Laptop Compubody Sock

Here're instructions for making an eye-catching hoodie for your laptop to use in public spaces for warmth and privacy. These are more sculptures than they are practical devices, and as such they're a fun challenge for knitting because of the complex form. A great site for learning a bunch of different knitting techniques with fantastic videos is knittinghelp.com. You can read more about this project, which is part of a series of similar devices, at my website.

What you'll need:
-a laptop computer, pda, or other electronic device
-yarn (I used about 10 skeins for this)
-knitting needles (straight, double-pointed, and circular)
-stitch markers
-stitch holders
-yarn needle
-scissors
-a sense of humor

Step 1: Measure your laptop

Knit a test swatch of your yarn and determine the number of stitches and rows per inch (gauge). This may differ from any gauge listed on the yarn packaging, as everyone knits at a different tension. Measure your laptop's base, and figure out how many stitches and rows will be required to make the underbelly of the sock. Number of stitches per inch * number of inches = total number of stitches. I chose to knit my underbelly in a different color than the rest of the device.

Comments

[liberty5-3000]

I've seen this photo floating around the internet for years & I always giggled!
-thrilled to finally find the origin, and unsurprised that this is where it originated. Bravo!

[Johnny_Truant]

ridiculous

[Samuel Bernier]

Your have GREAT instructables. Thanks for sharing all those ideas. Bravo. Anything else coming soon? Ideas for valentine's day?

[ostark]

If I paid you, would you make me one? Hahaha.

[astroboy907]

Can anyone else see someone wearing this on an airplane??

[Itscrafty]

Porn Porn Porn Porn Porn, if you watch beavis and butt-head you will know what im saying.

[mattthomas992003]

lunch with family porn porn porn porn

[qwiboh]

Hey dad porn porn porn

[sir instructable]

hahahahahaha YES /\

[jnakasone]

Use this on an airplane and you can also meet an air marshal!

[flyingpuppy]

Someone's got way too much time and yarn on their hands. And has been reading too many Dr. Seuss books. : )

[dreamberry]

My first thought was also THNEED. Indeed.

[mary candy]

Claustrophobia ^^

[rhoaste]

Excellent. It would certainly be interesting to see some reaction videos of people using the Laptop Compubody Sock whilst playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent alone in an unlit room.

[tjesse]

I cried laughing... Twice. The second time I noticed the hand holes. This is one of the weirdest things I have seen on this site in a while. This will be on early morning tv for $19.95 in no time! But wait! There's more. Act now and you will get the keyboard Sockie free! (Just pay additional shipping and handling)

[bond815]

This is wrong on so many levels but I'll say just one word...Dorkie!

[kotten]

Move over Snuggie, the next American Fad is coming.

[foobear]

I have wished for a portable privacy booth I could carry with me, but I can't think of any way to make one that doesn't make you look like a complete weirdo... oh well... I sort of like it but I would never use such a thing...

[punkhead58]

Cool design, but in my area, the last thing you want to do is filter out your surroundings. Still good for home use, though.

[zazukain]

Using this on a bus, LIKE A BOSS! At work, LIKE A BOSS! In an airport, LIKE A BOSS! In a bank, LIKE A BOSS!

Great instructable by the way. =)

[Jaycub]

This is so wierd looking. Mabey you can add a webcam on top of where your head goes so you can see out without taking it off.

[Sovereignty]

Looks like you're serving 5 for fighting.

[9mvp9]

Think this would work with Cardboard? or other materieals?

[straightshooter1]

How do you put it on? I'm so confused.

[yaly]

cool, weird and i think i can wear it as a turtle neck

[ps1x]

This is pornoscope!

[nerd12]

with laptops like mine (which would cause a nuclear meltdown in five minutes with out a cooling pad, this is bad as it would cause synthetic warn to stick itself to you at the least.
other than that it is awesome. it kinda looks like a giraffes sweater with the holes for the forelegs and the looong neck but it looks nice. i cannot believe that, that was even possible by hand. good job.

PS. for privacy you should look at the recent newsletter with the privacy screen.

[RedIrishman]

If I saw you in public with this on, I'd probably try to save your life. "OMG the computer is trying to steal her soul" lol okay I'm done. (couldn't help myself) Does the computer get too hot with this on? Just wondering what the breatheability is.

[Alberta Leong]

wicked!! :D

[prosper58]

For some reason this reminds me of Dead Hand from Ocarina of Time

[batonas]

LOL best thing ever :D

[ajStitchWitch]

A++++++++ for the effort, it's truely safe to say, you can knit anything now, if you couldn't before!! Its not for me, but if it makes you happy, or it's very cold out, then this is perfect for you!!! :)

[Flyinseamnky]

Your missing a hole... Right at the "touch sensitive pad"

[Shadowpom]

 Bad idea it can overheat your laptop

[Flyinseamnky]

agreed.

[bibyam]

mala idea la compu se calienta y uno tambien se sofoca!! horrible no me imagino alli metida que asco de calor!!!

[yudhz]

HAHAHA....

[pluie]

LOL. great idea. but a claustrophobic like me can't wear that. I'll probably faint while waiting for my mail inbox to open. still amazing though.

[mee-mee]

yeah, about that...how do you breathe??!!..n_n

[werty.]

This is so cute! :OO

[SageMinto]

Very creative and funky. I like it =)

[Goodhart]

This looks (to me) like the "poor man's cone of silence"

For those of you not old enough to have seen the original Get Smart series, nor the movie:

[Tessab]

i was on the phone when i first saw this and i laughed for so long that the person hung up on me haha but anyways this is awesome :)

[kiafayce]

 I first saw this and I was like "PHSS I'd NEVER make that"

...but now I'm starting to see the practicality of it and I'm strongly considering knitting one in Lime and Black. XD

[HellaCaj]

Wow, this is...special...

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

would u sell 1?

[Killer~SafeCracker]

Ha HA, This is cool, interesting, and new. I like it.

[kristenallford]

that is hilarious. i bet you'd get so many weird looks that you can't see anyway.

[porcupinemamma]

WONDERFUL!!!!!!

[Mr.NHRA]

Great idea! Why wouldn't somebody like this? It's so cool! and its very challenging.

[jcomtois]

Weird-cool. Looks like a Thneed, made from a trufula tree ( from Dr. Seuss). Might work, or it might need some ventilation holes. At least your seatmates on the plane will have a good story to tell.

[ItsTheHobbs]

Everybody needs a thneed from the trufula tree!

[WillsBradford]

The lorax wouldn't be happy

[Mr.NHRA]

I read that book every night before i went to bed as a kid.

[dombeef]

Yeah!

[Numb-Nuts]

When I first saw this I literally laughed out loud, which is bad cause I work in a children's book store and I laugh like a psycho. now people are staring, sweet! wish I had the skill to make this.

[icewolf]

the first photo looks really funny! nice instructable!

[bowmaster]

This will come in handy for when I'm watching videos on youtube and my little brothers and sisters won't go away.

[wenpherd]

exactly

[grimgroper]

yes... youtube... ;-)

[Flyinseamnky]

LOL is that what they call it now?

[bowmaster]

Like weapon videos. My two little brothers will not go away when I'm trying to watch weapon videos.

[tictaclad]

weapons suuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrreeeeeee

[DragonX777]

Okay sockhead.

[DragonX777]

It looks kind of ridiculous wearing that in public, kind of funny though. lol

[Eirinn]

Looks cute and quite a unique project, however it looks to me like you're covering the ventilation holes. A laptop easily goes up to 62C and if you block the ventilation you might end up overheating it under stress - just a little warning.

[KC0GRN]

I had a good laugh when I saw the picture and suddenly wished I knew how to knit. The idea is very creative and suits what the author wanted it to be, somewhat of a conversation piece I think :) (Kind of ironic given the fact the idea is to allow you some amount of privacy in a public setting while instantly drawing attention to yourself, hehe). I'm writing this comment on an old toshiba laptop I inherited that has a few noisy fans and the model is commonly known for overheating issues, I'm guessing the Compubody Sock wouldn't be a good idea for it without some serious modifications to the design to allow for airflow/cooling. That said, it'd be fun to have one, if for nothing more than to show it off to others. Nice choice of colors on the yarn, I can't tell with the lighting, is the primary color Orange? (not that I'm biased, but that is my favorite color).

[Skyfinity]

Wow. I have done this before with my sweater! I can't believe someone manufactured one!

[qwertos]

Very cool!! If I could knit I would make one. Sorta looks like your head is being sucked into the computer... like that episode of Doctor Who, "The Wire". 5 stars

[Darren.]

Im sure everyone wants to look cool in one of those!

[red-king]

rofl... it looks kinda freaky...

[micgormit]

I just saw an article about this in a weekly entertainment newspaper in Toronto called EyeWeekly. This is freakin' funny. Kudos to you.

[bekathwia]

omg can you scan it or take a picture for me? That's awesome! Thanks!

[micgormit]

Sure, here is the link.

[theaznassassinx]

wow i think it would work well with a over reacting room mate that gets annoyed by the light coming off your laptop... it looks silly, just admit it. but its soo uberiffic! i mean really, how many people have seen others wear this? i think im gonna go make one! (and i can look at my NSFW stuff at the airport! lol

[the_intelligent_pickle]

cant the laptop overheat in that thing? either way its a pretty interesting idea, thumbs up on the instructable and its creativity

[ProjectZro]

can you say over heating

[Bardouv]

I may be the only one...but, this reminds me of the nobodies in kingdom hearts 2 that danced around and then picked you up and threw you through the air. Andway, great instructable, and really awesome idea.

[wolf555hound]

wow...lol

[999592]

thats really cool (i guess) but what would be the practical uses (Other than not letting others see what your doing and keeping yourself warm in a cold office)?

[082535]

That is very cool but impractical I don't see someone using this any where in public. And doesn't your face get very hot with the natural body heat combined with laptop exhaust heat?

[monkey666]

yea wouldant your laptop over heat in that?

[marcosdjcm]

thats crazy! the day i see someone using one of those in public, i'll eat my own hair! good marks for outrageousness

[olivier94austin]

lol great for PORN!!!!

[ZachPosey]

i was on another website, and i saw an ad at the bottom, it had the pictures in this instructable and wtf on it, heres the link to the page the ad lead to, if i see the ad again ill screenshot it for you http://girlsentertainmentnetwork.com/gadgets/clare-warm-laptop-privacy-0-lunch-money/?

[bobolot]

To improve it make a hole stick the lense of a webcam through and you can see the out side world!

[casey321b]

that is so awesomely geeky. I love it!!!

[Chiozzo]

It's a Thneed!!! A wonderful something that everyone needs!!

[beaulingpin]

finally, a way to completely remove any possibility of human interaction from the art of computing. I'm sick of seeing other people while I use my computer, and what's even better is I can make a heat chamber with a very powerful heat source, a computer! Very nice human oven, although a bit macabre.

[quiltmaster]

What fun! Kewl!

[jonathan.risk]

This is realy creepy! And somewhat usefull! More creepy then usefull i feel though.

[ghostguard7]

Amen.

[ghostguard7]

(removed by author or community request)

[bekathwia]

Ok, here goes: it's only meant to be art and social commentary, not a practical device. I thought I made that clear in the intro. See step 7 also. Since my MacBook Pro has no air intakes on the bottom, fuzz isn't really an issue. I left it in the compubody sock for several hours the other day during a show and it didn't overheat. It was certainly warm, but I don't know a MBP that isn't. And as for being "little more than a modified and kitted turtle neck," that simply is not the case. This is a product of careful measuring, contstruction, trial and error, fitting, and reworking. I estimate it took more than 50 hours to complete.

[ghostguard7]

Don't you have concerns about the static charge that could build up? There's bound to be friction. Unless, of course, you weaved in a grounding connection. Seems like an awfully high risk just to keep your hands warm (use gloves?) or give a false sense of security (if someone wants to see, I'm not sure yarn will halt their interest - a pair of binoculars or a scope behind the user would easily show what was on the screen...at the right angle.) An interesting, but rather silly idea, I think. It looks like a photography dark bag, for handling film in daylight conditions.

[ghostguard7]

My apologies. My server hadn't sent the final step's pictures. It may protect your browsing privacy...but what about you not being able to see what's going on around you. Now, I think this may even be dangerous.

[alexhdavis]

There is no way an attacker would approach someone that had one of these things on! If you had the guts to be sitting in public with this thing on, and you didn't have any valuables in plain sight, nobody is going to think your worth the risk. (You could have a knife in there!) And by the way, if you are in a public place, with your feet on the ground, and the sock is only connected to you and your computer, how would you EVER build up a static charge if you are sharing a magnetic field?

[ghostguard7]

(removed by author or community request)

[blueberry_fox]

ghost gard i'm gonna humur your silly train of argument for a second. But how would sombody know that you actually had a lap top in there? it is totaly coverd? secondly the following it is clearly stated in this instructable: "These are more sculptures than they are practical devices," This is an experiment in to creative knitting for fun and enjoyment and also as art? quit trying to poke holes in a project that was never designed as a practical solution to a problem.

[ghostguard7]

I understand your intentions. It IS clever, and I don't wish to start an argument. I am, however, generally pessimistic. This usually lends me to seeing even undesirable potential. I can't change who I am, and will not try to. As an artistic piece, this is cool. I can't imagine how many hours of knitting were required before an actual use was designed. I still disagree with the safety aspect, though. I'm not sure where you live, but I would certainly not be comfortable with shutting off my field of view from events and people around you. Ladies, do you intend to keep your purse inside this or attached to you? You said you would humor my "silly train of argument". That's not humoring (but that's not even what I wanted by commenting on this). Your input is somehow more valid than mine? Don't discount me, and then explain is an an impractical "sculpture".

[bekathwia]

finally. Thanks!

[blueberry_fox]

no probs. And by the way i also think it is really rad!!! Must have been tricky to knit. So far all i can knit are squares and most of the time those come out as triangles any way :) lol

[bekathwia]

I live in Arizona, where it's very dry. Without the use of my compubody sock, I shock myself on my laptop pretty frequently. I know it's not great for my computer, but the thing is designed to dissipate /some/ static charge, otherwise it'd be fried by now. I would advise against the use of the compubody sock while working on your computer's innards.

[Matticus IV]

The sole of most shoes is not thick enough to stop electric charge from dissipating. One of the ways that you can see this is when you are using one of those globe things that generate static electricity (pardon the lack of a technical term). One must stand on a platform or the charge doesn't build up. They did an experiment with this kind of thing on Mythbusters.

[ghostguard7]

Thanks. I stand corrected.

[M3TALH3ADMAGGOT]

Its cool but you kinda look like a terrorist.Im gonna build one.Lol

[Metal4God]

omg i saw this on the news

[bekathwia]

where?

[Metal4God]

srry, no it was Fox News

[bekathwia]

can you find me a link pleeaassee?

[Metal4God]

trying to find, can't find it :-( srry

[Metal4God]

our local news, i forgot what the name was, it's on channle 6

[hurtmeplenty123]

this. is. THE. new style of the century!

[ugochick]

your laptop WILL overheat.

[thefonz101]

that looks badass, in a nerdy sort of way.

[Amnesia Wes]

There's a reason why a lot of laptop sleeves are made of neoprene: because they don't 'shed' lint into your keyboard like yarn, felt and practically any kind of material. It's a cute idea, but the fans on the bottom exit the air, but SUCK IN through the keyboard, pulling in all that lint and stray fabric/yarn. Not good.

[or1gb1u3]

that was funny fro the title I thought it was going to be an oversized ipod sock for your laptop

[Firebert010]

This is silly but neat and unique. Anybody know if it makes your laptop overheat?

[F1X0R]

well I've left mine wrapped up in a blanket (thought it was off) before now and it was fine, though it was Idle so I don't know.

[bekathwia]

I take "silly" as a compliment; it's supposed to make you scratch your head.

[Patrik]

Hmm... I think that compubody sock would get in the way of head scratching though! :-D

[DannyboyINXS]

(removed by author or community request)

[Firebert010]

Look buddy, I come across people like you all the time. I still don't know why you feel the need to argue with me just because you don't like me.

I'm a regular here, I have people who would support me, much more so than a nobody with like 34 posts.

The reason I said it was silly is because of the obvious...it looks silly. I have praised it in my above post, calling it "neat and unique."

I'll admit it's creative, but there are much more unique things on Instructables than this.

Please don't respond to this, I don't want to argue anymore.

[bekathwia]

Hey guys, I really appreciate your enthusiasm! Anything that generates an interesting conversation is alright by me, especially constructive criticism. Everyone's comments are valid; there's no need to snap at each other. I take the "be nice" policy to heart, so take your arguments elsewhere, please. =]

[Firebert010]

So sorry, I've already PMed him about it. No more hijacking your 'Ible, I promise.

I've tangled with him before, if you care to take a look the link's here. It's really not a big deal, he's just a little bit of a hothead =D

[ninjaimasta]

laptop vents are on the bottom dearie

[bekathwia]

There aren't any vents. There's a slit at the back bottom side where you insert the computer. As I said in the instructable, it may overhead your computer. I use a MacBook Pro, and most of the venting is through the bottom and the plate above the keyboard. because my computer doens't have any fan inlets or outlets, this won't overheat my computer any more than putting it on a desk without underside airflow, but the air chamber inside the facepiece may get warm. It's far from airtight, however.

[Firebert010]

I'm aware of that, thanks. This sock does cover the bottom.

[Ingulit]

Agreed. I'm FAIRLY sure this was already noticed. Maybe.

[technodude92]

mine are on the side. your results may vary.

[ladiesman247]

good idea... great idea in fact..but no offence who in the right world of mind would wear that' i mean *seriously* ????

[gggonzalez]

This idea is soooo geeky/freaky, its one of those things you look at at first and say "What the f*ck?", but moments later, you realize the utter genius of it. A couple of ideas to make it better. Have a large flap in the "bottom" part (with velcro), to allow for some better airflow on days where the heat would be unbearable. That shouldn't impact too badly on privacy. This is so weird/cool, I think it deserves some kind of recognition! Good for you!

[I_am_Canadian]

Thats really cool! Nice idea. I might suggest ptting some kind of brace around the neck so it will not fall down in your face.

[bitchqueen]

ROFL LOVE IT!! GENIUS!! lol, dunno about outdoors though, you'd probably hve a few peeps skutch ya on the way past but i could seriously see my kids wanting one of these - oh okay, maybe me too - in the winter!! :)

[WingDings]

Ha ha ha h a ah ah ahaha ha! Genius!

[Brendalillian]

You've made my day. I can just see my daft almost 21 year old son using it.It would certainly get a lot of comments. All in all a very ingenious if somewhat unusual idea.

[GrimWarhawk]

About safetly. Honestly, how many times have ANY of you been attacked while on a laptop in a public place. I mean, if your in a place you think that people are gonna flip out and go after you when you pull out the laptop then your probably not going to be taking your laptop to those places in the first place. But it is a very unique idea. Love the concept and it does what is supposed to... keep you warm and private.

[Zyzzyan]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PUT DOWN THE CAMERA AND HELP HER!! SHE'S BEING EATEN ALIVE!!!!!

[bekathwia]

nom nom nom

[Ingulit]

XD I love how you go along with it, as not many would :D

[rc jedi]

funny!

[rhino]

If you use this in public places, somebody is going to knock you out and take your laptop. This screams "STEAL MY LAPTOP!!!"

[thecheatscalc]

LOL, I think it's so ludicrous that it's cool! :P Definitely the most interesting use of knitting yet... Let me tell you though, that first picture really grabs the attention! Bet it drives people crazy wanting to see what's going on inside!

[noremakk]

Wouldn't this completely overheat your laptop?

[artobot]

I'm not sure I'd want to use it in a park. I like to have an idea of what going on around me in public places. THOUGH this would be awesome for dorm rooms where you have to share the same room and your roommate doesn't like the late night light from the LCD.

[phyzome]

Aw man, the OP *needs* to add a picture of what this looks like in a dark room. :-D

[peguiono]

This made my day, when I saw the picture I had to see this :] honestly is there anywhere I can buy one :oh? wait.... do I even have a laptop lol? anyways totally awesome :D

[jodybaker]

That's just a Thneed!

[Trebawa]

Indeed.

[a random John]

Have you tried this on the subway? It would give you privacy, keep you warm, and get you mugged...

[Decepticon]

I'm sorry but I don't think that is a good idea. 1st off, your laptop will overheat with a 'sweater' over the heat vents and air intake vents. 2nd, it looks rather (for lack of a better word) 'retarded'. It's unsafe especially in public places, someone could just run up hit youin the head and steal your laptop without you even seeing who did it. So good luck on this one.

[Spl1nt3rC3ll]

This is the oddest thing I have ever seen... I like it! I could use one of these. I hate people reading over my shoulder. Too bad I can't knit. *Cough cough* ;)

[Sunbanks]

My mom always reads over my shoulder.....It gets really annoying...

[Sunbanks]

That looks so cool!

[BMWalsh]

Lol, that MADE my day! This is the best idea I've seen in a long time (meaning that it is the creative best idea, not that practical like you said) Great Job!

[burningsuntech]

First a knitted mouse pad. Then a knitted mouse cover. Now the thing has grown and eaten its own creator! Cool! raving apache

[hedgiehog]

That almost a little bit creepy. Looks like a torture device.

[ninjaimasta]

LOL now thats an idea, use some sort of cable locking system around neck and wrists so the sock cannot be removed, then tie them to a chair and put Rick Astley on a continuous loop

[pooandwee]

your gonna look like such a pilloc using this.

[bekathwia]

Pardon my lack of slang knowledge, but what does that mean?

[jaehung105]

looks like fun, ha ha..

[adhdknitting]

this is fantastic, love it.

[rasta_bhoy]

hey maybe you can attach some usb fans on the side to get some ventilation. gotta watch out for heatstrokes, ya know

[Thornburg]

We always go deer hunting, and I bring my laptop. I am going to make a camo version of this.

[connorwillcocks]

Thats great now i can go on porn without my parent seeing and look like my Grandma at the same time ACE!!!!!!!

[darkmuskrat]

Holy crap XD I had this idea about a month ago, but passed it off because of my the time I had, This is so damn cool....now i can play WoW at 3am and no one will care(if thats a good thing :P)

[RetroPlayer]

If you could give it a little more of a "Silent Hill" appearance, I would probably buy it! :) Needs to look like stretched out, bloody skin, hooks, barbed wire, and a bit of horror steam-punk. Silent Hill Rocks. Yes it does.

[Print182]

is it easy to breathe in?

[Tbvck]

I think your invention is totaly rediculous, you could be mistaken for a Goey Duck or an Ostrich. Have you thought about just getting a privacy screen?

[billbob]

i think one of the benefits of this computer sock is that it blocks out light so you can see your screen easier in sunny places. a privacy screen wont do that.

[Tetranitrate]

You should definitely market and sell those. Your slogan could be "With the Compubody Sock, everything is SFW"

[Labot2001]

SFW??

[Tetranitrate]

SFW.

[Labot2001]

SFW?? OMG!!!

[Hougashucka]

nice idea but what if someone attacks you? very clever idea +1 but reconsider your saftey

[BoomBoom123]

This is.. very creative. it might look a little funny in a public place though. nice instructable

[Xtraboy]

Great Idea :) Realy funny :)

[ir0n_ma1den]

there needs to be a male version with a hole for your wee wee. yes, thats right, I said wee wee. deal

[zumbo333]

porn in public plus whacking off in public dude nice idea thats so America woot

[zumbo333]

i have a better invention for the same idea iv had it for a while but this is a little overkill

[explosivemaker]

...thats awesome....if you put your website/etc. on the outside you could get tons of people to visit your site.....thats what I would do....anyway...COOL!!!!!

[urbosssez]

oh oh u shoulda taken a pic of what it looks inside that! thatd be awesome but still very cool +1

[iq_abyss]

Thank, you made me giggle for quite a few minutes. I am now very happy. I have a buddy that knits, I'll be putting in a request for next christmas (lowercase "c").

[GorillazMiko]

Haha, this is so funny, but cool. +1 rating.

[Runeshai]

Reminds me of something from The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. ...I used to love that book.

[cornboy3]

Looks hot, literally

[LinuxH4x0r]

sweet! Great idea. This really helps with privacy, or when you don't want to bother people at night with the light from the screen

[canida]

Awesome! A great way to decrease my computer time.

[zachninme]

Really? It'd increase mine...

[Weissensteinburg]

That's great! My dad bought one of those polarized-esque privacy filters for his laptop screen, so when he goes on airplanes, people don't look over and read his e-mails (which people have done). He should have just made one of these!

[rachel]

Oh yeah! This is one of the silliest and yet most wonderful knit items I've ever seen. I love it.

[Shadow Dragon]

Lol. That looks useful. :D +1 rating Faved