How to Store Knitted Socks

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I just put away my laundry and I have to confess: my sock drawer is officially full! I’ve knitted over 80 pairs of handknit socks, at least half of which I’ve kept for myself, so I thought I’d write this post to share two important tips about how to store knitted socks.

Sock Storage Tip #1: Cedar is Your Friend!

I used to think that you only had to use mothballs if you were boxing your knits up for long-term storage in the attic, but that’s not the case.  Even if you store your knitted objects in a nice clean place like a drawer or bedroom closet, the bugs can still find them, but it’s pretty simple to protect them using cedar. I picked up a pack of cedar blocks fairly cheap and I tossed a bunch in my drawer.  I don’t wear socks during the summer, so when I’m done with them for the season, I’ll use some fine grit sanding paper and give the blocks a light sanding to refresh the cedar scent. I got the blocks below on Knit Picks but they don’t carry them anymore. Luckily there are zillions of options on Amazon: these are my pick because they shaped like flowers!

If you store your socks in the closet, you could invest in some cedar boxes to keep your knits organized and safe. (And they make gorgeous Instagram props!)

Sock Storage Tip #2:  Fold Your Socks!

When storing handknit socks always fold them.  Don’t do that thing you do with commercially made socks where you roll them into a ball and pull the cuff over the ball to hold them in place.  This will permanently stretch the cuff out and your socks will look wonky and won’t fit right.  I have a lot of socks in my drawer, as you can see above, so I fold them vertically.  I’ve seen other knitters roll theirs up jelly-roll-style.

Bonus Sock Storage Tip!

This isn’t really a storage tip, but more of an “after storage” tip.  If your socks don’t look as nice as you’d like them to after a period of storage, you can do a quick re-block to refresh the shape.  You’ll need a spray bottle with water or, even better, Soak Flatter refreshing spray.  Mist the socks and then pop them on a sock blocker.  If you don’t have a sock blocker, you can just smooth and shape the stitches with your hands and lay them flat to dry.