
• Hot glue gun and sticks, on hand

Total: $2

The post Make a Donut Softie from a Sock! appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

We’ve already talked about sock monkeys this week, but what else can you make out of socks?  Over at Craft Passion, Joanne used plain ol’ white socks to make a squishy little skeleton couple just in time for Halloween!  Using a pattern she found on the Martha Stewart website, she adapted it and added her own details to create  both a male and female version.  Each skeleton is constructed using a pair of socks, one that becomes the body and another that is assembled into the limbs.  She even did an adorable photo shoot with the bony lovebirds, so be sure to check them out!  [how to make skeleton sock dolls]

Project estimate:

• Socks, $1 and up
• Sewing machine, on hand
• Embroidery floss, on hand or $1
• Polyfill, on hand or about $3
• Buttons, on hand
• Felt, on hand
• Yarn, on hand
• Fabric, on hand
• Ribbon, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Skeleton Sock Dolls appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

One of  the craft blogs I follow very closely is Craft Hope.  The site organizes various crafting-for-charity projects throughout the year, each time collecting a specific handmade item to donate to a different cause.  They have just announced their 15th project, creating sock monkeys to distribute to children in Texas.

It was a very, very hot summer in Texas, and the resulting dry conditions have paved the way for devastating wildfires.  Entire towns have burned to the ground, leaving whole communities with not a possession in the world.  Craft Hope founder Jade lives in Texas, and will be personally handing out the monkeys to children whose families were among the over 1,600 who lost their homes this summer.   The mailing deadline for the project is November 24, 2011.  [read more about making sock monkeys for Texas children]

I’ve already headed to Dollar Tree and bought a few pairs of socks.  If you want to help as well but have never made a sock monkey before, here is a list of tutorials (all pretty much the same) to get you going:

• Sock monkey tutorial at Craft Stylish (excerpted from the Craft Hope book)
• Sock monkey tutorial at Craftbits
• Sock monkey tutorial at Super Sock Monkey
• Sock monkey tutorial at Web Goddess

For something a little different, I also found sock monkey knitting and crochet patterns from Patons Yarn (scroll to the bottom of the page for pattern links).

The post Crafting for Charity: Sock Monkeys for Texas appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.