Wool socks

Wool socks

These socks are made from pure virgin wool sourced from Xalda sheep. Hand-knitted wool socks —known as calcetos in Asturian— have long been part of traditional Asturian attire, and they remain one of the few garments that have endured to the present day. While traditionally they were monochrome, usually white or black, more recent designs have introduced a variety of patterns and colors. In this case, the socks are made from undyed raw wool, and by combining naturally colored wool, decorative motifs are also created.

1616

asturiasmap

The socks are produced continuously, depending on the availability of raw materials and demand. This particular item was crafted in 2025 and is currently held in stock, ready for sale.

iain

Asturian,Spanish

Physical Object

727

Calcetines de lana, calcetos

13/10/2025

Argüelles Sánchez, L. (1986). Indumentaria popular en Asturias. GH Ed. Roza, G. (2006). La indumentaria tradicional asturiana: Guía práctica. Gloria Roza Cuesta. Santoveña Zapatero, F. (2018). Traje tradicional, indumentaria popular y construcción del cuerpo en Asturias (1860-1920). Muséu del Pueblu d’Asturies; Fundación Municipal de Cultura, Educación y Universidad Popular; Ayto. de Gijón / Xixón. https://sedeelectronica.gijon.es/publicacions/show/8549-traje-tradicional-indumentaria-popular-y-construccion-del-cuerpo-en-asturias-1860-1920/

25-40cm x cm x cm

current,43.204933648779495,-5.993876638159771;

TEXT

https://culturality.museum/wiki/index.php/Wool_socks

1788

Virgin wool from Xalda sheep, available in three natural shades: black, grey, and white — the original colors of the animal.

Cultural

fibre and textile crafts

Machinery for washing, carding, and spinning wool; knitting needles.

Tene, Quirós, Asturias, Spain

The wool comes from Xalda sheep raised on farms in Asturias.

Traditionally, women carried out the entire wool process at home —shearing, washing, carding, and spinning— and continuously knitted socks and stockings for family members using the resulting yarn. Typically, the socks are knitted with undyed sheep’s wool, using four wooden needles. The wool comes from local farms in Asturias and has been selected by Marina in the natural colors of Xalda sheep: black, grey, and white. The raw material is sent to a spinning mill, where it undergoes washing, carding, and spinning. Marina handcrafts these socks herself.

Garment providing warmth for the feet.

Direct sale to customers.

Limited-run production.

Wool socks are one of the most iconic garments of traditional Asturian attire, and their use has endured almost to the present day. Originally, women knitted them at home for the entire family, using four wooden needles. With the industrialization of sock production and the decline of traditional rural life, this typically female craft ceased to be practiced domestically. Nevertheless, these socks remain in demand—not only for historical reenactments or traditional folklore groups. The natural properties of wool make them especially suitable for everyday use, and in fact, merino wool is beginning to reappear in sportswear due to its beneficial qualities. This piece aims to be a contemporary garment rooted in tradition, reconnecting clothing with local identity and landscape.

UNIOVI_AR_45