Joy of Socks, AODA

[helwen]

Little article on socks, including a video on how to darn socks:

http://transitionculture.org/2008/04/23/the-joy-of-socks/

Also talks about a web site the author found for these knitters who will knit socks for you. I like the idea, but if I ever have someone knit socks for me, it will not be someone in Germany. There are plenty of people right here who I could commission to make socks if I want to do that. Of course the 'plan' is that I will be learning to make my own socks -- I even have books! And more importantly, I know people who can help me when I get stuck.
(Edited to make more sense]

***
In more important news, at least if one is in the AODA, gwynt_y_storm will be invested as our organization's Archdruid of the East, in June! I'm sure she will do honor to the position.

Comments

German socks

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

Why Germany?

Re: German socks

[helwen.livejournal.com]

*sigh* That was supposed to read "it will NOT be someone from Germany". I have to edit that...

The link in the article on someone knitting socks for you is for some ladies from Germany. But there are plenty of people around here who knit socks, so I hardly need to order all the way from there, eh?

Re: German socks

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

Ah ha!

Well, I learned how to knit in Germany. So if you're partial to socks knitting in a German fashion, feel free to contact me. However, they'll probably be somewhat thick as knitting with 0's or 00's doesn't seem to be my strong point anymore (read: I hardly ever finish them!)

:)

Re: German socks

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Cool! And thick works for me... I don't plan to ever get down to 0's or 00's. I wear my reading glasses often enough as it is...

[oakmouse]

Darning is a great skill. I learned how as a kid, and although I lost most of my chops through lack of use, I can still manage. A friend found me a genuine Aran wool cardigan at Goodwill for $5 (!), I got darning wool to match it and darned a small hole in the shawl collar (which was under the turn and thus already invisible), and I have a fantastic sweater for a total investment of $8 and about 20 minutes. I'm going to work on darning JM's socks too, and see if I can regain lost skills.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

It was interesting watching the video. L and I were thinking maybe they chose a sock with a really big hole so that it would show up better on a computer screen. I've only darned smaller holes than that. Although maybe if I used yarn and did more criss-crosses so that it could really be woven across the hole...

Being self-taught, I usually do small repairs with thread, because when I first started I didn't have any sock-type yarns that would have been the right weight. It was nice to see that what I taught myself to do was pretty much what they were doing in the video :D

Isn't it great being able to fix things up? I have a cashmere turtleneck top from Filene's basement (bit more than your incredible cardigan, around $15-20), because the neck was partially separated from the body.

And a few years ago I was at one of those consignment stores around here and bought some silk blouses for $2-5 each, which I'm re-tailoring to suit me. Mostly just taking the fold-down part of the collars off -- I like 'Mandarin' collars.

Have fun with darning JM's socks! It's really satisfying being able to extend the life of useful or favorite things, isn't it?

[oakmouse]

It is! I loved fixing my sweater, and was actually happy the other day to find another spot on it that needs a bit of darning. I feel proud of being able to fix it, and I want a bit more practice.

I also darned a hole in JM's garden pants. I used a cotton/poly blend heavyweight thread and my darning egg. It came out a bit thick and lumpy because I had trouble controlling the thread tension, but he was quite satisfied with it and so far it's wearing like iron --- which was the point. Mom used to do that with small holes in my dad and brother's pants, and it often works better than trying to patch an area under 1/4 inch in diameter.