Before you begin, you need to get the right supplies. Having high-quality socks is an important start to the process. Good-quality socks will tend to hold the dyes more effectively. Plus, if you are putting in the work to dye them, you probably want to wear them a few times. So, investing in the right socks is a good idea. Additionally, you will need the following items:

• dyes
• bottles (these can often be purchased with the dyes in a kit)
• vinyl or similar gloves (must be disposable)
• bands or string (rubber bands tend to be the easiest)
• or large bowl of water
• cover for your work area such as a plastic sheet
• waterproof container for your finished socks

This is typically a messy process, especially if you are doing it with children. So, make sure you have an area that is easy to clean. It is usually a good idea to tie-dye outdoors.

Once you have your supplies ready and your work area set up, you are ready to tie-dye. The following six steps are all you need to do.

Before you begin, you will need to get the socks wet. They should be damp all the way through but not dripping. Dunk them in your water container then wring them out.

Fold your socks to help design your pattern. You can try all sorts of things such as spirals, bunches, diagonal twists and more. If you are doing multiple pairs of socks, try getting creative with your folds to see how each design comes out. Typically, more circular folds look the best.

Once you fold a pair, use your rubber bands or string to bind each sock into a package. This will help to ensure a nice, even pattern.

Some dyes need to be diluted or mixed with water before you can use them. Make sure to follow the instructions provided with the dyes. Take the time to mix them thoroughly to ensure the best possible results.

The next step is the big one! Take out your dyes in their squirt bottles and get started dying. Typically, the best approach is to dye each section that you created when you bound the socks into a folded shape. Like all additive colors, dyes will mix. If you mix too many, it will turn into an ugly brown shade. So, try to keep the areas separate. Socks typically require a significant amount of dye to be fully impregnated with color. Make sure to insert the tip of the bottle between the crevices of the socks.

Once you have dyed your socks, you should let them sit for a while. In most cases, 12 hours will do the trick. This will allow the dye to soak into the fibers. Follow the instructions provided with your chosen dyes. If you are uncertain, you can always leave them sitting for longer.

Finally, you can wash and dry your socks. After that, they will be ready to wear.

For washing, take some time to rinse them thoroughly first. A lot of dye will come out, so consider doing this outdoors with a garden hose or in your water bucket. Then, you can wash them in a laundry machine. Just make sure to only put your tie-dye creations in by themselves – the colors will run.

Dry them on the hottest setting your machine can offer. This will help to set the colors.

Now you know how to tie-dye socks, you are ready to create some amazing designs at home. Whether you want to tie-dye your own or order some custom socks, having unique socks can be a lot of fun. Socks Rock has tons of cool, custom designs for you to choose from. We carry both athletic and fashion socks. So, check out our catalog today and place your order.