In preparation for sock two finally being finished, I thought I’d look into sock blockers. I know blocking is essential really with socks so I had a little search online. I showed them to Mr C and he thought we could whip some up ourselves. We went to B & Q to buy some exterior plywood (I figured that would be best as the socks will be damp when they go on it.)
Once we got home I searched for tutorials online and found some templates, which I printed and used in conjunction with a sock I’d already made. This site was particularly useful, but the template is to print on Legal sized paper and I don’t have that so the sizing was dodgy, which was why I needed my sock to check the size. I drew it out on 12″ x 12″ scrapbooking paper and then drew holes to help dry the socks, using online images to help plan them out. Once I was satisfied (lots of rubbing out was needed before I was happy with the placement of the holes), I cut it all out and drew it on the sheet of plywood.
With help from Mr C, we cut it out using a jigsaw and then we sanded them. Before cutting, I placed making tape over every cutting line so that splinters were minimal. We also put the jigsaw on a fairly slow speed setting for the same reason. There were still a few splintered areas but on the whole it cut pretty well. I also drilled holes at the top for hanging them up when drying.
Looking at them now I’m thinking that I haven’t got enough of an angle on the foot, though this was the angle on both pairs of socks I’ve made. (Maybe that’s why they need blocking!) This set are just version 1, I will evaluate fully and adapt the template in light of any findings from blocking socks on them. Then I’ll tell Mr C we need the tools out again!
And here they are in use:
Now to keep knitting that second sock ready to block to the next pair! (Mr C has idea for how to improve/speed up the cutting process so I think more blockers are definitely in the pipeline, plus we have a rather substantial piece of board left!)
Wow! They look great. Good work! I love a bit of woodwork.
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Thank you, Mr C loves a challenge (so do I!) Always something new to make. 😊
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I never bothing blocking socks! Great work though, and a lovely pair of blockers for you to enjoy 🙂
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Thank you, they’ve done wonders for the socks I made before Christmas. I’m looking forward to blocking these new socks.
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Nice. I made some from a cheap plastic placemat. They work well and we’re low cost and low risk!
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Thank you, I considered plastic too. I may try it for the next ones I make.
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Clever!
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Thank you 😊
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Don’t you just love it when the Mr. half of the marriage turns out to be great handyman? Those sock blockers looks wonderful.
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Thank you, he is pretty handy!
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I’ve never made socks, so I didn’t know that blocking them was important, thanks for that little tidbit of information!
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I didn’t know either until I bought this yarn which is a bit ‘cheap’ (still lovely but I think it needs a helping hand!) But glad to be of service 😀
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I need one of those! I’ll ask my husband, he does love a bit of wool work 🙂 thanks for sharing the site where you found the templates!
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You’re welcome, hope you get some lovely ones made 😊
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I asked Dylan yesterday night and he didn’t seem too keen so I might have to bribe him with baking 😂
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Good plan!
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Jealous much!! You could make yourself a small fortune selling those on eBay 😀
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Haha! Thank you, I might have to try that 😀
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I love your collaborative crafting as a family
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Thank you 😊
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Great work – he will soon be making them for gloves too.
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I’ll keep that a secret from him for now!
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Fantastic!
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Thank you 😊
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These are amazing , both the socks and the blocks ! Can’t imagine my other half embracing such a challenge
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I think you’ve got yourself a little sideline business there! Get him to make a load and get them on Etsy!!!
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I’m working on it 😊
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These are awesome! I love it when you can make something yourself that most people would buy!
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Thank you! 😊
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Ooh isnt it wonderful having a handy hubby!
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Very! I love the wooden niddy noddy yours made you 😊
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We are lucky ladies 🙂
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We are 😊
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Clever Mr C.. 🙂
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He is, but he had a little help 😂 x
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Haha…
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I am definitely getting my dad to make me some of these! It’s great having a wood-worker in the family 😀
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It’s very handy 😊
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Good work
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Thank you 😊
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