Long Woollen Rag Socks - Recycled Lambswool - Ekshärad (Adults 38-41)

Long Woollen Rag Socks - Recycled Lambswool - Ekshärad (Adults 38-41)*New! Snuggly kneehigh or long chunky recycled wool socks for winter, knitted in patterns inspired by traditional Swedish motifs. Truly gorgeous kneehigh socks made from recycled lambswool in Sweden by jbro Vantfabrik, dyed in subtle natural colours. Knit with reinforced heel & toe for extra strength. Wonderfully cosy to wear at home, they also make perfect winter socks with boots. So soft and warm! jbro Vantfabrik is dedicated to preserving and

*New! Snuggly kneehigh or long chunky recycled wool socks for winter, knitted in patterns inspired by traditional Swedish motifs.

Truly gorgeous kneehigh socks made from recycled lambswool in Sweden by Öjbro Vantfabrik, dyed in subtle natural colours. Knit with reinforced heel & toe for extra strength. Wonderfully cosy to wear at home, they also make perfect winter socks with boots. So soft and warm!

Öjbro Vantfabrik is dedicated to preserving and sharing Swedish knitting heritage. Each pair of beautiful jacquard knit socks features a design drawn from traditional patterns and personal stories.

The Ekshärad design is inspired by Värmland smithery and patterned and dyed in traditional colours. This pattern is also available in Merino socks and a woven throw 130x200cm. See below to read the Ekshärad story.

*Buy a pair of adults' socks, get 20% off our Sock Darner's Kit. A wonderful gift for sock lovers, wool lovers and Zero Wasters everywhere!  Learn the age old art of darning your socks.

Colours: Ekshärad Soot, Ekshärad Red

One size: EU 38/41

About other sizes: We decided to only get one size in the rag socks because in order to stock the smaller size we would have to double our order or halve the pattern selection. Because we sell relatively so few of the size 35-37 size socks, we decided to just get the most popular size but personally as a size 36.5-37 size foot, they actually fit me fine. In the fit advice below there are some patterns that are more firm fitting than others so they might be ones to focus on but generally it seems they all work for smaller feet too. 

About the fit: Öjbro socks are jacquard-knitted: this is stranded colourwork characterised by floats on the inside which carry the coloured yarns and create such intricate patterns. This means each pair gets its own little personality. It also changes the thickness of the sock, and affects the fit. Some socks fit a bit slimmer, others a bit more “hug-friendly.” Wondering about the fit? See below:

Fit advice:

• SLIM - fits like a gentle little foot hug. Patterns: Futhark, Lycksele
• MED - the sweet-spot fit for most feet. Patterns: Ekshärad, Fästfolk, Gotland, Kören, Yggdrasil
• GENEROUS - for those who like a bit of extra wiggle room for their toes. Patterns: Dalarna, Haga, Skaftö, Skogen.

How to put them on:
Because jacquard socks have floats on the inside, we recommend you put your socks on like your mum used to do for you when you were a child. Bunch them up to the toe, put your foot in place and then unravel the rest of the sock up your leg. Don’t try to just shove your whole foot in from the cuff as your toes might catch some of the floats!!

Brand: Öjbro Vantfabrik
Designed in: Sweden
Origin of Fibre: Recycled lambswool sourced in Sweden
Country of manufacture: Sweden
Fabric structure: Knitted from recycled lambswool with elastane, reinforced in toe and heel with polyamide (70% Wool, 5% Elastane, 25% Polyamide)
100% biodegradable: No
Machine Washable: Yes (see our guide to washing wool)

Care: Handwash using a gentle wool shampoo recommended for best results. To machine wash, choose a cold wool cycle, skipping the spin cycle. Dry flat on a towel, gently reshaping while wet. Do not tumble dry. Wool feels comfortable and dry, even when you sweat. It can absorb a lot of moisture (up to 33% of its dry weight). Air between uses, wash only when required. 

The story of the Ekshärad pattern: Ekshärad, located in the Värmland region, is renowned for its wooden church and historic cemetery, which dates back to the late 1600s. The iron crosses are shaped like trees of life, their loosely hanging "playing leaves" swaying in the wind. In earlier times, painted wooden eggs were attached to the crosses’ spikes for certain celebrations. Originally crafted by local village blacksmiths, the tradition endures today, with new crosses still being made at Stjärnsforssmedjan.

Ekshärad Church was first mentioned in the ancient "Västgötalagen" from the 1200s. The original church, built near the Klarälven River, suffered from flooding. A second church was constructed in the 1400s, but it too was damaged by the river’s waters. To avoid further flooding, the parish council decided to rebuild the church on higher ground. The current church, completed in 1686, stands as a testament to this history.

Designer Åse Öjbro, founder of Öjbro Vantfabrik, has created the Ekshärad design to incorporate the hanging leaves and spikes of the iron crosses, framed by small cottages. She says "I wanted to capture the essence of Ekshärad... these life-affirming crosses, so deeply rooted in Swedish cultural history and craftsmanship, all still preserved in Ekshärad."

These trees of life are an ancient symbol, reminding us that life continues even after people pass away. These unique symbols have made Ekshärad an international attraction, featured on both stamps and in encyclopedias. Thanks to Provost Krook, many of the older crosses have been preserved, with the oldest dating back to the late 1600s.

At the Ekshärad cemetery, more than 500 iron crosses stand as a testament to this enduring tradition. The iron crosses form a significant part of Ekshärad’s identity, telling a timeless story of artistry, history, and faith.