I hate plastic. It changed the world, yes, but not really for the better. And now we have microplastics in absolutely every part of the ecological biome, fish, animal…

We try hard to reduce our plastic use, and what we cannot avoid, we reuse as much as we can, before finally recycling. Single-use is something we work hard to avoid.

I also cannot wear synthetic fabrics. My skin hates them, my body rejects them and I cannot breathe. Wearing polyester, nylon, or even rayon feels like wearing a plastic garbage bag. Can’t do it. I am limited to natural fibres only. Cotton is okay, although low on my list. Organic cotton is better. Hemp, nettle (ramie), linen and wool are generally what I wear. And wool can be complicated, because I am allergic/sensitive to a lot of it, so I have to go to the higher-end, softer wools. Cashmere. Merino. Soay. Alpaca. Bougie by necessity.

Do you know how hard it is to get actual wool socks? Containing more than 60% wool? It is HARD. Add to that, my feet are the size of the average 8 yr old’s. And children’s socks tend to be higher-percentage synthetic, because kids are rough on their socks. So, when I find a pair I like, I keep them as long as possible. They get washed gently. They do NOT get put in the dryer, ever. And when, like today, I find thin areas in them, I do what I can to fix that.

These are my favourite pair of socks. I only have the one pair (for now, although more are on their way), and I’ve had them about a year. They are 85% merino, 5% elastane, and the rest is recycled polyester. They are warm, soft, comfortable, and actually fit my feet (meant for 7-11 yr old children). I absolutely do not want to throw them out, especially as the bottoms are free of holes, and holding up well. There is just the thinness showing on the heels.

I never learned how to darn, and it would be difficult on these, anyway, as most darning wool is NOT merino. But, I do have merino roving and felting needles. I even have some roving in *almost* the right colour. It’s worth a shot, anyway.

We’ll have to see how they hold up in the wash, but the felting SEEMS to have worked fairly well. It isnt bumpy or lumpy. It is soft and feels comfortable. It isnt super PRETTY, maybe, but if it extends the life of my socks, I really don’t care. I prefer to wear these as long as I can before sending them to the bin. Reduce waste. Renew what can be renewed. Reuse what can be reused.