Gift This: Auto-Pausing Netflix Socks

So there you are, watching Netflix, binging on some TV series that everyone’s talking about when you suddenly fall asleep. What happens? Netflix keeps playing, running through a few more episodes while you catch some Zs.

Imagine, though, having a garment–socks, for example–that can automatically detect when you fall asleep and pause that Netflix stream for you. How great would that be?

If you’re comfortable around a pair of knitting needles as well as an Arduino mini-computer controller, some IR hardware and a soldering gun, you just might be the kind of person who should make these socks for a late holiday gift.

This is exactly the kind of maker, DIY stuff that gives us nerds an exciting thrill, but the technical specs and required knowledge (not to mention ownership of various electronic and knitting-flavored gear) is a bit higher than your run of the mill mid-December project.

You can, of course, use socks you already own, but Netflix has a set of patterns based on its popular shows for you to download and use in knitting a pair of foot warmers. The most popular patterns? Try Bloodline, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, House of Cards, BoJack Horseman, and Daredevil.

Once you’ve knitted socks, you get to assemble the little electronic hack that makes it all work. You’ll need an Arduino microcontroller, IR LEDs, an LED indicator light, a small battery, a momentary button, an accelerometer, and a 12-inch x 12-inch piece of felt to hold all of it together.

Netflix has all the instructions on its Make It site, so head on over and get knitting and soldering.