Period correct pattern wool socks

[Slickrick214]

Does anyone have a source for a vendor who sells correct wool pattern socks? I would prefer hand knit but machine knit is fine too. I'm just looking for period correct pattern with no modern elastic. I've been holding off asking this for a few weeks now because I wanted to try and find a source myself but I've come up with nothing. In another thread posted yesterday about blankets Ross posted a vendor named South Union Mills. This is a direct link to their knit section including wool socks http://www.southunionmills.com/Knit_Goods.html. They don't give much of a description though. They don't say whether their socks are based on period patterns or if their hand knit or machine knit or if they have elastic or not. All that lack of information makes me uncertain.

[Scooby_308]

Might want to try Mrs. Lawson on this one...I hear she knows a thing or two about socks.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Those offered in the above link are indeed authentic, as well as those offered by NJ Sekela, and I'm sure if Mrs. Lawson pops in, she'll be able to tell you some more. She's forgotten more about knit goods than I ever learn...

[Slickrick214]

Thanks. I really like the socks NJ Sekela sells but I wasn't sure if they were cotton or wool. I didn't have a chance to email Nick and ask him. I wasn't sure about the other ones either from Soutern Union mills. Now I have atleast two places to look at for new socks.

[Spinster]

Well first, lets talk about the primary hallmark of a pair of period socks--the heels.

Take off your shoes and look at your modern socks. Unless somebody loves you a whole lot, and knits fitted socks for you, you will see a diagonal line running from the side of your heel towards the bottom, right where your heel turns from flat on the ground to going up your leg.

That diagonal line is the mark of a modern sock. Now, there are a number of vendors who sell a modern machine knit sock with a modern heel. They may be wool, they may be cotton, but the heel is modern. Why--well, the only way to make a period correct heel requires a certain amount of hand knitting. Many folks can not or will not pay what it takes to produce such a sock, whether in this country or out of country.

There is an excellent article in the Columbia Rifles Research Compendium II that illustrates a number of period heel types. The author of that article, Karin Timour, makes and sells period socks, and has done extensive research on originals. Her socks are finely knit, utilizing both hand techniques and an early stocking knitting machine for some of the leg work. Yarns are 100% wool, machine spun in either natural wool colors or dyed with modern dyes. The socks are fitted to your measurements and are available in a number of documented period patterns. The price reflects the excellence of the work, as does the lead time.

I make a somewhat coarser knit sock on period pattern-again, 100% wool. Sometimes yarns are hand spun on a treadle wheel, sometimes they aren't. Depends on how the mood strikes me. I use period dyes to achieve my colors. Quite frankly, I'd rather do sleeping hats and tams, and I'll do that for anyone. I have to like somebody a lot to make socks for them, and even then, I don't make minimum wage at my prices. I'm not taking sock orders right now, because I actually have to think to make socks, and that's a challenge when caring for my father full time. Hats and tams I can knit in my sleep, and will be glad to do those. I also offer period dyed wool yarns by the skein for your knitter to utilize. I have an original period sock knitting machine--I don't love anybody enough to make pair of socks for them on it--and if I did, I'd make them by hand.

Kim Caudell makes an excellent finely knit sock, again with a modern dyed yarn, but period knitting techniques, and to your measurements. I refer customers to her frequently.

Nancy Sorchy makes an excellent finely knit sock, and utilizes my period dyed yarns and period knitting techniques, also made to measure. I refer customers to her as well.

Robin Stokes offers several period pattern sock kits with clear instructions for your knitter. These are available both in my period dyed wool yarns and in modern dyed yarn.

I'm sure there are other knitters out there doing excellent work. Some are using proper period heels and toes, some are not. Some are using a proper gauge, some are not.


Then there are a number of larger questions here:

(1) Many reenactors are simply not willing/able to pay the price it will take to produce a properly made period sock. They also expect them to wear forever at those prices. That's not possible.

(2) While I enjoy knitting, (its organized fidgetting for me, and makes me a nicer person), I'm not willing to work for less than minimum wage to make an item for someone. Some vendors are willing to sell items produced at less than those levels, and some folks are willing to buy them without regard to what the worker is making. Not my business, but it does affect the supply and the marketplace.

(3) A fine pair of fitted period socks is a pleasure. For some folks, the price is a barrier to participation in the hobby. Charles Heath and I had more than one discussion about how important that period heel and toe really was. We also often switched sides of the discussion, depending on the mood of the day.

And that's all I have to say about that.......

[Slickrick214]

Wow..thanks thats more then I could ever want to know (in a good way) about Civil War socks . I think I'll go with the socks from NJ Sekela or South Union mills. I know they aren't perfect and probably use a modern heel stitch but I'm not going to pay 50 or 60 dollars for a pair of custom made hand knit socks.

[Spinster]

Going solely by the picture, and knowing there are details that can't be seen, that's a period double knit heel on Sekela's socks--one of many correct types of period heel.

I can't see enough of the toe treatment to venture an opinion. The stitch count may be coarse for the majority of period socks, but that does not mean that an extant original does not exist.

The price puts them in reach for many.

Rather like the discussion folks had years ago concerning Family Heirloom Weaver's coverlets----at the time, there were folks finding fault. And I stated " I would not thread my loom for what Pat is charging for the finished coverlet" . And that's a decision each reenactor and each event standard must make---where on the economic spectrum does one exchange a spot on reproduction of the common fineness of period work for a price point that is affordable for more people. In the coverlet case, it was an easy decision for me. I've made handwoven overshot coverlets. I was quick to declare myself a member of the FWH Coverlet of the Month Club--and my house reflects it to this day. Some are as fine as a period coverlet, and the price reflected it--others were more coarsely woven--and those are the ones that I will actually take in the field.

Everybody's mileage will most certainly vary.....

[PvtMudflap]

I've heard the name Karin Timour mentioned in conjuction with conversations about socks, also.
D Harrelson

[erich]

Thanks for the names of producers. I am glad to see someone out there is making period style socks to fit. Years ago, I was excited to get a two pair through one of my professors who knew someone reproducing them, only to find out that I couldn't get my big feet into them. I've been out of reenacting for a bit now, but will add a pair or two on my list of must haves.

Erich

[1stSgt45PVI]

I or rather the Mrs. does! She makes prefect "period" 100% wool socks per original pattern and alot cheaper than most sutlers are gonna charge ya for the quality and same item. It is one of the same machines that were used to crank out 1000's of socks for the Christian & Sanitary Commission as well as many other suppliers of footware for soldiers during the war.

If you want further info, shoot me a PM and I'll have her get in contact w/ you. I don't know how the thing works other than it looks like a fancy meat grinder w/ needles, but the finished product is marvelous. I have several pairs, and perfer them to any other sock in my drawer or knapsack.

Cheers,
Zach