Pages

Friday, March 1, 2013

Darn it.

As I sat in the early morning hours, darning my sock(s), I was wondering how many people actually bother to darn holes any more.  Do they just throw things out and buy new?  Since I have the terrible (or not so) habit of picturing the journey to the landfill of almost everything I throw out, I darn.  It also helps that I am a sock-knitter.  After you've gone through the process a few times, you'll be darned (haha) if you'll toss a handknit sock in the trash.

The large egg is a find from a local estate sale business.

About five years ago, I found this wonderful darning box, complete with darning threads and a darning egg, on eBay.  I think I paid more to ship it than I did to buy it.  I imagine it was part of someone's estate - just more 'junk' that had to be cleaned out and gotten rid of by disinterested relatives.  I am thankful that they decided to try and make some money from of it, rather than chucking it in the dreaded dumpster. 

I don't know that I would win any blue ribbons for my darning, but it does the job and I can get a lot of mileage out of socks, mittens and gloves!

9 comments:

Carolyn said...

I am SOOOOO sick of buying new socks like every five days. I get holes in the heel and ball and can only manage to look the other way for so long before even Rhiannon asks why "Mommy's got broken socks". I've even been buying good socks, but alas, the meaning "good" means so much less than it used to. This is the main reason I really, really want to learn to knit socks. Yes, I don't even know how to knit yet, but that's on the list for this year. I wish they had a crochet pattern for socks. You wann'a come down and teach me to knit socks? Even if I paid the airfare, it would probably be cheaper than continuing to purchase all these socks for myself!!

Jenyfer Matthews said...

I have darned socks, but most socks these days aren't worth the effort so when they get holes I use them in my furniture stripping / refinishing projects so at least they don't go to the landfill *immediately*.

Love that darning kit you have - fantastic buy :)

Mama Pea said...

Whadda treasure that little darning kit is! So much "old" stuff had character that you just don't see these days.

For years I darned our store bought socks, but then decided there was (must be!) better places to use my time. But I still darn, repair and mend hand knit socks, mittens, gloves, hats, underwear . . . ;o]

Carolyn, I have seen patterns for crocheted socks. You may be in luck!

Susan said...

Carolyn - I can highly recommend Smart Wool Socks - until you learn how to knit your own, that is. I tell ya what. I'll come down and teach you how to knit, and you can teach me how to crochet! Deal?

Susan said...

Jenyfer - Isn't it wonderful? I scored a couple of great buys on eBay, including a box with tons of spools of thread for about $3. And that's a great way to use old socks - I have a table that needs refinishing, so I will hang onto the socks that are beyond darning.

Susan said...

Mama Pea - I am a sucker for any of those old-fashioned sewing, darning or knitting baskets. I get absolutely giddy if they include scissors and little packets of needles, too! It's so sad... :) I must darn my work gloves at least three times a winter. When I start darning the darns, it's time for them to go - although I might just use them ala Jenyfer's suggestion!

Erin said...

A darning egg? I admit I know nothing about darning. Here I thought you danced and shook maracas while doing it LOL

Candy C. said...

I darn my socks too...I look at them and say "Darn socks!" before I toss them in the trash! ;)
Handknit socks do last longer and I have found that if I buy socks in the "boys" section they are sturdier than the socks made for us wimmens.

LindaCO said...

You know, if they hollowed out those eggs and put some ball bearings or something in there, one could amuse oneself for hours. Even though shaking it and holding a sharp needle probably would take some practice.