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Socks! Recommendations (for UK shopping)?

JenniferW

JenniferW

Well-Known Member
Messages
598
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I need loose-top socks and have so far tried M&S cotton (mens) - dark blue are fine, but the black ones are dire, super-shapeless and go into uncomfortable ruckles immediately (uncomfortable for my feet with neuropathy). I've got some John Lewis wool ones which are pretty good and I need more wool ones even though it's now spring because my feet do now feel cold too much of the time. I'm at the top end of women's for size, lower end of men's. Any recommendations?
 
JenniferW said:
I need loose-top socks and have so far tried M&S cotton (mens) - dark blue are fine, but the black ones are dire, super-shapeless and go into uncomfortable ruckles immediately (uncomfortable for my feet with neuropathy). I've got some John Lewis wool ones which are pretty good and I need more wool ones even though it's now spring because my feet do now feel cold too much of the time. I'm at the top end of women's for size, lower end of men's. Any recommendations?
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Socks from this English company are the best that I have found. They have high merino wool content and soft tops. https://www.hj.co.uk The thin socks are good even in the Summer and I have no problem with perspiration in my feet.
 
Corrymoor socks are brilliant. They are angora but do not itch at all. Made in UK, a family business with their own herd supplying the raw material.They do a soft-top version, which I always use. Very hard wearing, very warm, easy to wash. I wear mine winter and summer.
 
I'd second HJ Hall socks. They used to be made in our nearest town, but have moved to Leicester now.

Their wide topped socks are very gentle, apparently, although I have never worn them.

HJ Hall socks are sold in a little shop in town which seels things like vests, pants, nighties and so on, so you may find them locally to you.
 
I've used Gentle Grip too.
I've also been known to cut the elasticated tops off normal socks as well. This seems to work at a pinch (well, you know what I mean).

I've also cut a vertical slit just through the elasticated top. This loosens it considerably.
 
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@JenniferW Have you thought of knitting your own?
I started making a lot of my own clothes way back in the 1960s and have probably had a sock in progress ever since - they are so much more comfortable than anything I have ever bought - I tend to make rather flashy ones - I was, after all, a hippy, but had to tone down my tastes eventually to have sensible socks in the drawer.
If you start at the toe you can easily make up a 'made to measure' item - I even make a left and a right foot sock, and have plans to spin some alpaca and sheep fleece into a yarn of about 50/50 composition for next winter as most of me coped with the lack of the winter fuel allowance and the economies we made, but my feet did feel cold on the solid floor in the kitchen.
 
ElenaP said:
Socks from this English company are the best that I have found. They have high merino wool content and soft tops. https://www.hj.co.uk The thin socks are good even in the Summer and I have no problem with perspiration in my feet.
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Thanks for your recommendation - great socks. So far I've tried the wool ones and the cotton ones (trying a bamboo pair tomorrow). What an improvement over any that I've tried before. Now I wonder why I didn't ask here ages ago.
 
Resurgam said:
@JenniferW Have you thought of knitting your own?
I started making a lot of my own clothes way back in the 1960s and have probably had a sock in progress ever since - they are so much more comfortable than anything I have ever bought - I tend to make rather flashy ones - I was, after all, a hippy, but had to tone down my tastes eventually to have sensible socks in the drawer.
If you start at the toe you can easily make up a 'made to measure' item - I even make a left and a right foot sock, and have plans to spin some alpaca and sheep fleece into a yarn of about 50/50 composition for next winter as most of me coped with the lack of the winter fuel allowance and the economies we made, but my feet did feel cold on the solid floor in the kitchen.
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I'm in a local craft group where there are several people always knitting socks (of all sorts) and after lots of discussions about it, I rejected this idea. My knitting's not good enough to churn out a week's supply quickly, for one thing! And unfortunately, I have negative memories of a childhood of hand-knitted socks. Also, ElenaP has really sorted it for me now.
 
Outlier said:
Corrymoor socks are brilliant. They are angora but do not itch at all. Made in UK, a family business with their own herd supplying the raw material.They do a soft-top version, which I always use. Very hard wearing, very warm, easy to wash. I wear mine winter and summer.
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Thanks for the suggestion but ElenaP has really sorted it for me now.
 
h884 said:
I would recommend Cosyfeet for socks and shoes
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Thanks for the suggestion but ElenaP has really sorted it for me now. But I think I'm also going to try Cosyfeet as well.
 
AndBreathe said:
I'd second HJ Hall socks. They used to be made in our nearest town, but have moved to Leicester now.

Their wide topped socks are very gentle, apparently, although I have never worn them.

HJ Hall socks are sold in a little shop in town which seels things like vests, pants, nighties and so on, so you may find them locally to you.
Click to expand...
I can't believe how glad I am that I asked here for recommendations! I'm trying out my first order from HJHall, and can't believe how much more comfortable they are than what I'd been wearing for the last few years (John Lewis and M&S).
 
KennyA said:
I've used Gentle Grip socks for years now. Comfortable and inexpensive and they don't leave you with any compression dents.
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Thanks for the suggestion but ElenaP has really sorted it for me for now with the HJHall socks. I'll try Gentle Grip in a next order!
 
Billy Ruffian said:
I've used Gentle Grip too.
I've also been known to cut the elasticated tops off normal socks as well. This seems to work at a pinch (well, you know what I mean).

I've also cut a vertical slit just through the elasticated top. This loosens it considerably.
Click to expand...
A friend does that, but until I resorted to it, I had the bright idea of asking for recommendations here - and people have really sorted this for me. Thanks for all being so helpful.
 
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