The Socks Drawer Blog

Handmade socks are some what of a rare commodity these days. What was at one time, the only option, is now a treasure and an art form.

Handmade socks have all the functionality of mass produced socks.  They are often quite comfortable,  sometimes even more comfortable than other socks.  Handmade socks come in a wide variety of yarns types (fabrics), styles, colors and functions.

I have seen handmade toe socks, pedicure socks, slipper socks, baby socks, work socks, hiking socks, everyday socks and comfy cozy around the house socks!  Handmade socks can be made to meet your specific feet and your specific needs or requirements.  They can be made uniquely for you!

I love the idea of handmade socks.  I think of someone making a pair of socks for someone and what an act of love that would be!  I think about buying a pair of handmade socks and what a great way that would be to support a small business or artist. I love handmade socks, for their practicality as well as the way they allow me another opportunity to add art and fashion into my wardrobe!

If you are interested in purchasing handmade socks, I would check with your local fabric or yarn store.  I would also ask around at the farmers market.  You could check craiglist and I know that etsy.com has several people who sell handmade socks locally!  What a great way to not only find unique socks, but to also support arts and crafts and the people who are gifted in those things!

I grew up in Canada where you don’t wear your shoes in your house. It is actually considered rude. So people wear slippers. Some people bring their own and some people provide slippers for their guests. So slippers are a staple.

Slipper socks are awesome. Warm, cozy, comfortable with the utility of a slipper/shoe. There are a variety of types of slipper socks. One of my favorite pairs of slipper socks were a multi colored pair of socks in a mary jane style with a button strap and grips on the bottom.

I have also had the super fuzzy warm slipper socks, that are exactly like a sock, just warmer with the grips on the bottom. Something like this.

There are also beautiful handmade, and hand made looking slippers, in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Some of the most durable are the slipper socks that have seen are a sturdy sock with the entire bottom constructed of leather. Comfortable and sturdy. Here is an example of some cotton and leather slippers.

Another big trend right now are slipper sock boots. Very hip right now as well as functional. As with all socks, slipper socks come in every shade of color, fabric, design and style! So you can find your own unique pair of slipper socks. Get ready for that cooler weather with a great pair slipper socks!

Toe socks are even more diverse than we thought! We thought they were for the fun and funky who like to dress up their feet and their wardrobe or for those yoga and Eastern exercise types. But now we learn that they have become all the rage among even the most All-American–baseball players. Yes, professional pitchers,  Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima of the Boston Red Sox are are changing what ball players puts their feet into before their cleats. Left fielder,  Hideki Matsui of the Yankees has also been wearing toe socks and converting fellow ball players. They are convinced that five-toed toe socks help them improve their pitching performance by allowing all their toes to grip and improve their agility. And so, how many other sports and activities might they be useful for? Hiking, football, walking, tennis, running, just to name a few.

Injinji makes some athletic toe socks with CoolMax fabric for optimal wicking and drying properties, and this fabric is made from recycled plastics making them a eco-friendly purchase as well. Injinji also makes outdoor toe socks made with Nuwool, a blend of natural-wicking merino wool, nylon, and spandex.

Feelmax is another brand that makes several toe socks for sports and outdoor activities.

ToeSox makes athletic toe socks from 90% organic materials. Socks are made with a fitted heel and arch support.

Okay, I have to admit right up front that my favorite socks in my drawer are the comfortable, everyday wool socks made by Smartwool. Perhaps it’s the winter season we’re in, but really no sock drawer is complete without them even in warmer climates. Wool is an all-natural material that wicks away moisture keeping your feet dry and comfortable even in warmer temperatures. These socks also fit superbly, with no bunching or uncomfortable seams. They don’t stretch out or wear out like other socks, and have stood up to years of regular wear. Though their price might be higher than other brands, their durability and quality is worth every penny. Your hardworking feet deserve them!

If you’re like me, and you live in a non-tropical climate zone, one of the first decisions you make in a day is which socks to wear. Will I wear my athletic socks to go exercise in, or will I wear my patterned socks to coordinate with my outfit, or will I wear my comfortable everyday wool socks? For any number of daily activities we take part in, we frequently make decisions about socks, sometimes multiple times a day. Have you ever taken the time to look through your socks and categorize them? Here are mine:

comfortable everyday Smartwool socks

cotton/spandex exercise socks

colored/patterned cotton socks for coordinating

fleece socks for cold nights

knee high socks for boots

wool crew socks for hiking

cotton/nylon socks for dress pants

nylon stockings for the rare dressy occasion

Many people have twice as many categories.  Now, there’s a category we all have in our socks drawer that we must admit to. We all have the socks rejects at the bottom: the ones we’ve never worn because they’re the wrong color or don’t fit, the ones that have worn out or stretched out, and the better-save-them-just-in-case socks. Makes one wonder, how much money have you wasted on those socks of poor quality or poor fit?

So, I’m on a quest to find the best socks on the market, socks that will fit comfortably, perform well, last a long time and suit a variety of wardrobe styles. I believe that when you have comfortable feet, you’re ready to move, you’re less irritated, and generally happier. So, I believe that it’s a worthy quest, and look forward to sharing my discoveries with you. Stay tuned!