I was just wondering how you wash your socks?

I haven't washed mine yet (its ok, they don't smell bad!) Do you hand wash them, and if so, what do you use? I know the Jitterbug yarn says handwash and I'm sure some of the others say the same.

It depends on the socks and the yarn. The basic stocking stitch ones knit from Regia 6-ply or similar get chucked in the washing machine at 40. Anything that said 'hand wash' on the ball band gets hand-washed, usually in cool water with a little bit of whatever washing powder I happen to be using, then a splash of fabric conditioner.

The fancy lacy socks get hand-washed too, even if the yarn would theoretically be alright in the machine, as I'm a bit wary that the stitches might get pulled and damaged.

PS. I'm editing to the thread title just to make it clear to the rest of the forum that we're talking about our hand-knitted socks, and not M&S's finest :) .

I don't ever handwash anything smaller than a jumper. Life's too short.

I'm with Knitbird, I don't handwash anything. The socks go in the washer on the wool cycle. I dry them over the banister rails at the top of the stairs with the overflow going on a towel on the spare bed. I've not had any injuries so far.

I only try to use yarn that will be machine washed. Having said that though, they go through the machine on a 30 wool wash, then dry over the airer. Even my koigu socks have gone through the machine and survived completely intact. The secret is as soon as the machine has stopped, whip them out before they start to crease, smooth them down and lay to dry.

As Knitbird says life's too short.

I see it as life's too short to spend days/weeks or longer knitting a complicated sock pattern, perhaps using hand-wash only yarn, only to risk disaster in the washing machine.

It takes me five minutes to wash the socks I care about by hand. Not really a significant chunk out of the day.

I have eighteen pairs to wash at a time. I must admit I had my heart in my mouth the first time I washed the camel, silk and merino pair but they came out ok. I don't have any beaded ones but the lace socks come out fine. The last time I bought a washer I made sure that it had a wool wash just for the socks. I put my handknit wool jumpers in there too (please no-one tell my mother). It has a handwash cycle too but as I don't hand wash anything anyway I'm not sure how that compares.

I stick mine in the bath with me - they swish around,they get clean, they get dunked in a sink of clean water to rinse any bubble bath off them and then they're done.

I stick mine in the bath with me - they swish around,they get clean, they get dunked in a sink of clean water to rinse any bubble bath off them and then they're done.

With them on your feet or not? :suspect::gag:

No, I let them swim freely

I used to handwash all my socks. I have a bidet and it never gets used for its original purpose, and it's great for handwashing. My boyfriend accidentally put a pair of handknitted socks in the wash, and since they were fine, I now do the same. They've not felted on me yet, though I do always feel I am being wild and reckless when I put them in the washing machine!

A different question, but related to socks. Does anyone know where I can buy those sock shaped pieces of plastic? They have them in shops and I thought they would look good when I take photos of socks.

Sock blockers, you can get them here (http://www.kcgtrading.com/tools.php) or you can bend a metal coat hanger to shape.

or you can also buy them here (http://www.getknitted.com/acatalog/Sock_Blockers_and_Slipper_Soles.html)

Thank you ladies. :thumbsup:

And if you want the (almost) free version, look here (http://www.needletrax.com/blockers.htm).