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teachingmom
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| Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 3:36pm | IP Logged
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Ever since we got back from the March for Life the other day, I've been pondering the purchase of new warm socks for my clan. My feet were the warmest ever at the March this year. Mostly due to the purchase of new Lands End Squall boots last year and finding my old wool ski socks. My children didn't fare quite so well.
So, can anyone -especially you ladies from up North! - recommend some reasonably priced, REALLY WARM socks for the whole family? Wool? What about UnderArmour? Any advice on the best way to layer?
I went to the Sierra Trading Post site, but got overwhelmed. I need some direction!
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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SusanJ
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Not time to link but Smart Wool are great and not at all scratch. I'm sure they are at Sierra.
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Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
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Jenny
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| Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 4:23pm | IP Logged
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I do not know where my alpaca socks were purchased, they were a gift, but they are the warmest, toastiest, most pampering thing I own.
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Jenny
Chris' wife and momma of 7. My blog: The Littlest Way--Bible Journaling, Inspiring Bible Quotes, Daily Affirmations, Prayer Journaling & photography
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Mary G
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You could always make 'em! 
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MaryG
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 8:03pm | IP Logged
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smartwool.. just do a search at Sierratrading post
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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8kids4me
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| Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 8:11pm | IP Logged
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Mary G wrote:
| You could always make 'em! |
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Ditto!! 
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Cindy B, mama to 8 great kids, and 5 grandbabies!
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Mary G
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| Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 8:35pm | IP Logged
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8kids4me wrote:
Mary G wrote:
| You could always make 'em! |
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Ditto!! |
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Honestly, with a thick wool or even a wool/acrylic like Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Chunky, you can whip up a pair fairly quickly and they are definitely warm and cozy ... on #11 needles they go together REALLY FAST!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
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BrendaPeter
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Mary G wrote:
Honestly, with a thick wool or even a wool/acrylic like Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Chunky, you can whip up a pair fairly quickly and they are definitely warm and cozy ... on #11 needles they go together REALLY FAST! |
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Wow, Mary! I'd love a pattern if you can link to one! I got a sock pattern book from my in-laws for Christmas & have been wanting to make some.
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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Kristie 4
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Ditto for me Mary. I would love a quick knit up pattern for socks (I am just sewing up my first Irish Knit sweater that I posted about a while back.... so am ready for a new project for my bag (although, inevitabely there are a few there already!)
I have just the good old thermal socks from Mountain Equipment Coop (but I am sure you could get them anywhere) for my kids. They are synthetic. But at -30 they are not usually out long enough for their toes to get too cold
I had just asked this same question about socks to some of my friends as my sister in law drives a bus and was complaining of cold feet. He recommended the Smart Wool of the INGENIOUS socks ( he prefers the second and has a pair he has worn for years). Neither are cheap, but both are quite durable.
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teachingmom
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| Posted: Jan 24 2008 at 10:35pm | IP Logged
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Mary G wrote:
8kids4me wrote:
Mary G wrote:
| You could always make 'em! |
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Ditto!! |
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Honestly, with a thick wool or even a wool/acrylic like Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Chunky, you can whip up a pair fairly quickly and they are definitely warm and cozy ... on #11 needles they go together REALLY FAST! |
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You know, that thought went through my head when I saw the prices of some of the wool socks online! I learned some very basic knitting as a child, but have never really made anything. Can I teach myself enough to make some socks??? I saw Mary Chris knitting something for a special someone with a January birthday recently, so I know I have someone to turn to for a basic knitting refresher course. As you say, they would be rather quick to make, but can I really figure out how to knit in a tube shape and end up with the shape of a sock?
Mary, if you want to post a sock tutorial at the homemaking forum, I'd be willing to give it a try! 
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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JodieLyn
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the smartwool do hold up very well.. the fact that I've had to hunt down my kids and "steal" the socks off their feet because they'd worn the same pair so long should tell you how comfy they are.. never had to do that with cheap socks
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Servant2theKing
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If wool socks or alternatives aren't available, or if you find they're not affordable for the entire family, you could try a trick we did when I was young....it works like a charm! Put plastic bags over socks, inside your boots...the bags insulate and really keep your feet toasty and dry! We used bread bags when I was a girl (this was long before the plastic bag explosion we have now). We simply recycle those flimsy grocery bags that aren't worth much, except to multiply themselves as soon as they reach your home :) Recently, we went walking on one of those subzero days...my feet and legs were the only part of me that didn't feel the sting of the bitter cold, in spite of the fact that I was heavily bundled and even wearing double gloves. I think the plastic acts as an insulator...try it, you'll be quite surprised! If fashion conscious children balk, simply teach them to tuck the bags inside their snowpants, keeping ankles dry and unexposed, or tuck the bags back down inside their boots, or even layer a second pair of socks over the bags :) If this 50+ mama can wear them with skirts and all, then it's not all that bad!
For ladies who wear skirts and find the airflow chilly "down under", try looking for warmer knit or wool skirts to wear as slips. I've found several (at Goodwill) that are too clingy or thin to wear normally, but they provide great insulation as slips. I also have some thin leggings that I layer over tights, and then add a pair of warm socks. If all the layers are thin you don't end up looking like the Michelin tire man, but it is definitely more cozy when venturing outdoors in skirts!
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Mary G
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teachingmom wrote:
| Mary, if you want to post a sock tutorial at the homemaking forum, I'd be willing to give it a try! |
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Ladies, give me a few hours and I'll post a pretty straight forward, thick sock pattern in "Our Lady's Loom" ...
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MaryG
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hylabrook1
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The Smart Wools can be expensive, though. We got some just like them (super warm, longwearing, soft/not scratchy) at Costco. They were bundled 3 pairs for the usual price of one pair of SW. The brand was "Head". I've also seen some that look to be SW-type (but not brand) at WalMart with the work clothes and/or hunting clothes.
Peace,
Nancy
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Mary Chris
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Mary,
I am looking forward to your tutorial! Socks intimidate me. There are so many cool sock yarns out in stores that look so fun to knit. Thanks for doing this!
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mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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Mary G
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Mary G wrote:
teachingmom wrote:
| Mary, if you want to post a sock tutorial at the homemaking forum, I'd be willing to give it a try! |
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Ladies, give me a few hours and I'll post a pretty straight forward, thick sock pattern in "Our Lady's Loom" ... |
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OK ladies, it's been a few hours and I'm nowhere close to posting a tutorial ... but I will post a quick sock pattern (for men and women) and then a tutorial will be done this weekend and posted (God willing) on Monday ... will that work for y'all?
The great benefit to doing socks on 11s is that the knitting is fast and you do all the concepts of creating a sock with out having to mess with 60+ stitches ...
Off to Our Lady's Loom to post a sock pattern!
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MaryG
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mavmama
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Irene, You CAN fo it! Socks were the second thing I ever knit. Dh's grandmother asked me "Oh! Didn't the heel turning give you fits? That's where most people have trouble." Thank heavens for ignorance--I just followed along in the directions and watched the heel turn. I didn't know it was supposed to be "hard."
Oh no. Now I've tainted your thinking about heel turning
Really, I say go for it!
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stefoodie
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Looking forward to your tutorial, Mary! The only socks I've made were called "Joan's Socks" (if you google I'm sure it will turn out) and my mom is still using those, 9 years later... It would be nice to try out something on #11's. Thanks!
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stef
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Mary G
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| Posted: Jan 26 2008 at 9:45am | IP Logged
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Mary G wrote:
Mary G wrote:
teachingmom wrote:
| Mary, if you want to post a sock tutorial at the homemaking forum, I'd be willing to give it a try! |
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Ladies, give me a few hours and I'll post a pretty straight forward, thick sock pattern in "Our Lady's Loom" ... |
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OK ladies, it's been a few hours and I'm nowhere close to posting a tutorial ... but I will post a quick sock pattern (for men and women) and then a tutorial will be done this weekend and posted (God willing) on Monday ... will that work for y'all?
The great benefit to doing socks on 11s is that the knitting is fast and you do all the concepts of creating a sock with out having to mess with 60+ stitches ...
Off to Our Lady's Loom to post a sock pattern! |
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Well, it's the next day and I STILL  haven't posted my sock pattern. Life sometimes just gets in the way!
For those who are interested, it's done with Lion Brand's Wool-ease Chunky which is an acrylic/wool blend that really makes cozy socks! You'll need a set of #8 DPNS (not 11's as I first mentioned, sorry) and 2 skeins of the yarn will make either a pair for men or a pair for women.
I'm out the door (again!) but will post this evening (before the boards close  ).
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
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Mary G
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Well, after a few show-stoppers at home, I finally got the warm sock tutorial and the actual quick and thick sox pattern posted on my knitting blog last night.
Give it a shot -- I think you'll be surprised how easy it is to knit socks!
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MaryG
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Topic: Warm Socks?
