Thursday, October 26, 2006

Single Sock Syndrome

The single sock syndrome is an odd one. It still amazes me how singles multiply. I keep all of ours in a basket in the bedroom and about every six months do a "go-through" to match them up and then toss out the singles. Just recently though, I have been using them to stuff little handmade toys - I cut them up in small pieces and they make the nicest, softest stuffing - better than polyfill because they make a more solid animal.


Here's Julia with some teddy bears from "Colorful Stitchery" and they're stuffed with orphan socks. They would be great holiday gifts and take no time at all. They're all made of felted recycled blankets and sweaters I bought at the thrift store. I dyed them with acid dyes to get the bright colors. These dyes are easy to use and yield bright colors. I give instructions for the entire project (bears and dyeing) in my book. You could also use your old handknit sweaters after you felt them.

My clever friend Kay, co-owner of 7 South Bakery made a scarecrow she calls "Sole-Mate." She shamelessly begged customers for single socks and to noone's surpise, she was inundated. I donated several for her scarecrow cause.

I think this is the best idea of a use for a single sock, don't you agree?.




6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hehe, and all of my single socks just seem to happen because I can't get around to knitting the second one!

The stuffing thing is a great idea, btw!

bob4skin@gmail.com said...

You know....I buy a batch of sox, like a dozen pairs the same color, so any "lone sock" becomes a spare one for the future. It's not very stylish but I never have to throw away a perfectly good sock!
Frugal Bob Y

barbara said...

I certainly like the solutions for using those single socks. Like you, I have a basket and go through it periodically to hopefully find some that match up. I believe there is a Sock Monster living in my dryer who eats all the missing ones. It's the only explanation!

ChickenBetty said...

What great addition to Socktoberfest!

kate said...

Great idea for using single socks for stuffing- I will definitely do that- thanks, again! :)

Anonymous said...

Smiles all around on this post. Shucks. I just gleaned and tossed all the single socks in the sock basket. Oh well. We all know there will soon be more.

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