# Do hand-knitted socks hold up well?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hand-knitted-socks-hold-up-well/292550>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 2, 2005, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hand-knitted-socks-hold-up-well/292550 "2005-03-02T03:43:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@Bren\_Cameron\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bren_Cameron_1)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2005, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hand-knitted-socks-hold-up-well/292550/21 "2005-03-04T15:14:17Z")

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> [@Miss Purl McKnittington](#):
>
> I’m not sure where online, **Bren**. The pattern I’ve used is from an encyclopedia of handiwork printed in the late '30s. It’s more of recipe than a pattern, really. It explains the technique used, gives a sample pattern, and explains how you can alter the pattern to fit your feet. Unfortunately, my book is at home and I’m school, two hours away. If you like, I can get the pattern to you in a couple weeks when I go home for spring break, once I figure out if it’s still copyrighted or not.
> 
> Otherwise, there are a couple of really good knitting communities on the internet, and I can give those to you and you can ask there.

I went googling and found a boatload of sock patterns. Also lists of books with replaceable heels, though no mention of replaceable toes.

I do have a knitting book from the forties, and somewhere have a couple other old books. I’ll have to give them a search.

If, when you get to your pattern, it’s not a big deal to give it out, that would be great, but don’t go to a lot of trouble over it. It looks like, at the very least, it will be easy to find heels at any rate.

You know, the “cost of handmade socks” question reminds me of when I started singing Sacred Harp. I was telling my mom about it, and she asked “when do you perform?” And I said “we don’t.” Her bewildered answer–“What’s the point?”

Well, the point is singing.

The point of socks is knitting. And every time you wear your socks, you think, “I made these!” It’s very nice. And consider that, as Kimtsu says, the socks aren’t just hand-made, but often custom made–you can basically make any kind or color or pattern of socks that suits your fancy.

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