The Problem
First let me say this isn't about the cost of a sock. This is about fighting back against the throw-away, out-of-control consumerism that has brought us to the brink of the apocalypse. It is also about combatting the emotional embarrassment of finding yourself at someone's house or, worse yet, a spiritual retreat in Ojai, where it becomes clear that the exception is that everyone is expected to remove their shoes. And it is about cute little bugs. It is a win-win scenario. Part of the Summer of Invention has been about tuning in to quotidian, annoying little problems that generally go unnoticed and figuring out how to fix them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dCJv_VC1xwY3VVm5oxn8REcF4GOhBhloAmIHqXuxW3tjbmYpVFMXxfONBEEe0WJ63DhL9-J1Q3Zx1cs4PpcVtDHzIc9hM3TiDzliDzDz4hg27ONR7jY5g8pWDGpgruOmPdRWWdey-SJMvLV9F4Z5hwALigFD-jJyQmsn3rcLoCCB1S3G1jJQS5wMWmiw/w400-h304/problemA.jpg) |
A graphic take on problem identification: sock toe holes |
The Solution
I have always wanted a darning egg for purely aesthetic fondling possibilities. I have never known how they are actually used. I ordered a cheap one online that came with darning needles and a set of embroidery thread. It arrived within 24 hours. The kit cost less than a good pair of socks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0ks2XuOfYDNhR0f1X8Atf4DNJYshwAUKpUhFDyMO7XWphJe5y_aWiEC1kwE7H2b3qnK7VN8ppTZ2KVS4b7qIUHoU6DO37VDBOMcsB7-DDZ67kZ3KlB_TO2ikg4H31EB_iK7xZLVq9XQUTccfaeTgzR7nQfyYW6CSMEUKohzOoxfjT0mTr0Bhb1wc8a8W/w400-h318/ProblemB.jpg) |
The solution: a darning egg kit |
I then spent about twenty minutes watching online how-to videos regarding darning and felt I had grasped the general idea.
The Toe Bugs
As a rank beginner when it comes to darning eggs, I found my first toe patch looked scraggly and had a couple of random bits sticking out. It looked sort of like a bug. This was the "aha" moment; I rethreaded the needle, went back in, and added a couple of legs and antenna.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtgVO2434zjQE85fwNuUUaiDiAhkPW7lItUtP1Y2bFYDeMHBdPu50ojUX5E-BKAUjdLbftDSS8y7-R3ufdt5IxTNaHpTydv3J7bptGC7-fhW14xObZTY9b5P7XsKEWzs3s8L2rtvGcMXN41ocRAd3tRt14-tRi4mLyIlXl_uDszcaD65Q_GQ7v4uqLmLK/w374-h400/toe1.jpg) |
The first wonky toe bug |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rYN5M5P0t3wmUrhgqr40E847WlcX611Z_ELuksTFHtBqIyw2jMsmOhK3ehmX-pjAWu02GrcAWyxbFx7qxvVSmXYdLgzDB04OZ5NCbRs0JwpjB6aJcvIMUq11qb3uzyx_w6H6dB2ZMEFn7VEwTD2v2-fPrmMg1_oTE8BOzNDg7uSJExR2YuFprifM15SO/w386-h400/Toe2.jpg) |
Colors that pop make for happy toe bugs |
This is admittedly an invention far behind the times, a recycled invention from yesteryear. Which may be a lesson about thinking twice before you dispose of anything, including ideas.