I like to learn something new. I can't show you my new knitting skills until after Christmas, but I can show you this one.
Darning socks!
I wouldn't bother with it for everyday socks, but I do love my wool socks and they are expensive. So I found a Youtube video and gave it a go.
Turns out, it's fun!
I seem to wear out the heels first. Didn't have any navy blue sock yarn (combo wool with nylon threads for strength) so I used what I had. Variegated blue.
It's okay. It will be inside my shoe and no one is going to see it anyway.
That's my grandma's darning egg at the top. That and a long needle are all you need to do the job.
To start, stitch in and out, back and forth, to create a warp for weaving, anchoring the wool on the sturdy parts of the sock that surround the hole. Very pleasant job if you put on an audio book to listen to while you work.
Next, stitch over and under each warp thread to create the weft, again anchoring the new wool on strong parts of the sock at each end of the row.
That's it! That's all there is to it, and you have saved yourself $18 for a new pair of wool socks.
Posted with Blogsy
Good job. I have one of the wooden sock mender thingys that was my grandmothers. It's just an egg, not a handle.
ReplyDeleteI can remember my mother doing this., we call it a mushroom, the form was a bit different as yours.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered how you'd darn a sock. Love the darning egg.
ReplyDeleteI have a vintage darning egg that I bought some time ago and have never used it, maybe I should. It certainly looks easier than I thought.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new skill.
ReplyDeleteCynthia you are definitely very practical and saving money person . Personlly I can't do it....
ReplyDeleteThat's a great job! Do you find the darned part bothersome when you wear it (because it is bumpier). I remember my mom always said that my uncle was an excellent sock darner when he was a lad. I guess he had to learn the skill in a residential school. I don't think he kept it up after he was let out. My mother never did darn and I seldom do. I've never heard of a darning egg. I'd like to find one as that would make the job infinitely easier. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteYour post made me smile. I love to darn socks.I learned it as a kid. You did a great dob explaining and you know what? If you had the color that matched your sock, your demo would have been harder for us to see the mended part.
ReplyDeleteWell done! You need to learn to knit some socks...I know several bloggers who do their own socks...I am not sure I could but I bet you can!! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent Cynthia! It's quite therapeutic darning socks eh? I'm surprised more people don't do it.
ReplyDeleteMy mum taught me that but the egg is a handy tool.
ReplyDeleteNeat. I used to darn socks a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteThat's the kind of work I enjoy. Now I want a pair of wool socks to darn! You made it look so easy!
ReplyDeleteThat's my new lesson of the day, thank you! I never knew what darning socks was, and you did a wonderful job explaining and demonstrating it! It would take me years to do this with all my boys' worn socks ;)
ReplyDeleteI just bought my very first pair of expensive wool socks- and I will have to save this post so I can find it when I wear the heel out on them- because I probably won't buy another pair for a long time!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Cynthia, pretty much all crafts you need to learn are on You Tube. Miles more wear in those socks now, as my Dad used to say . . .
ReplyDeleteCynthia, how I would love to have my grandma's darning egg! But darning socks with it is something I'd never do. I always say, I don't darn socks, I damn them (to the trash bin)!
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