90 percent no-sew sock turtle - a kids' degrowth craft

Here's a craft for ages 4 and up in which we'll make a cute little sock turtle. Adults will probably want to be on-hand to help out and to attach the legs and eyes at the end.

You will need:

• Stuffing of some sort. I'm cutting up spent socks.

• A worn-out tall men's sock - The one I used had a differently colored heel and toe, which made a cute contrast on the turtle.

• Rubber bands. I'm using old produce bands. You could probably also use wire bread ties.

• Buttons (optional) - You can also glue something or use a white sock and draw the eyes on, further reducing the sewing.

• Needle and Thread (Optional) - You could potentially hot glue the legs on, but I'd test out the adhesion first.

Step 1: Shred ripped old socks for stuffing.

I had a bunch of spent socks to use for stuffing, but you could also use and old pillow or something like that. If you're cutting up socks, the smaller the pieces, the more moldable but the harder for little hands to maneuver.

Step 2: Cut tube portion of the sock out.

Cut the foot portion off the sock. Cut the elastic band from the top off as well. This is my husband's sock, which is about a size 11, I think? You could potentially use a smaller sock, but the turtle will be smaller and harder to work with.

Step 3: Tie off one end of the sock tube

Tie off one end. I'm using orange rubber bands which turns out to be helpful in this demonstration.

Step 4: Cut off the toe of the sock.

Cut the toe off. The bottom, where the toes wear against the ground will probably be all torn up, but the toe should be good. This contrasting color made for a cute head on the turtle.

Step 5: Wrap the curved part of the toe around the fabric gathered by the rubber band. Secure with another rubber band.

Wrap the curved part of the toe fabric around the fabric gathered on the other side of the rubber band. Make sure you can pull it all the way around so it can be secured with a second rubber band.

When you've made sure the fabric will encase the gathered fabric in a pleasing way (the seam can form a little nose if you're careful) then go ahead and cut the toe of the sock. This'll be roughly in half.

Secure the fabric with a rubber band. I used this chonker, but maybe use something a little narrower if you can. We're going to cover it later. Put your ugly bands in the head and neck.

Trim out any over-hang. Make sure it's secure first! This is the turtle's head.

Step 6: Stuff the tube of the sock. Secure the "Tail" with a rubber band.

I didn't get great pictures of this part because I got side-tracked by baby things. Fill the turtle's body/ shell and secure the tail with a rubber band. Mold it around with your thumbs to be roughly flat on the bottom. I also put the elastic from the top of the sock around the neck to cover the green rubber band.

Step 6: Cut out legs.

Cut the legs out from the heel/ remaining toe fabric. I find them cuter if they're a little curved.

Step 7: Sew on legs.

Sew the legs on. This doesn't have to be super neat, it's just a few stitches. You could also try hot glue, but your adhesion is going to depend on your fabric. On this looser woven fabric, it'd probably tear away more easily.

Step 8: Sew/ Draw on Eyes.

Sew on the eyes (or draw on) and that's it! You've got a little zero-waste friend and hopefully an entertained child. Enjoy!