wool/wool blend socks...source?

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I thought that I bought enough wool socks at the big flea market this summer. Now I find myself deliberately looking through the dirty clothes pile daily and tossing socks in with each load. For myself..does anyone have a reliable source for well-made wool or wool/blends? I have never learned to knit or would certainly add this to the lon list of "things to do." Thanks in advance. P.S., we are on upstate NY and these are required gear. :-)

-- Cheri Asprion (t.asprion@worldnet.att.net), November 24, 2001

Answers

REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) or any other store that caters to backpackers would have them, and I have occasionally seen them in places like Costco. I prefer cotton myself, they seem to last longer.

I knit too, but Christmas socks or bed socks would be the only ones I'd ever knit--just the thought of putting that much work into an article of clothing that wouldn't last that long is not my idea of a good investment of my time, not with how much wool costs these days, lol.

The Sock Company, www.discountdancewear.com may also have what you're looking for. I have not ordered from them but they seem to have a lot of stuff.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 24, 2001.


Wal-Mart in the camping section

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), November 24, 2001.

I got good socks from...sierratradingpost.com.I can only wear wool too.

-- liz loyick (liz18436@yahoo.com), November 24, 2001.

good wool blands,, as long as you dont mind the color,, army surplus

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 24, 2001.

You guys are so good...thanks for the quick answers. Have a nice rest of the day :-)

-- Cheri Asprion (t.asprion@worldnet.att.net), November 24, 2001.


Second on www.sierratradingpost.com. Wool socks are a bargain there. Kate

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), November 24, 2001.

Knitting socks is not difficult. Perhaps you can make that a new years' resolution? I'd be glad to field questions, get Mary Thomas's Knitting book(by Dover books, inexpensive) and you can make all the socks you need, they make great Holiday gifts too! There is nothing like a well fitting pair of socks, that's what my family will be getting this year.

-- Sandie in Maine (peqbear@maine.rr.com), November 24, 2001.

LLBean cotton/wool/lycra blend rag socks. seem expensive at $7.50 a pair, but I've had my last set for 5 years now and I wear them year round. I still have a few pair that are 10 yrs old. Eddie Bauer has them to, but the Beans are better.

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), November 24, 2001.

I love the merino wool socks from Birkenstock. They are not a bargain...but I have 2 pairs that have lasted years. I knit socks all the time, and agree that you ought to give it a try sometime. It really is fun.I use a pattern that is very simple for beginners called Family Socks from the "homespun handknit" book. I usually use them for special gifts, or for my own family. I have sold some, but feel guilty charging what I need to charge for all the time. I have always been crazy about socks though. Knitting them does not stop me from buying nice ones. Good luck!!!

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), November 25, 2001.

I would think you could find them at any camping/hiking/outdoor supply store.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 25, 2001.


www.vermontcountrystore.com

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), November 25, 2001.

There are also lots of sock patterns on About.com under knitting. I'm hard on my socks, so that is why I don't knit them. Another thing is if you can learn to knit tubes with two circulars instead of double points, it will definitely go a lot faster, good news for us slow knitters!. There is a book out called I think "Socks Soar on two Circular Needles" that is being sold through yarn shops and by the author (when I find it, I will post the info here, a bit on the pricey side), though not yet on Amazon that are all done with the two circular needle method. The technique originated with someone named Joyce Williams. Also www.sockknitters.com has lots of patterns too.

The other major obstacle is trying to find a reasonably priced source of sock wool. Most of the discount places are 90% acrylic, and the wool blends they do have are only 20-25% wool. So any bulk sources would be appreciated, lol.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 25, 2001.


The author of Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles is Cat Bordi, and here is an article about the book:

http://www.frogstitch.com/article1005.html

for those interested. You can get info on how to do the two circular method from this site (using two different color needles help):

http://flor.freeservers.com/tips8.htm

You might as well learn the fast way if you're going to do it! Double points are a real pain (not just sticking yourself with them, but losing them as well), lol.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 25, 2001.


Sierratradingpost.com has a paper catalog as well. Be sure to check out the Bargain Barn on-line. I have made multiple orders and been very pleased. The merino wool socks we ordered were under $8 a pair.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), November 25, 2001.

Of course if you need cheap sock wool, learn to spin! You really save a lot of money doing so. And, yes, you can learn! Both my dds spin and they learned at 8 and 10 years old. Wouldn't take too long to spin enough for socks on a drop spindle. Or, barter with a willing spinner that will spin the wool you buy and clean. If you want luxury, buy Merino or Rambouillet wool, $6- $10 a pound will get an awful lot of socks! Then of course you can get into natural dyes, etc.etc. FUN! I spin a lot as well.

-- Sandie in Maine (peqbear@maine.rr.com), November 27, 2001.


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