Museum Tour: More News From Sock Summit

This post continues my report on Sock Summit.  One of the elements I loved about Sock Summit was the Sock Museum.  Socks and history are an interesting combination.  The Sock Museum was located in the middle of the marketplace and had examples of many different socks from several different countries and time periods. Come along for a photo tour of the Sock Museum.


This piece of art is a sock knit from wire.

While it's not practical to wear, it makes a great conversation piece.


Then there are the larger than life socks.

Since both of these are solo socks, I assume the knitter was struck with a case of second sock syndrome.


More from the sock-as-art category.

Constricted.

Gluttonous.


Before socks were knit, they were made from fabric.

These Medieval Cloth Hose are a replica.  Socks like these were worn by women during the Middle Ages.  They were held in place by a garter that was tied just above or below the knee.  Men wore a similar garment that was mid-thigh.  They were held in place by a string that attached to the underwear.


This is a replica of one of the first toe socks.

The technique used to create this Coptic Toe Sock is nalbinding, not knitting.  This sock construction dates from Egypt in the 4th - 5th centuries AD.  The separate toe was essential because these socks were worn with sandals.


Here is another example of socks worked in nalbinding.

These Uppsala Socks are made using the nalbinding Oslo stitch.  The heels have a circular spiral pattern.


These Tartan Socks are a reproduction of socks worn by the Scottish 92nd Regiment of the Gordon Regiment Highlanders.

They are the work of Anne Berk.  You can read more about them in Piecework Magazine, the January/February 2011 issue.


These socks are a reproduction of 17th Century Socks.

They include calf shaping and a purl pattern at the ankles known as clocks.


These socks were made for little feet.

Ivory Baby Socks with delicate lace and ribbon.


More socks for little feet.

Infant's Knitted Boottees are from a 1916 pattern.  They are designed to go over the knee and are tied in place with ribbon.


These socks were knit from a Woolcraft pattern published in 1940.

Lady's Ankle Socks.  Woolcraft was a booklet published in England during the 1930s and 40s.  It included patterns for practical and warm clothes.  The Beehive yarn used for these socks is from the same time period.


This yarn is also from the same era.

Bear Brand Bucilla Military Yarn was used to knit items for service men.  It cost 44 cents per skein.


These folk socks are irresistible.

The colorful Short Bosnian Socks are knit toe up and feature a triangular heel.


The Hook And Rose Turkish Socks were also knit toe up.

Top.

Bottom.


And another pair of socks using Turkish techniques and patterns.

The festive Willow Tree Anatolian Socks.


These socks were designed for extra warmth.

The Newfoundland Thrummed Socks have bits of wool roving knit into them for extra warmth.  The technique of thrumming originated in the Maritime Provinces and is used to create extra warm socks and mittens.


Traditional argyle meets skull and crossbones in Arrrgyle Socks.

This design is the work of Julia Farwell-Clay from Moth Heaven.


These fun socks were designed by Lucy Neatby and include a play on words.

The Almost Saintly Socks are holey, not holy.


And finally a clever sock construction from Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Moccasin Socks.


This sock is designed to last.

The heel and sole can easily be replaced.


And that concludes our tour of the Sock Summit Sock Museum.