Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It's Tutorial Tuesday - recycled wool shoe/boot insoles!


A couple of my readers mentioned that they make these, and it's a fabulous idea... and easy! Why buy expensive insoles for your shoes & boots, when you can make a pair for the whole family out of one sweater? Wool has natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, wicks away moisture (aka sweaty feet!), is insulated (will keep your toes toasty in the winter), and comfy! I hate wearing socks, so these are great for me!

You know that sweater you had planned for a project, but it felted up too much, and you set it aside? Go get it!

Just trace a foot (yes, I am wearing Christmas socks in February), and cut it out. I like to use my son's washable markers for stuff like this.


Now take that piece & flip it over to use it as a pattern to cut out the other foot. If you have 2 different sized feet (some people do), I recommend tracing each foot separately.


Voila! Now you have insoles, at a fraction of the price of the ones in the store, but are better because they are all natural & recycled to boot!


Now you can just place them in your shoes, like they are, or you can secure them down somehow. For the people that have already made these... what do you do? I personally just stick them in my shoes as is, and hold them down with a thumb as I slip my foot in, as pictured below.

10 comments:

Anne Magee said...

This is great! I have a couple of pair of shoes that could use this! Thanks for sharing!

paula said...

Oh my gosh! This is SUCH a great idea! I just switched to minimalist running shoes- and while I appreciate the thinner sole giving me more feedback from the road- I can feel the cold icy blacktop coming though. I am totally doing this right now. I can't believe I had never thought of it- what a great idea and thanks for sharing.

LBB said...

What a great idea!! I'm making these!! Thanks for the how to :)

Anudja said...

Yey! I was waiting for this post! I have just the thick felted sweater to do this with too. I'm going to make these this weekend. I can't wait!

Sally said...

I made some this a.m. and they kept my feet nice and toasty walking down the frozen road to work. I used some Sulky spray adhesive to keep them in place and it seems to be working fine. I was thinking that putting on some rubber cement and letting it dry before inserting them might work too.

C.S. said...

I was extremely pleased to read this! I have sweaty feet, and only recently discovered the wonderful benefits of wool socks for regulating my temperature. I am thinking that perhaps, for a more 'durable' insert, of gluing the wool to some leather (reusing a worn out boot body). Thanks for sharing your wool sweater repurposing! I can't wait to go to a thrift store now (I have no wool sweaters).

Evelyn Franklin said...

I just came across this yesterday and love your idea. I buy old bulky wool sweaters and undue them and make slippers, I buy old leather coats at the thrift shop also for sewing on leather soles. After a few years the heel bottom wears out, I am going to make these insoles out of old sweaters and the slippers should last a years longer. Thank you for your tutorial.

Unknown said...

Are these only for winter? Would they be too hot to wear other seasons? Thank you. Great idea!

Anna gomes said...

Hunting Boot Insoles

Jordan said...

Nice piece! However, something doesn't make sense! You say you hate wearing socks, but you're wearing Christmas socks in February in the tutorial! What's going on?!