Christmas Gift Idea: Ice Dye Socks Personalized with Cricut Iron-On Foil

Learn how to make a personalized and truly one-of-a-kind gift idea!
Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Cricut. All opinions are my own and always will be! Thanks for supporting the content that keeps Jojotastic going.

If there are two things I love in life it would be making personalized Christmas gifts and ice dyeing fabric. I’m always on the lookout for ways to DIY presents for my friends and family. So today, I am stoked to team up with Cricut to share a quick and easy tutorial and teach you how to ice dye socks. Yup, SOCKS, the quintessential holiday gift and stocking stuffer. Here is my step by step tutorial on how to ice dye socks, plus how to use Cricut’s iron on metallic foil for a personalized touch. Let’s get started!

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Ice Dye Socks and Add Personalized Iron-On Foil from Cricut

Materials & Tools

For ice dye:

For monogramming:

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift.  #cricutmade

Directions

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift.  #cricutmade

Add 1 cup of soda ash to 1 gallon of water in the plastic tub and mix until completely dissolved. Adjust the amount needed based on the size of your tub and how many items you’re planning to dye.

Now is a great time to assess if you’d like to ice dye other items by the way! For example, while dyeing these socks I also dyed 3 plain white cotton t-shirts for fun.

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift.  #cricutmade

Next, submerge your socks in the tub and allow to soak for 15-20 minutes. Don’t skip this step because soda ash helps to fix the dye and activates the color with the natural fibers of your socks.

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Once the socks have soaked for the allotted time, rinse under clean water and wring out any excess water. Then, place the rack in a second plastic tub and arrange the socks on the rack. Twist, wrap, and arrange the socks to create more visual interest once the dye sinks in.

By the way, you can save the soda ash mixture in a sealed container for additional dyeing projects, so don’t dump it! I have two plastic tubs that I use for this project so that I can keep my soda ash mixture on hand.

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Cover with ice (I used 1.5 bags of ice from our local gas station).

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Using a metal spoon and while wearing gloves, sprinkle on dye powder over the ice. Less is more and the water from the melting ice will help spread the color throughout the fabric.

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Here’s a close up of the ice dye in progress! As you can see, the melting ice draws the colorful dye into the fabric, creating a totally one-of-a-kind look that is similar to tie dye but more organic. Also, the procion dyes make totally new, unexpected colors which you can see toward the bottom of the image above. So cool, huh?

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Let the ice melt for 24 hours and then rinse. If you want to achieve a more pastel look, decrease the time. Isn’t it amazing how different the ice dye results look after the procion dye has absorbed??

Next, rinse each sock under clean, cold water until the water runs clear. After that, wash the socks just like normal laundry.

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Now it’s time to monogram with the Cricut Explore Air 2! Design the monogram in the Cricut Design Space — I used an exclusive font from Cricut called Tango Regular. I love the vintage vibe!

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Once you’re happy with the design, click Make It. Be sure to mirror your artwork so that the iron-on is oriented correctly.

Then, trim your foil according to the size needed, carefully press it onto the machine mat, load into the machine, and cut! Trim the finished piece so that each letter is separate, then using the weeding tool to remove excess.

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

Carefully place the monogram on your sock, then use an iron to adhere it. Iron on both sides of the sock. Allow to cool and then carefully peel away the clear cover of the foil.

I also used this technique to make customized ribbons that read ‘with love, Joanna’ for each pair of ice dyed socks. I love how easy Cricut makes it to add personalized touches to my Christmas gifts!

Learn how to make this personalized Christmas gift idea: Ice Dye Socks with iron-on foil monogramming using the Cricut Explore Air 2! #AD @cricut Step by step DIY tutorial, how to ice dye, how to use Cricut to personalize a holiday gift. #cricutmade

What do you think of how my monogrammed ice dye socks turned out?? I’m totally going to make a batch for myself next.

Don’t forget: if you make personalized ice dye socks using this tutorial, be sure to post a photo and tag me on Instagram! I always love seeing how these DIYs turn out for you.

Photography & styling by Jojotastic.

Behind The Blog

Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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Please note that I use affiliate links at times here, as well as on my social media accounts. This means that if you click on a link to a product and purchase that product, I may receive a commission based on your purchase. I only feature products that truly inspire me. Any products that have been gifted to Jojotastic for review are noted at the bottom of the post. Sponsored posts are noted as such. All opinions are my own and always will be! Thanks for supporting content that keeps Jojotastic going.

Leave a Comment

2 Comments

  1. 12.6.21
    Kate Hunka said:

    Awesome! This might just be what I make and take home for Xmas for everyone (fam SO big!).
    One Q: your instructions said “cotton socks” but the link goes to a pack that is 73% Cotton (+other materials). Are these the socks you used?
    They look so soft and comfy! Thanks for the tutorial!

    • 12.6.21
      Joanna said:

      I am so glad you love this DIY! And great question: that link is to the exact socks I used, so you’re all good there. Make sure that cotton/natural fiber is the highest percentage of the fabric so that the dye works. Basically, synthetics don’t take dye the same way, but it’s ok to have some in the fabric. Hope that helps!