Here's How To Make Sock Blockers in Few Easy Steps

Want to learn how to make sock blockers from wire? This is the guide for you!

Sock blockers are essential tools for knitters, ensuring handmade socks are shaped perfectly. Sure, you can just buy sock blockers at the store, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, you can make them yourself and save a bit of money in the process.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of creating your own sock blockers using steel wire (or wire hangers) in just a few simple steps. With minimal materials and basic crafting skills, you can create custom blockers that will help you achieve perfectly shaped socks every time and make them look their best.

So, let’s dive in and discover how to make sock blockers from wire effortlessly!

What Are Sock Blockers?

Knitted socks can look a bit funny with a narrow cuff and a pouch-like foot once they’re finished. And they often need to be stretched and reshaped to achieve a uniform size and to highlight intricate stitch patterns.

That’s where sock blockers come in to play. They are typically made from sturdy materials like wire, wood, or plastic, resembling the shape of a sock. Sock blockers provide a sturdy form onto which you can place wet or damp socks, allowing them to dry in the desired shape.

By using sock blockers, you can ensure that your socks retain their intended size and shape, resulting in a more professional and polished finished product. Additionally, sock blockers aid in the blocking process by evenly stretching the fabric, smoothing out wrinkles, and helping socks maintain their structural integrity.

A knitted sock in a wire sock blocker next to wooden knitting needles

That being said, sock blockers are essential tools for knitters during the blocking process. However, you don’t necessarily need them for blocking socks though they are really handy. You can read more about blocking itself here in how to block knitting and achieve the perfect fit and look.

Another thing to consider is whether socks need blocking or not. If you are knitting socks for yourself or someone close who wants to wear them straight away, blocking might not be crucial. However, if they are gifts or you are going to take photographs of them, blocking will make them look better, especially if there’s lace or other patterns.

What Materials Can Be Used for DIY Sock Blockers?

When it comes to making your own sock blockers, there are a few key materials that can be repurposed or readily acquired to craft your own.

Wire hangers are a popular choice due to their accessibility and ease of shaping. With just a pair of pliers, you can easily bend and shape wire hangers into the desired foot shape, providing a sturdy base for blocking socks. However, they may lack stability and durability compared to other materials.

Another material commonly used for DIY sock blockers is cardboard. Cardboard offers a budget-friendly option that can be easily cut into foot shapes using scissors or a craft knife. It’s lightweight and customizable. By layering cardboard pieces for thickness and reinforcing them with adhesive tape, you can create blockers that are sturdy enough to hold their shape during the blocking process. However, it may not hold up well over time, especially when exposed to moisture.

For those with woodworking skills or access to scrap wood, carving or cutting wooden blockers can provide a more durable and long-lasting option. Wood offers a rustic aesthetic and can be customized to fit your foot perfectly. However, it may be heavier and bulkier than other materials.

Regardless of the material used, sock blockers serve the same purpose: to shape and size handmade socks for a professional-looking finish. Ultimately, the best material for your DIY sock blockers will depend on factors such as budget, crafting skills, and desired durability and aesthetics.

What You’ll Need To Make Sock Blockers From Wire

Wire sock blockers are my go-to sock blockers for knitting. They are durable and long-lasting, allowing them to withstand repeated use without losing their shape or effectiveness. This durability ensures that wire sock blockers provide reliable support for blocking socks, even after multiple projects. Secondly, they are lightweight, making them easy to handle and store.

Next, I will be showing you how to make sock blockers from wire. To make your own sock blockers, you’ll need a few simple materials that are likely already in your home or easily accessible.

Wire (or wire hangers) for creating the frame base for the blockers, providing structure and support.
Pliers for bending and shaping the wire into the desired sock shape.
Sheet of paper for
Pencil or Pen

Woolen socks, wire, pliers, paper, and a pencil placed next to each other — You will need only few materials and tools for making sock blockers at home.

For making sock blockers, you’ll want to use a wire that is sturdy yet flexible enough to be shaped into the desired form. The most commonly used wire for this purpose is galvanized steel wire or aluminum wire. Both are durable and easy to bend, making them convenient to work with. They are also resistant to rust, which is important if your blockers get damp during use.

I am using galvanized steel wire for my sock blockers. It has a good amount of stiffness, making it ideal for holding the shape of the sock blocker. If you opt for using aluminum wire you may need to double up the wire or add extra support for larger blockers as it may not be as strong as galvanized steel wire.

How To Make Sock Blockers Step-by-Step

By following these 5 steps, you can create a custom-sized sock blocker that perfectly matches your sock shape while allowing room for proper stretching and shaping of your socks during blocking.

Step 1: Draw a Template

Place a knitted sock on a blank sheet of paper and trace around the sock, leaving about 1/4 inches (6mm) around the outer edge. This means that the blocker template should be a slightly larger than the actual socks allowing the fabric to stretch a bit.

A hand holding a pencil and drawing the outlines of a knitted sock on a piece of paper — Make sure to draw the template slightly larger than the actual socks.

Step 2: Prepare the Wire

Measure a correct amount of steel wire. I am making sock blockers for US size 7 1/2 (or EUR size 38) and I am using steel wire that is about 70 inches (175cm) long. You want to have a bit of extra wire so that it will be easier to shape the hook.

Start by carefully straightening the wire.

Step 3: Shape the Sock Blocker

Next, it’s time to start shaping the sock blocker from toe up. So, find the halfway of the wire and start shaping the toe.

You can use a round object that matches the size of your drawing to make the shaping easier. For example, I used a small plant pot and bent the wire around it to achieve the correct round shape for the toe.

Then continue shaping the foot and finally the heel, mimicking the size and contours of your drawing. Make sure to pay close attention to the heel and toe areas, as these are crucial for shaping the socks properly.

Hands bending a wire with a sock blocker template on the background — Bend the wire with your hands into the shape of a sock.

Next, shape the cuff by making square-like edges on both sides. The length of the cuff depends on how long socks you usually knit and want to block. It can be anywhere between short and extra long. Mine is about 12 inches (30cm) long from the bottom of the heel.

A hand holding a bent steel wire — Shape the cuff by making square-like edges on both sides.

Take your time to adjust the wire until you’re satisfied with the overall shape. Remember, the more accurately you shape the wire, the better your socks will look when blocked. You can also do a test fit by slipping a sock onto the blocker to check the fit, ensuring there’s enough room for stretching.

Step 4: Secure the Wire Ends

Once you’re happy with the shape and size, carefully secure the wire ends together tightly to maintain the shape and to ensure the frame remains sturdy. You can do this by bending the wire so that the one end of the wire makes a loop around the other end. You will need pliers here to make the loop and the connection tight.

Hands holding a wire and twisting the wire ends with pliers on the background — Make sure that the connection is tight so that the sock blocker will hold its shape.

Step 5: Shape the Hook for Hanging

Finally, twist the ends of the wire around each other with pliers for about 6 inches (15cm) and bend it into the shape a hook for hanging. Finalize the sock blocker by cutting off the extra wire with pliers. Congratulations! The frame for your homemade sock blockers is now completed.

The hook end of a sock blocker made by twisting the wire — A hook is optional for a sock blocker but it comes very handy when blocking and drying the socks.

Now that you have the frame of your sock blocker completed, you can further straighten the wire with your hands to make it nice and smooth without any bends and kicks.

TIP: If the heel and gusset area seems stubborn to stay wide enough, you can add a straight piece of wire there to keep it firm and in place. To do this, you will need a short piece of wire that is about 5 inches (15cm) long. Place the wire between the heel and gusset part of the blocker. Then twist one end of the wire around the frame wire on the heel side and the other end around the frame wire on the gusset side.

Make sure to make the twist tight with the pliers. Finally cut the extra wire with pliers and twist the sharp ends so that they are towards the inside of the sock blocker frame. This way, they will not snag or damage the socks when pulling them on.

The foot end of a wire sock blocker with a support piece added between the heel and the ankle part — You can add a short piece of wire for the heel and ankle area for extra support.

Using a Wire Hanger for Sock Blockers

You can also use a wire hanger to make sock blockers instead of plain wire. In fact, repurposing wire hangers is a popular and cost-effective option for DIY sock blockers. Wire hangers are readily available and can be easily shaped into the desired form for blocking socks.

To use a wire hanger for sock blockers, you’ll first need to carefully straighten it out to form a long, straight piece of wire free from bends or kinks. Then, you can bend and shape the wire into the outline of the sock as per the instructions above.

While wire hangers may not be as thick or sturdy as some other types of wire, they can still work well for making sock blockers, especially for lighter weight socks or smaller sizes. However, if you’re making larger or heavier blockers, you may want to double up the wire or add extra support to ensure they maintain their shape effectively.

Overall, using a wire hanger for sock blockers is a practical and budget-friendly option that can yield great results with a little bit of creativity and effort.

Finishing Touches

To ensure your homemade sock blockers are both sturdy and comfortable to use, follow these helpful tips for smoothing out rough edges and securing the frame:

File Down Rough Edges: After shaping the wire frame, use a metal file or sandpaper to smooth out any sharp or rough edges. This will prevent them from snagging or damaging your socks during the blocking process.
Wrap with Tape: If you’re concerned about rough edges, consider wrapping the wire frame with a layer of electrical tape or duct tape. This will provide an additional barrier between the wire and your socks, ensuring they remain unharmed.
Double Check Connections: Inspect the connections where the wire ends meet and make sure they are twisted tightly together. If any areas feel loose, use pliers to tighten them further.
Test for Stability: Before using your sock blockers, give them a gentle shake and make sure all parts of the frame are securely attached. If you notice any wobbling or instability, reinforce the connections with additional wire or tape.
Cover the Hook: If the end of the hook is too sharp for your taste, you can put a needle stopper or something similar at the end of it.

The hook end of a wire sock blocker with a needle stopper attached to the hook — If the end of the hook is sharp, you can attach a needle stopper at the end of it.

Once you have added the finishing touches to your DIY sock blockers, it’s time to start blocking. Make sure to check out how to block socks in this beginner’s guide to knitting socks.

Conclusions

Now that you know how to make sock blockers, you’re equipped with a handy skill for your crafting endeavors.

DIY sock blockers offer a budget-friendly and customizable option for shaping and sizing knitted socks for anyone who enjoys making socks at home. By repurposing materials like wire hangers, you can create blockers that perfectly fit your socks and make them look their best.

With just a few basic materials and some creativity, you can elevate your sock-making game and achieve consistent and well-finished socks. So why wait? Start your DIY sock blocker project today and take your handmade socks to the next level!

Happy sock blocking!