Socks for Elders

I recently received the following information and wanted to use this forum as a place to share it.

During the last couple of years the Salt Lake Weaver's Store and Rikki Darling have encouraged people to take part in the Navajo Socks-For-Elders program. This program was a great success, as the elders were touched and overwhelmed (far beyond expectations) by the gift of personally handknit socks! The Salt Lake Tribune even ran an article on the socks in October 1994.

The Adopt-A-Native-Elder program assists Navajo elders with food, medicine, and clothes to help meet basic needs. In support of this program, the Salt Lake Weaver's Store will accept donations of handknit socks for the elders. The socks will be personally delivered to the elders during the twice-yearly food run to the reservation.

If you would like to send a pair of socks, please send them to:

Riki Darling
c/o Salt Lake Weaver's Store
1227 East 3300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801/486-1610 or 1-800-363-5585

Winters are cold on the Navajo reservation and warm snuggly socks will be most welcome to the elders. Socks for fall delivery are needed at the store by September 1 (for spring by April 1).

Yarn

Choose easy care wool or wool blends for warmth and ease of care under diverse conditions which may include no running water or the town laundramat. Handspun is welcome too.

Color

Anything goes! Cheerful socks perk up a cold winter day.

Design

Tall socks which cover much of the leg are warmer. The more of the sock which has ribbing, the wider the range of feet the sock will fit (K2/P2 is stretchiest). Use your favorite pattern or method -- or try a new one.

Size

Elder's shoe sizes range from 5 to 9, so any woman's size sock will probably fit someone. Foot length (from back of heel to tip of toe) be approximately 8-1/2" to 10-1/2". Make the size you usually knit, pick one from a pattern, use the quantity of yarn you have, or use your own foot for a model.

Finish

Wash your socks when completed. This will both make them look nice and avoid any surprises like dye which runs or wool which shrinks!

Labels

Use a large safety pin or contrasting yarn loop to attach socks together along with the following:

Washing instructions if not machine washable
Yarn label if commercial yarn was used
A personal note from you, if desired. Enclosing an SASE will allow the elder to respond through a relative or visitor who writes English (no guarantee but the elders often do this).

Your gift of handknit socks is more than a physical object but a gift of love, time, and warmth which will please an elderly person.

If you have comments, please send email to: Rosemary Brock.

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