I’m sure you’re aware that not every project I attempt turns out well, but who would write a blog post about it? Well, as the last huge snow pile melts away at the end of our driveway
I made the decision to share one last winter story. You may ask “why would I want to share the story of a project gone wrong?” Perhaps for the lessons learned, how I turned it around, or simply because it’s nice to know we all have flops 😄. So here goes.
Over the years I have become passionate about bamboo socks, especially those hand-dyed by Wendy Richardson. I would purchase a few pairs every time I visited her booth at a quilt show.
Since I’m allergic to wool, these very warm/soft alternatives have gotten me through many winters. I love them so much that many pairs are wearing out in both the heel and ball of the foot. Because of the pandemic there are no shows to buy more (Wendy doesn’t sell them on her website).
So, during the midst of our very snowy winter I decided to dye socks. I’ve taken some classes and I love the effect of dyeing. My favorite was a class on ice dyeing Laura and I took with Cindy Lohbeck in Paducah a few years ago (click here to read that post).
Those results were great, but I usually don’t fare as well on my own and I’ve been known to say that I’d rather support those who are good at dyeing than to dye it myself. I should have stuck with that statement. But…
I found prepared for dyeing bamboo socks online and decided it was worth a try. I tend to wear blue and black jeans most often, so I decided to use those colors and make it simple. Since I didn’t plan on doing a lot of dyeing, I took the easy way out and bought Rit dye, etc. at my local JoAnns (all of you hand-dyers out there have my permission to stop reading at this point). I mixed it up and put it into squirty type bottles I found around the house.
I then set up the bin according to Cindy’s directions, soaked the socks and manipulated them for fun effects across the mesh. I even diagramed the different manipulations for future reference.
It was then time to brave the cold and I invited Frosty to help. I have found I prefer the results of dyeing with ice, but the snow was so plentiful I couldn’t resist it.
I sprinkled on a good covering of snow, squirted on the dye, and put the bin in the shed to do it’s magic. When I checked an hour later the temperature in the barn wasn’t warm enough to melt the snow or let the dye through. I was still hopeful things would work and brought it in the house for some melting time.
I was extremely disappointed when I scooped off the last of the snow a few hours later only to discover the socks were HIDEOUSLY UGLY! Barely any denim or black had reached the socks, but there were awful purply “veins” here and there over a pale gray dinginess. I couldn’t even force myself to take a photo – because I knew this would never make my blog 🤣.
Instead I went back to the store, got some more dye and overdyed them in denim blue and black. I love them!
Looking back I can see where I erred. The snow layer was too thick. The whole thing needed to be placed somewhere warm right away so the dye could melt through quickly. The snow/dye should have been removed sooner because everything got very diluted. And I’m sure there are many more. I’m really hopeful the quilt shows will return, Wendy will have socks for sale once again, and I can support a very talented artist while getting the beautiful socks I love. Until then – solid is good enough. I’m grateful for a happy ending!
I think it’s always nice to know that other people have flops too. Any of you have a story to share???
And one last thought. The photograph at the top of this post is of the cuffs of all the socks I’ve worn out. They were so pretty I just couldn’t throw them away, so I cut them off and piled them on the counter hoping inspiration would strike. I’m coming up with bupkis so far. Any thoughts???
Marcia Singer says
I too am fond of funky socks. Too bad your experiment didn’t turn out as you wished, but at least you can use the socks, however blah they may be. Just wear long pants and maybe high boots and no one will ever know. tee hee
" class="comment-author-link" rel="external nofollow" itemprop="url">Peg Larson says
A good example that even if you can do it, you might be better off paying someone else to do it. I’m sure they are beautiful. Perhaps you could sew the cuffs into a warm winter scarf? Serge the cut edges and ladderstitch them into a cozy scarf.
SUSAN M PUTMAN says
Knit a little hat for one cuff and embroider a face on it. Then stuff it and two others to make progressively bigger round snowballs — stack three together to make a tie-dye snowman – just to remember your “flop”!
Kristi Mirocha says
Sew the cuff bottom, turn, fill with BBs, tie off tops and, voila, perfect pattern weights! (Or cut in half and sew up smaller weights.) You will enjoy your socks (and think of Wendy) on a regular basis again. Or piece the cuffs together for a warm scarf (with a pocket or two) for next year’s dyeing adventure.
Bettye Nimmer says
Hi Chris,
I love reading your posts and always learn something new or find new inspiration and a creative spirit! Thanks for sharing your learning adventure today.
I, too, have beloved socks (many of them are “Happy Socks” that I purchased at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts) that are wearing out, and I’ve been thinking about sewing the cuffs together to make a colorful “critter” that would serve as a draft stopper for the bottom of doors. It would not only be functional, but would also warm my heart when I see it and think of my “Happy Socks”!
Bettye N. says
One additional way to use those sock tops would be to sew several together, fill loosely with rice and use as a microwaveable neck wrap (or on other aching body parts).
Lisa Giesfeldt says
I also love Wendy’s socks. I have quite a few of them. She is still selling them through Cherrywood Fabrics live Facebook marketplace. Usually posts on a Thursday.
I do have two ideas. There are great books on making really fantastic creatures from socks. And those colors would be super fun. I can see some aliens poking out from a couple of pairs. 😊
Or, is there a way to cut them into salvageable rectangles and perhaps make a cool knit tote? All those great colors would look really cool pieced together.
I’m sure we’ll see whatever wonderful creation you do in a future post. 😄. Thanks
Janet Griinke says
I have done ice dying. I get the best results with Procion dye. I haven’t tried it with Rit dye.
My process was, soak the fabric in alum. Squeeze it hard to get most of that out.
Put the fabric in a container. Put a good layer of snow on it.
Sprinkle the dye powder on top of the snow.
Cover that loosely with plastic. Put that in a warm area.
Now, this is the hard part! Leave it for 24 hours! You need to let the fabric come back up to room temperature. I’ve found that, that is the key. Don’t give up!
Diane Pavletich says
Chris
The sock tops make great cuffs for felted mittens.
Cindy Boyd says
Ideas for sock cuffs include can cozies, cuffs for mittens, critters, runner’s wallets (folded over and stitched so that they can hold ID, maybe a key or cell phone, some change)…
Mary Miller says
If nothing else, you can sew one end of the sock cuff, fill it with mothballs and sew, tie ot use a rubber band, to make a mothball sock for whatever you do with it.
Cathy Borneman says
I’m allergic to wool also (Walters trait) Good ideas, and I have dye! You’re an inspiration as always!
Cathy