Today’s post is one in a series called Tuff Socks Naturally, an open, collaborative project exploring more sustainable alternatives to superwash and nylon in sock yarn. You can join in on the discussion, share pics and projects on this blog or Local and Bespoke or on instagram using the hashtag #tuffsocksnaturally.

I recently had my first experience with chilblains in over thirty years. Ballarat is a colder place than Melbourne and the mornings can be quite icy. The only day I did not wear my handspun, handknitted socks, I got a very painful, itchy chilblain on one toe.

I had worn tights that day with my normal winter boots but within half an hour of stepping outside, I found I could no longer feel my feet. They stayed that numb kind of cold all day, thawing out eventually overnight. Within 24 hours, there was the chilblain.

It healed quickly but the experience served to remind me that using wool is important. It keeps us warm and healthy. It is renewable and biodegradeable. It can be human scale not just industrial scale.

Pablo Neruda says it best in Ode to My Socks

beauty is twice beauty
and what is good is doubly good
when it is a matter of two socks
made of wool in winter.

Wear wool and stay safe in winter folks.

Ravelry details on these socks are here.