Darning Socks

Nah... I wear wool/synthetic socks like Ultramax when out hiking that don't wear out like all-wool ones do. I save my all-wool socks for cozy nights by the fireplace... darning isn't difficult but the darned things don't last very long.
 
psy-ops said:
I love wool socks but they don't last very long. I have been thinking in a long term "low income" ;) survival situation, it might be prudent to repair your own socks.

Does anyone do this?

http://www.wikihow.com/Darn-a-Sock
Click to expand...

Man, does that bring back memories. My father was a lineman and wore a couple pairs of heavy wool socks with his knee-high climbing boots. My mother had inherited a whole set of "darning eggs" which are varying sizes of egg shaped wood gizmos with a handle on them-- turned oak, IIRC. You could probably get by with one of those large plastic Easter eggs or a light bulb (if you don't break it). Anyway, she would sit and watch TV on Winter nights and darn his socks.

Seems they would create hot spots in hiking socks-- they wear out at the same place. Great idea for work socks if you aren't moving long distances. I usually wear synthetic and toss 'em. It's always the heels that go. It's just another measure of our throw-away culture [sigh].
 
My grandma always used to darn the socks using one of those wooden mushroom things that go inside the sock.
Maybe you could try some of the 1000 mile socks if this is always a problem, they are guaranteed !!!
 
my wife knits so she also darns

a couple things to lengthen the life of your wool socks - one, obviously, is to have several pairs and rotate them often. much of what destroys and weakens shoes and socks is simply bacteria which have a greater chance of thriving if the material is continually warmed and wetted by perspiring feet rather than allowed to cool and dry out for a few days. secondly, products like eucalan wool wash and lansinoh lanolin can really revive the natural oils of wool that make it a durable form of natural clothing for animals as well as clean your wool of harmful bacteria

instructions:

Melt 1/4 inch of Lansinoh Lanolin in hot water. Add 1/2 capful of Eucalan Woolwash to the hot water. Mix to break up and mix in the Lanolin. Fill sink. The water should be room temperature. Not ice cold, and not too hot. Place wool in sink and gently push under the water. Let it soak for about 15 minutes.

After soaking, gently squeeze excess water out, then roll it between two towels to get even more moisture out. Let it dry for about 24 hours.

here's a 2-minute video demonstrating washing wool with eucalan and lanolin:

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/images/wool.wmv


wool rocks - i've been wearing it a lot this winter and if weight isn't a concern, i don't think there's much that beats it. but it's a natural material and requires care - it's not a tough polymer like polyester fleece that'll be around 100 years from now.
 
akennedy, sounds interesting, I will have to check that out.

I will probably get silk liners to protect wool socks. The toes on my always bust through.
 
I do this. I have started to buy high quality wool socks, of a norwegian brand; Ulvang, wich last a long time, but earlyer I darned wool sock heels often.
It takes some practice to not make a Hot Spot on your heel when you do this.
I have also some heavily darned wool underwear, fortunately most people cannot see this.
And mittens. Fortunately my mother have knitted some pairs of wool mittens and "fingerlesses". She made shure I got some yarn in the same colour, too. She have seen many of my of-colour darning projects.

I simply hate to throw away clothes because they have a minor damage.
When appropiate I sew on patches on clothes, too.
It may be strange, but I sometimes repair my wifes clothing. She did not learn this from her mother.
timann
 
timann said:
I do this. I have started to buy high quality wool socks, of a norwegian brand; Ulvang, wich last a long time, but earlyer I darned wool sock heels often.
It takes some practice to not make a Hot Spot on your heel when you do this.
I have also some heavily darned wool underwear, fortunately most people cannot see this.
And mittens. Fortunately my mother have knitted some pairs of wool mittens and "fingerlesses". She made shure I got some yarn in the same colour, too. She have seen many of my of-colour darning projects.

I simply hate to throw away clothes because they have a minor damage.
When appropiate I sew on patches on clothes, too.
It may be strange, but I sometimes repair my wifes clothing. She did not learn this from her mother.
timann
Click to expand...

Doesn't sound strange to me. Wilderness survival is all about self reliance. Some guys have the "..it's beneath me..." attitude when it comes to skills that are traditionally considered to be female, but that's their handicap.

Good on you, timann!

Doc
 
Yes, I darn my own socks (and other rudimentary clothing fixes, like reinforcing blown crotch seams), particularly wool and polypropylene running/hiking socks. I usually have to darn the toe area. My big toes arch upward, causing the nails to saw through socks pretty fast. So, a few minutes with needle and thread--and a handy light bulb or orange--and I've got socks that now will last 10 times longer than they otherwise would.

I've not ever done it in a 'survival' or camping situation, however, so I'm not sure what would be a field-equipment item to form the sock with while sewing. A clean stone, I guess.
 
I am just now learning to knit as a survival skill, and to felt as well. Not only can clothes be made or repaired, but nets and traps can be knit, sometimes faster or more efficient than weaving.
Another side benifit of knitting for survival, is it can pass time efficiently, especially if you get holed up in a tent or enclosure for a day or so. i gives something for your hands and mind to do.
As far as gender specific, most countries outside America traditionally have men as knitters and weavers. Even in America, there were few female basket weavers, they just didn't have the upper body strength to weave all day long.
 
Hey Bumppo, I haven't learned how to knit yet, but I did learn how to crochet (basic). I did this originally to learn how to insert a pattern into a sling pouch (netted), but found out just how versatile a skill it is - for making bags, pouches, straps, toques, scarves, etc. and it is also how I make the jute pouches for my micro PSK (like the one I sent jwilliams). It's excellent for this application because it lets you unravel the jute, quickly and easily, for cordage and tinder in a survival situation.

I also learned how to make nets. Since you seem to have an aptitude for working with fibres, let me recommend learning how to make nets, the traditional way. It's really quite easy, and it's a very useful skill. A book I strongly recommend is Net Making by Charles Holdgate (seen here)

It's usually available from the used book stores for about $10. It was originally written to teach public school teachers how to teach their students how to make nets. It starts out with very easy/simple projects and continues on with increasingly more complex ones, introducing one or two new concepts with each project. May also be available at your local library.

Doc
 
I darn my socks everytime my waders get water in them. "Those darn socks are wet":) As for the other kind of darning, I don't have any experience in it but I do remember my dad's stories from the 30's and 40's when it was a common household activity. I hate to admit it, but I either just throw away my old ones or use them for cleaning my guns. Folks were a lot more frugal in the "olden days".
 
Thanks for the net tip Doc.

I recently learned to knit. A hand knit watch cap is a real pleasure--the fit is better. I haven't mastered socks yet, that's next. But darning is relatively simple: pick-up stitches and knit in fresh yarn.

I made my last hat from wool I spun myself. Fun project and gives a nice sense of self-reliance.

445246294_ERyTg-L.jpg


OK, she ain't much to write home about, but she's warm and the lanolin left in the wool (not processed = more lanolin) makes it a bit more water resistant.

Knitting was likely invented by fishermen working on nets...or so the story goes.
 
Rotte said:
Thanks for the net tip Doc.

I recently learned to knit. A hand knit watch cap is a real pleasure--the fit is better. I haven't mastered socks yet, that's next. But darning is relatively simple: pick-up stitches and knit in fresh yarn.

I made my last hat from wool I spun myself. Fun project and gives a nice sense of self-reliance.

OK, she ain't much to write home about, but she's warm and the lanolin left in the wool (not processed = more lanolin) makes it a bit more water resistant.

Knitting was likely invented by fishermen working on nets...or so the story goes.
Click to expand...

That is just excellent, Rotte. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Doc
 
For some reason my socks never seem to wear out. I can go through several pairs of boots and the socks are still in good shape. My wife goes through the toes of her socks in no time at all. I never do, even though my toe nails are always much longer that hers.:confused: I have darned lots of her socks for her.
 
Thanks for the tip, Doc!, I am always looking for books on the old ways.

Rotte, nice hat!
 
My first darned sock.

DSCF0090.jpg


The very necessary egg shaped rocks which are very important part of the process.

DSCF0074-1.jpg


Sewing kit.

DSCF0094.jpg


Sorry for the picture quality. With the money I am saving in socks my wife and I are saving for a new camera. :O Just kidding of course, one is coming soon though.
 
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