Niqkita's Sock Journal

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Archive for the ‘winter’ Category

Meet Ginger

Sock Dreams Ginger cashmere knee highs
The latest in the seemingly never-ending bevy of beauties sent our way by Biella.
She is tall and sophisticated…
ribbed like her little Angora sister Jaimee & nearly as soft.
She is 81% cashmere with enough nylon to help her keep her shape nicely.
She isn’t cheap and she isn’t shy. But don’t worry, if she isn’t your type, her taller sister Kimi and Kimi’s best friend Naomi are coming to town next week. Like most B.ellas these girls are from the USA, but they have a nice cousin arriving soon from Italy. A pretty little crochet cotton tight, she knows how to dress up in style…
Oh how I love fall in the world of socks!!!

Psssst… quick… over here… shhhhhh!!!!…

Fall is coming!! fall is coming!! fall is coming YAY!!  FANTASTIC SOCKS FOR FALL!! 

shhhh … I mean it!!

Keep it down now …. cause once it gets out that THESE ARE SOOO fANTASTIC  everybody and their mother is going to buy multiple pairs and deplete the stock before I get more. Envision an old movie department store scene where people are grabbing anything, and mutiple tug’s of war breakout…  ”mine, mine, mine” “I had it first” “let go of my sock” “Unhand that thigh high you cad“  :O)

In my humble opinion… The Cronert Ribbed Wool OTK’s are one of the best OTK socks since the old longsocks (sigh… remember them?!). Grab handfulls of these, stock up your sock drawers cause you are going to want to wear these daily! And oh yea… it’s really nice that they are wool (not the itchy kind.. the soft breathable touchable kind), and it’s certainly lovely that they are made by Cronert, and it’s really super that they come in great colors (the olive is trying to seduce me) … BUT… It’s just freakin AWESOME that they feel so good, fit so good, and are just so DARN COZY!

 The lightness of breathable wool was a wonderful surprise to me..

Now okay… you know I have to say it… I really could use a bit more length in them. That pretty little pattern change into the cable knit forms a line that starts at the top of my knee, so when I fold them over to cuff they just make it over my knees in length. I wish there was no pattern change line or that it started at least after my knee so that I could uncuff these and wear them as TRUE OTK’s (uncuffed as they are, I just don’t like that little line directly on my knee).

  Cuffed…Still makes it just over the knee of this Longer and Larger sock lover…

The cable knit part reminds me very much of the well adored Diamond Rid knee highs (similar stretch and feel to me), I dreamed of getting those knee highs in a thigh high, now these gorgeous OTK Cronerts are the closet thing I’ve found to that sock dream and I’m near giddy with delight. These don’t stay up perfectly (while walking, mine just sort slid down and then happily stayed just under my knees… so sock garters may be a must for some). And as far as foot fit goes, the heels “just” made it to meet mine (I would have loved some extra wiggle room)… but truly these are close enough for me… I LOVE THESE SOCKS!

Cool fall breezes and cozy, cuddly, beautiful days are coming and these are just what the doctor ordered.

Mine mine mine….

shhh.

Green is in the air…

Green is in the air
and so is a chill, with Fall near, tights weather is here!!!
We just restocked the EG Smith tights with the three missing colors due back soon. The quality of these tights seems better than ever this year as a new company has taken responsibility for their production and is also working with Eric (the E in EG Smith) on an exciting new line of green socks, not green like my new pair of chartreuse tights seen here, but green as in organically grown cotton dyed with natural dyes all made here in the US for what just might be the earth-friendliest socks ever! They should arrive by spring so stay tuned for that ~:) but for now, back to tights… EG Smith Bigger Better tights were not on the order list for awhile and that really upset us! sure these original “Leg Therapy” tights are supposed to fit up to 6 feet tall and 200 lbs, but not all proportions are comfortable in them and prefer the BBs. Better news? I’m asking them to make more colors in bigger better, including space dyed and heathers, and while we’re asking for stuff, how about some bigger better leggings? if you’ve tried to find genuine plus sized leggings you know there is room for improvement here. So here’s to dreaming up more ways to stay warm in the cooler months! Great for women and men alike, totally opaque with a nice roomy double-seamed rear and a few fresh images of the same old classic colors.

Cronert Preview

Arabesque over the knee socks
Simone brought our fall order in the other day…
I have been eagerly testing them out every day since!
I’ve photographed all but two styles (will add those next week) and am editing away tonight/tomorrow til I have them all ready to go. As soon as I do I’ll make them all live, should be by tomorrow afternoon. I already added in the four new argyles.
I went with small amounts of everything for this first order because they are fine Italian made socks and could put a dent in anyone’s sock budget, even mine. After trying nearly all of them I am most excited about the ribbed wool OTKs and will be ordering oodles to keep you all warm in the wee winter months ahead…
Cronert wool over the knee socks
notice how the larger size on the left are indeed longer than the smaller size on their right …and the stretch amazed us! unfortunately it was far too warm to really give those a try, but I saw enough to know you are all going to love them!

Arabesque dreams
btw, do any of you know the name and/or origin of the flower symbol on these?

Seasonal Disregard

These super soft sockies can easily be slouched and layered!!

Sometimes I want to eat dessert before dinner

(maybe I’m a freak, but sweet stuff makes me hungry for a main meal)

Sometimes I like white after labor day

(especially when it FEELS like summer well into November)

Sometimes I wear inappropriate shoes

(I once wore combat boots with a gown to a ball, yes an actual “ball”…

and even though “Muffy” stole my jacket that night, I had a blast)

Sometimes red and green are not just for the holidaze

(despite occasionally rude commentary from confused people when I wear my red/green mstripes year round. hey, remember that old Crazy Eddy commercial guy… “it’s Christmas in July”!!)

Sometimes I put on ankle length leggings or long socks even though it’s hot as an oven outside

(They are my legs and I’ll dress them as I please when I please, thank you… and hey, didn’t those old fashioned bathing beauties actually wear long wool socks or sometimes even tights with their cool bathing suits?)

These sock staples are a good pick for ANY season!

Today it’s nearly 100 degrees outside and I’m sitting here in the lovely AC, wearing boxer shorts, sipping cinnamon tea, and wearing my brownie brown (that’s what I call them) Cronert Cotton Overknee socks. Am I breaking some sort of summer rule? Am I tempting the fashion police with my seasonal disregard? Who cares! I’m comfy, cozy and cool just the way I am.

The Cronert Cotton Overknee are an excellent light weight OTK in rich deep colors. In my dreams (my sock dreams that is), I have always wanted a pair of basic black OTK in a lighter thin knit, with no shine, soft flat matte or brushed texture, that of course would fit my feet and go well over my knees. I once had a pair (way back when) that was PERFECT and fit my specifications to a “T”. Then for years I could not find any.

When I first sought out our sock Goddess, this dream sock was what I was looking for. She led me to the E.G. Smith Solid Over the Knee Stockings, Though close enough to my dream to become a sock wardrobe staple for me, they still left a little to be desired in size and length. I’m happy to say that these Cronerts (though pricier than the EG Smiths) do come just a bit closer to my dream size wise, and texture wise these have a lovely almost brushed texture, but do have a little shine when pulled taught over a larger calf.

From previous experience with the Cronert spring striped anklets, I had anticipated these to be much friendlier to the larger footed. Though slightly more forgiving than the EG Smith’s, these still come out a bit snug on my toes when the heel is properly lined up (and surprisingly, the larges don’t seem to me to be significantly larger in the feet than the small, but they do seem slightly longer in length). And although they do make it over my knee, it is not by much, yet still a smidgeon more than the EG’s. If I had to choose between the two, I think I would choose the Cronerts for size and the Smiths for price. But luckily, here at SD I can have a pair (or three) of each :O)

The brushed softness of these is nearly as cuddly as Vel ;o)

The Cronert Cotton Overknees stay up mostly well, though they are prone to do that rolly thingy. If you have enough length you can try folding over a cuff on top as that seems to help them not roll, but if (like me) you don’t have enough over the knee length to do that, I recommend a garter to keep them perfectly where you want em.

All in all, I’d recommend these to anyone who’s listening… I’m pretty smitten with these.. and although I am truly enjoying them now in this nasty summer weather, I think I may just end up loving them even more in the cooler fall and winter weather.

My Fair Lovelies

romantic pastel shades in soft sockies that are wonderfully touchable

(To the tune of “Wouldn’t it be lovely” from the musical ‘My Fair Lady’.)

All I want is a sock to wear,
Feet that fit with some room to spare.
In lengths that go up to “
there”,

Ohhhh, wouldn’t it be Lovelies?

Lots of colors would be a treat,
Lots of sizes for lots of feet.
Comfy even in summer’s heat,

Ohhhh, wouldn’t it be Lovelies!

(tee hee)

That beautiful girl is Kaytee (my Nephew’s girlfriend who I’ve now adopted as my second niece). She came over to visit me the night I was doing an O Lovelies sock review and I was lucky to have her pose for me.

Lovely Lovelies in blush pink

The O Lovelies fit her gorgeous legs perfectly and went well over her knees, the feet however on Kaytee were pretty loose (as where my pink shoes… She wears a size 7). She is also wearing one SD sock garter, the O Lovelies do seem to stay up decently… but as always, if they absolutely, positively must stay in place, best to grab a sock garter to be sure!

THE FEET!! These feet make me sooo HAPPY! I think they fit my size 11’s brilliantly! Prior to washing they seemed to have a tiny bit more room and I loved them like that too (and now, I know these aren’t supposed to shrink, but I swear they seem to now fit my feet perfectly after thier first bath).

Pretty on larger longer legs even if more of a knee high

I know that my Sock wishes in the future will be that O Lovelies will come in Lots of fun colors. But mostly right now I wish for a few more inches in length on the larger footed ones. On my larger and longer legs, these just barely make it past my knees (and that’s pulling on them). The difference in knit on the top band actually starts mid knee.

I’m touch obsessed with the texture of these. My memory of the sample sock was that they had felt more cottony. But my pretty pair of blush pink feels soft with an almost spongelike fluff. I can’t stop touching them! I think it may just be that sponge quality that allows them to breathe so well and be hot weather friendly. They are light and cool and look-wise Ideal for that school girl look. Oh and have I mentioned how perfectly sweet they look scrunched down around the ankles? Well, they’re adorable like that too!

And don’t even get me started on how pretty the textured vertical rib like pattern is… almost like a lacy crochet and soft like a baby’s blanket.

These really are Dreamy.

Meet Midge

Wooly, stripey, pretty & warm.  Midge is another dream come true at Sock Dreams
Sometimes it seems as if each Biella is even nicer than the last.
But to me Midge really stands out from the crowd for not only being warm and beautiful but cool & versatile as well. Did I mention soft? I could sleep in these for days. They went well with sneakers & boots and are sleek & stretchy enough around the feet to work with Mary Janes & heels. Really nice for keeping the winter chill out and light enough to enjoy in spring too. Midge could only be dreamier of she had a longer sister, maybe someday she will…

Miss Dater Angora Thigh Highs

MissDater's Angora

If you’re looking for a scrumptious pair of socks to keep your feet and legs warm, I suggest the Miss Dater Angora Thigh Highs. When I first saw the white color I knew I HAD to have it. It is so sweet with tiny flecks of other colours mixed in to it. Even the name is sweet: *baby’s blanket cream*. Doesn’t that just sound comforting? And they really are comforting when on too. They’re warm and soft, and the white pair surprised me by having NO itch to them at all… even before washing!

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As our beautiful sock friend Eva pointed out to me, these are made with the perl knit side showing on the outside, which gives it a nice weaved look. I found you can easily wear these inside out if you prefer keeping the perl look on the inside. The toe seam is small enough that it doesn’t really look like you’re socks are on inside out. However, these do get much fuzzier and softer with washing and time, so I recommend deciding on which side to wear on the outside before washing & wearing. The horribly blown out picture below really captured how fuzzy my *cranberry* pair has gotten. {Just ignore the bad photography.}

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The top part has a long ribbed section that keeps them up really well. I rarely need to adjust these at all. I got my white pair to stretch to 14″ before washing. The reds which have been washed a few times can stretch to 18″ in width. These are a good OTK length, even allowing me an ample cuff.

MissDater's Angora

They’re made of 45% modal rayon, 20% angora, 17% polyester, 15% wool and 3% spandex. You would think the angora and wool might itch, and right out of the package you’re right! ;) Somehow my red pair itches more than the white, even after many washings. But you can easily wear these over a tight or another stocking. In fact, that adds drama as the colour shows through the pretty crochet holes of the Dater’s.

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At $32 they are a higher end item, but they are well worth it for the comfort and beauty of a nice sock. They have formed feet which fit my 6.5s wonderfully. But since there is spandex in these, they do have a really good stretch and recovery. So larger feet should be happy in these too. I love these so much that I’m buying all the colours of them.