Mongrel Socks Alive!

We'll have to do matching Mongrel Tasmanis deal.

2011-12-08T03:46:00.001-08:00

Or even better a mongrel Mongrel Tasmanis deal. We should call it after our Mary and name it Our Right Royal deal, each of our pure merino wool products... e.g.

A beanie thats not, but is and more...

2011-12-08T02:50:00.001-08:00

Actually it's one of our gorgeous pure merino wool neckwarmers, simply rubber-banded on one end, turned inside out and on it goes. Multi tasking fair and square or really quite groovy, me thinks. And lets not forget warm!

Posting ( it must be Xmas) and playing...

2011-12-07T21:48:00.001-08:00

Not much production going on in the sweatshop in the last few days. Well, plenty of knitting but we're a bit slow on the finishing. Never mind, they're not going anywhere half done. But lots of packing & posting off our web and wholesale orders, yep, Xmas is here. I feel a lot like Santa with my sacks of parcels. TG for the lovely staff at our local Post Office, they let me park and lug in via

Customers are gold.

2011-12-06T03:50:00.000-08:00

Our customers are gold. Never failing to put a spring in our step, and shine on our days. Here's a few of the comments we've recently had the pleasure to get....... Just bought some more socks (tuff mongrels) for work.was surprised at how cool woolen socks can be despite being in heavy work boots all day.i got a pair while on honeymoon in Tasmania and loved them, had to get more. Have 6 pairs

When a sheep is a cowl......

2011-10-07T00:10:00.000-07:00

Yay, just about to begin our 2nd run of our range of gorgeous Pure Tasmanian Wool Loop Scarves and Neck Warmers aka Cowls. The first edition has been selling well, so well in-fact that we really need to stock up again soon. We're looking forward to experimenting with some new colour mixes as well as re-doing the current selection.

busy, busy....

2011-08-26T03:54:00.000-07:00

My inbox

2011-07-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

From a delightful customer. How nice is it that she bothered to tell me her tale? I am in Dragons Abreast Sydney, a dragonboating club for survivors of breast cancer. In 2010, nine women from my club trained for 10 months and then travelled to Canada to compete in the Yukon River Quest, a 746km marathon, 24 hour a day paddle along the Yukon River through the Canadian

Thinking labels

2011-07-25T04:25:00.000-07:00

Working on our new label for the Endless loop Scarf. I thought the best way to go was to list all the qualities the new product and prioritise. Trying to whittle down to a key message we need to convey. KIS (or keep it simple) we say. This is what I came up with. I think I just designed our new label! I'm really liking it. You get the idea. Still thinking.............

Coming soon.

2011-07-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

Having sourced the amazing Tasmanian grown, non-mulesed Pure Merino Wool - knowing there are only so many sock making hours in the day. We have turned our attention to developing a range of scarves. We’ve settled on two sorts the garden variety and a wide joined cowl. We have enlisted the help of a local Disability Enterprise. Prototypes have been knitted, experimenting is underway on the finish,

10 minutes at the end of the day........

2011-07-15T01:17:00.000-07:00

View from the Mongrel Socks corporate nerve centre this evening. 10 minutes later Why I really had the camera out - but got distracted by the amazing view. The prototype of the our new Tasmanian grown, certified non-mulesed Tasmanian made Pure Merino Wool scarf I've been wearing this cowl all day, 2-12 degree's C. Perfect! Hopefully we'll have them in stock by the end of July.

Mail order socks

2011-07-06T01:52:00.000-07:00

Note to self

2011-07-03T05:32:00.000-07:00

At the EOFY "idle" is a word I feel the overwhelming need to connect with. As wise as these words are. Really looking forward to going back to being a simple old (not that old!) sock maker, now that all the admin and tax stuff is taken care of.

Good weather for socks

2011-06-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is why we do what we do. If we lived in the tropics I think we'd probably make ice cream for a living. The forecast for this week is nothing over 12.C. and it's only June. A big bad winter coming. I don't think we'll be the only ones not taking our warm woolly socks off.

It's here, it's here, it's here!!!

2011-06-03T04:46:00.000-07:00

Imagine - wool from certified happy sheep! Our new supply of certified Tasmanian Grown, Non-mulesed Pure Merino Wool has finally arrived. We are so very happy, and within minutes of it arriving, we had started knitting and haven't stopped! We need to really fill in all the colour gaps we accumulated as we ran down our last supply. Once thats done, the fun starts, as we play with new colour

Another lovely customer of ours

2011-05-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

An email we received yesterday. My name is Ciaran (pronounced ki - ron), I live in Melbourne, and I bought some socks from you just over a week ago at Salamanca Market, when I was staying in Hobart for a few days. I bought 3 pairs of the Bamboo Tasmanis and I told you that I would tell you about these socks. They are FANTASTIC, they are warm, comfortable AND durable, and it's very hard to find

Holding our breath.

2011-04-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

It is so close, we are low on yarn and we have just received all the paperwork associated with our new long awaited Tassie Grown Non-mulesed pure wool yarn, including the official certification. Yee ha!

Non-mulesed Tasmanian Merino so close...........

2011-04-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

Our new supply of gorgeous certified Tasmanian grown non-mulesed merino will soon hit the Mongrel Sock knitting machines, and we can hardly wait. The artwork for the new swing tags has been done, and will shortly head off to the printer for production. We have worked hard to secure this new trackable sheep to shelf wool source. Not only have we been able to meet the highest animal welfare

Trawling Socks

2011-03-21T02:56:00.000-07:00

Being in the sock business, making or sourcing our stock. I often trawl the net for socks. Checking out the competition and finding great socks to sell on our website. I found something interesting and checked out the feedback as usual and found this. mmm.......someones a bit snippy.

Mongrel Socks on the map.

2011-03-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

Stop looking we've found us! Well, google maps has anyway. Now our Salamanca Market customers will have an easier time finding us amongst the 300 strong stalls at Salamanca Market. A is the spot where our factory outlet stall is located on Saturdays, and also where the Tasmanian Woollen Company stocks our pure wool Mongrel Socks every day of the week. The Tasmanian Woollen Company kindly stock

Dogs

2011-03-15T04:18:00.000-07:00

The lovely Connie - looking very demure. Sniffing out something... It's a rather sporty look, as if she's a part of the lycra gang. Our little mongrel Ardie. Loving Mongrel Socks today. While the rest of the world seems to be going crazy, we’re safely ensconced down here in little old Tasmania. Feeling lucky. Lucky not only because Mother Nature has left us untouched by her fury, lucky

Red Tuff Mongrels back in stock

2011-03-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

After a long wait for the yarn, we have been madly knitting up the full size range in our very popular Tuff Mongrels and they are now back on offer at our website. These babies are a great work sock and heavy duty sock. We source this yarn from Schoeller in Germany, because they do technology so well. The blend of 60% wool and 40% polypropylene, makes them fast drying, light weight (for their

Keeping up............

2011-02-28T03:01:00.000-08:00

Cold Comfort-Tasmania manufacturers the Pure Wool “Mongrel Tasmanis” brand range wholly in Tasmania, from certified non-mulesed Tasmanian grown wool (April ’11), as well as presenting a range of Australian and imported product. With wool prices rising by up to 12% right now and we think they’ll easily hit 20% or more, we’re more than a little bit worried. With PETA actively campaigning against

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T03:30:00.000-08:00

A range of our gorgeous socks, St Valentines Day inspired, made and worn with love. Big kisses to all our lovely customers!

Good wool and happy sheep

2011-02-07T03:44:00.000-08:00

The news item below is reported by the Textile Source released: Monday, 7 February 2011You will be excused for thinking that every Aussie Sheep Farmer muleses thier flock after reading this story. I've just got to say they don't! Especially in here in Tasmania. From April this year all our gorgeous wool will be certified non-mulesed Tasmanian grown. All our pure wool products will carry

Smelly Feet - step right up.

2011-01-17T02:59:00.000-08:00

Better Health Vic has a bit to say about smelly feet. We already knew our wool, cotton, bamboo and possum socks were wonderful to wear, but it's nice to see the word getting out. Here in Mongrel Socks Land we love natural fibre's. Check this independent recommendation of natural fibre worn for health. www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Oprah's Oz

2011-01-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

As you have probably heard by now, the Oprah Winfrey Ultimate Australian Adventure airs in the US and Australia this week and we’re delighted that Tasmania will feature in the very first episode! After meeting Gayle King and Oprah's holidaying Ladies at Salamanca Market when they were down our way, team Mongrel Socks is very excited to see just how our much loved home will look to the rest of

Big Thanks

2011-01-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

Big thanks to Bruny Island Cruises for a fantastic adventure yesterday. Team Mongrel Socks spent the day with them, where the Tasman Sea and the Great Southern Ocean meet. It was wild! Highly recommended.

Sock Days off, not off sock days!

2010-12-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

The House of Mongrel Socks is now in to our long awaited "go slow" Xmas/New Year. Yay! We've stopped our manic production, Frithy has 2 weeks off, and we will just be doing the minimum to keep business ticking over. Amazing to still have online orders coming in ( even on Xmas day) we'll get them out quick smart, but that will be the only thing we'll hurry with until the 10th of Jan, when Frith is

Merry Xmas one and all!

2010-12-23T23:51:00.000-08:00

We've downed tools and sent the last Mongrel Sock parcels out, settling in for a quiet Chrissie Eve. Just finished wrapping the family goodies and listening to a bent Christmas song by the Pogues - A New York Fairytale. Loving the Tex Perkins and Clare Bowditch version. Check it out here.

Mongrel Socks Christmas

2010-12-20T00:02:00.000-08:00

Time flies........team Mongrel Socks have been busy little beavers getting all those Xmas orders out. I felt like Santa dragging our jags of parcels in to the post office today, then a lot like a sheep when I saw the queue out the door. Ah well. It's been a big few weeks for Mongrel Socks and we have the photo's to prove it. The Oprah roadshow hit Australia last week, with her best friend Gayle

Bamboo Socks

2010-11-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

These babies are the first prototypes of our new Bamboo Sock range. We've impressed even ourselves, with these ones. The feel and silky softness of these socks is just what we had hoped. The wonderful characteristic's Bamboo fibre provides like its high absorbancy and antibacterial properties along with our comfort top and hand linked (seamless) toe seam make this sock a winner in our eye's.

Mongrel Socks out of hibernation!

2010-11-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

Leonard Cohen on stage at his Hobart concert. He's 75 years old and still putting on a fantastic show. We are so lucky. Dinner at Don Camillo was excellent The Mongrel Socks garden looks a treat, especially with the Nerine Scott sculpture we we're so lucky to be given. Wrapped around the old log, it looks like it was made for it. One of the many wicked sweets Don Camillo whipped up for

Possum Socks flying out the door!

2010-11-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

Our wonderful new Mongrel Tasmanis Possum Boot Socks have been a big hit! So much so that for the next 2 weeks we are unable to supply orders. They sold out so much quicker than we expected that we've been caught short. They are a beautiful soft luxury sock, we felt our sock buying customers would love and they did. Good thing they'll be back in time for our Xmas sock orders.

Bamboo Socks - the size?

2010-11-01T03:48:00.000-07:00

Armed with the experience of many years of making, buying, selling and wearing socks, we are all too aware that choosing the right size pair of socks can be confusing. Nothing worse than getting the wrong size, "too late" she cried! For our new healthy and eco friendly Bamboo Socks range, we are trying to make the size EASY. Time will tell if it works, maybe it's just too much information, we'll

Bamboo Tasmanis - The Sock

2010-10-31T03:05:00.000-07:00

Our hot of the press new Bamboo Socks label Big thanks to friend of Mongrel Socks Georgie Fenton of By George Design Now we just need to get those babies knitted!

Socks over dinner.

2010-10-27T03:54:00.000-07:00

Having dinner with friends the other day, Vic's vivid Space Dye Cotton socks shouted for attention. Not really, we were talking about the light lady Blunnies she loves.

Having a devil of a time.....Salvation Sunday

2010-10-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

It was a big weekend for Mongrel Socks. We spent our usual Saturday at Salamanca Market in Hobart plying our humble socks, then spent a fantastic day at Meadowbank Estate helping out the wonderful Sharon Stegeman and the Meadowbank Crew put on a Tasmanian Devil family day "Salvation Sunday" fundraiser. The weather was kind, Razor a 4 month old Tassie Devil put in an appearance, along with a

Bamboo Socks- phew!

2010-10-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

Its seems to have taken forever but after much to-ing and fro-ing we have nailed it. Thanks to the help of Baily. A man very good at his job. We have finally settled on a prototype, and in to production they go. Our new Bamboo Socks should arrive by Xmas (fingers crossed xxx). I am so happy with them they are everything we wanted. A thicker terry lined boot sock, with no toe seam and a generous

Socks......black and white this time

2010-10-10T23:10:00.000-07:00

I did my fair share of stalking at Salamanca Market this week. I spotted this Mongrel Sock wearer out for a walk. We also had the filmong of an upcoming episode of the ABC show"The Collectors". Of course sock collecting is only big at the house of Mongrel Socks, it may catch on, we live in hope. They filmed mostly bric-a-brac stalls and one happened to be right by our Mongrel Sock shop. I think

Being easy in green

2010-10-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

Kicking back last night I noticed my odd Mongrel Socks coming together in a mismatched kind of way, with the help of my favorite nana rug. Who was it that said "blue and green should not be seen with out a colour in between" never saw my blanket.

Same socks, different day.

2010-10-01T00:27:00.000-07:00

After finishing up in the Mongrel Sock workshop today, the last job is always the sweep through to clean up ready for next week. Even the sweeping's are a delight..... The colours in this sock run are beautiful. We are truely blessed to be surrounded by things of such beauty. The colours we are able to use in our pure wool Mongrel Socks and Mongrel Tasmanis head, arm and leg warmers are

These socks were made for walking

2010-09-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

Mongrel Socks out and about in Hobart last week end.

Delicious Socks

2010-09-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

I have always thought some of our pure wool Mongrel Sock colours are good enough to eat but this lass took it a bit too far.

Recycled Socks

2010-09-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

I can't believe nearly a month has gone by since I last sat and posted. Well, I can because it's been a mad month. Heads down in the Mongrel Sock workshop, seems like we are forever playing catch up. Over the last week things have quietened down and I have found some time to play. We have continued our quest to reduce our factory waste and morph it in to something useful. I have been busy making

Back to the drawing board...

2010-08-26T06:17:00.000-07:00

The pure wool socks gauntlet/cuffs liner needs tweaking. Oh well, Rome wasn't built in a day. After doing the 5 washes just to see what it does or would do for a potential customer - BIG FAIL. I'm glad I bothered, as impatient as I am. Not that I am worried, best it fails on me, eh? Now looking for a stretch binding to tidy the edging, that won't shrink. A few more trials ahead but we really

Gauntlet, Wrist warmer, cuffs prototype.

2010-08-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

Amongst all the usual sock making things, I've been working a new use of our waste. I just hate to throw something out. Especially faulty socks since they take as long to knit as perfectly good socks and I know the 20 micron, pure wool is wonderful. I've made cuffs out of old/faulty sock tops for years, but I have been tweeking the design of lined cuffs. "To thumb hole or not to thumb hole?" Not

The changing colour of socks.

2010-07-28T23:46:00.000-07:00

That making socks can be repetitive...is an understatement. When we finish a run of a colour in all the sizes and different products we make. Even if we began liking the colour mix, by the time we're ready to change colour we are well and truly sick of the sight of it. Always a pleasure to choose the next colour mix. While we do have a standard colour range in our Pure Wool products, dye lots

Sockarazzi

2010-07-25T04:36:00.000-07:00

These Mongrel socks and arm/leg warmers were spotted out and about last weekend and the fabulous wearer's kindly allowed us to take a quick snap. Generally we wouldn't take any identifying shots, always hard to tell who's foot is who's but I have included one this week (with his permission) featuring a smile so infectious that one look would melt the hardest of hearts. His smiling eyes are

Polars Bears, Caribou and Possum.....same,same but different.

2010-07-14T04:26:00.000-07:00

Mongrel Tasmanis Possum Boot Socks image credit www.firstpeople.us image credit : Bob Stevens; US Fish and Wildlife Service; license: public domain image credit Me These hollow fibre fur wearing animals, from very different environments, enjoy the fantastic thermal qualities of natural hollow fibre. Now you can too. New Zealands feral Possum ravaged bush

Every time I turn around.

2010-07-13T02:53:00.000-07:00

...a week has gone by. Here I am again. Big busy weeks, still finishing in our tax stuff and the usual. I'm really excited, I am sitting here trialing our long await new Possum Socks. First time I've been out of our pure wool Mongrels since I can remember. I love my mongrels but these feel great. Our long awaited ( and still waiting) new supply of possum/merino yarn is due at the end of August,

Keeping the home fire burning....

2010-07-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

Winter is the busiest time of the year for Mongrel Socks - and we love it. One of the other small joys we embrace is the roaring wood fire that chases the winter chills away.

Dog days

2010-07-05T04:26:00.000-07:00

Spotted out and about in Hobart. Love dogs and creative people. Just had to stop and get a shot. The dawg below is enjoying the blanket show, clearly, check the video on youtube. You've got to laugh.

Wow!

2010-07-04T00:57:00.000-07:00

This is one more Mongrel Socks in the street, on the move this time. I like the effect - shocking camera skills but.....

Kicking around in Mongrel Socks

2010-07-03T22:02:00.000-07:00

We had a great day at our Salamanca Market stall yesterday. After 15 years of predawn starts, whatever the weather, you would think we'd get a bit tired of the place. But no. Every Saturday we get out of the sweat shop and amongst the masses. I look forward to our regular Gypsy Roll breakfast, and the best coffee @ Tricycle Cafe and catching up with friends and customers. I love the socks we

Look at me!

2010-06-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

My dear and very talented friend Nerine took at look at a photo I put here on my last post, and turned me in to a gorgeous "flat girl" I am feeling almost famous. I love it.

What happened to the last two weeks?

2010-06-29T04:31:00.000-07:00

It's bit of a blur, getting on and getting along. All good. Busiest time of the year, mid winter & tax time at the home of Mongrel Socks. Our news is new Possum Socks will arrive soon "Special Edition" Kiwi made and grown. Our supplies of the original Mongrel Tasmanis Possum Sock, won't be replenished for around 7 weeks. Not soon enough, so if any one is thinking of buying Possum Socks, do so

Zombies

2010-06-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

Salamanca Market Zombies. A film by Quebec Foxtrot. There's always something happening @ Salamanca Market, last weekend was no exception. A mob of Zombies materialised (an unpublicised but annual happening) and ran rampant (in a slow zombie kind of way) through the Market right past our Mongrel Socks stall. I found this video on local news website. Turns out my sister filmed it. Weird hearing

Long weekend

2010-06-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

After having a fantasic time at the Red Wine Weekend, tasting many of the 76 beautiful Tasmanian wines on offer, I want to share my top 3 picks. Number one and way head of the rest was a fine Birches Bay grown Pinot - Yellow Point "Bloody Eleventh" no website for this grower, but if your interested in purchasing your can email an order you won't be dissappointed. Number 2 pick is Riversdale 2008

No socks today!

2010-06-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Red Wine Week-end Just heading out to spend a few decadent hours tasting over 70 of Southern Tassie's great red wines - together with a some smooth Bruny Island Cheese. Tom and Oen here we come. We've got a great promo with Bruny Island Cheese Co. underway but will blog about that later. Right now I'm out the door, no socks today! So while one half of Mongrel Socks is knocking a little white

Phew!

2010-06-11T03:32:00.000-07:00

The photo's do not do justice to the terrifying spectical of brush fire (smoke) raging across our neighbours property, straight towards ours. I arrived home after our Friday afternoon posting, to see the hill we live on on fire. I'd only been out 20 minutes. Alerting my Mr Mongrel Socks, who was inside doing paperwork. unaware. In minutes I had called 000 (twice) as he set off in to the smoke and

My Afternoon!

2010-06-11T00:53:00.000-07:00

Cold snap.

2010-06-10T21:55:00.000-07:00

Well winter's kicked in and and business couldn't be better. A bit of snow on the mountain always helps. We have been blown away by the amount of orders coming and going. Head's down and backsides up getting it all done. Here it is nearly 3pm Friday arvo, we're packed and ready for Salamanca Market tomorrow. With a frigid 10 degrees C forecast for tomorrow, we're thinking it will be a big day for

Who's a happy boy then?

2010-06-08T01:27:00.000-07:00

Ardie, our Mongrel Socks No. 1 shed dog, got lucky today. He had an early morning visit from his little mate Mazzy and her big sister Ruby. Play time! It was one flat out hour for Ardie, he made up for it spending the rest of the day sleeping.

The day has come.

2010-06-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

Meet me at Mikes envelope watchamecallit will be a bit of fun over the next few weeks. Rather timely while we continue to sort our NQR Mongrel socks and sock waste I haven't been able to part with, knowing it will be good for something...someday...

Salamanca Market

2010-06-06T00:11:00.000-07:00

Red Bunny Says popped up near Mongrel Socks at Salamanca Market yesterday, as they have a habit of doing when you least expect it. It was a cold wintery day in Hobart yesterday (and worse today) with out the usual crowds, so stallholders like us had a bit of time to catch up on gossip and play. Red Bunny Say's Trish was caught on camera sharing a coffee with her new beau. So we thought we'd share

It's not spring but....

2010-06-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

It's spring clean up time at Mongrel Socks. Being a recycling tragic, I am forever hanging on to stuff that would be best out of my hands, and workshop. We re-use most of our packaging waste, sending off to the recyclers the rest, but......what I do have obscene amounts of is not quite right socks (NQR). Unfortunately, it is a reality in our business. We are very careful with quality control so

Who needs signs?

2010-06-03T04:39:00.000-07:00

This view awaits visitors to the Mongrel Socks shed. They don't need a GPS to tell them they've arrived that's for sure.

The night was dark and stormy......

2010-06-01T00:50:00.000-07:00

What an amazing way to end the day. This is the view from the Mongrel Sock sweat shop, we are so lucky. Those far away blue sky summer days are all well and good, but wow, if this is winter bring it on.

The odd Mongrel.

2010-05-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

It's a hard life at the home of Mongrel Socks. After a big day in the sweat shop, Ardie the shed dog, isn't the only mongrel taking time out. He's found a great spot to catch 40 winks. Here at the house of the sock, odd socks are the go. One little chore at our house that doesn't get done - pairing socks. The only socks we wear are pure wool Mongrel Socks (no surprise there), so whatever the

A small win.

2010-05-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

In the course of Mongrel Sock business, I've had to get right out of my comfort zone and get computer savvy. With out any formal (or informal) computer training, my online and e-tech skills have been learnt on the run. Putting out fires rather than building them. My teenager has been my IT guru, setting me straight many many times, or rather fixing my muck ups for me. For which I am very grateful

This isn't funny but.....#5 of 101 things to do with old socks

2010-05-18T05:57:00.000-07:00

Or is it #6? The headline below caught my eye. Ohio Woman Fends Off Armed Attacker With a Sock and a Can of PeasI really don't like violence, but this lady is ingenious. Can you believe she actually had it handy? Only in America, eh? I'm now keeping one under the bed. Here's a link to the story. It is quite

Spam or is it?

2010-05-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

With winter here we've been flat out making socks. As usual our customers are often a source of delight. There are some great people out there. Business through our new website has been very encouraging, but there is a down side - we are getting a lot more spam and unwelcome emails. Yin/yang, I guess. Some have a certain quality about them. Here's a couple I have received lately, as they came....

It's been so long!

2010-05-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I sat down to update this blog. Here at the house of the Mongrel Socks - we've had our heads down, busy socking it. Winter is nearly upon us. A busy time coming up. Plenty of distractions too - Last night I left my comfort zone. I had to address the Hobart City Council Aldermen. Public speaking is so not my thing. I was quite frankly "packing it". I'm very passionate about

Treading the Boards!

2010-04-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

I spotted this shot on The Sydney Theatre Company website - Yup! Those there are our Pure Wool Mongrel Socks keeping the actors warm. We're feeling almost famous.

Feeling the Love!

2010-04-12T00:25:00.000-07:00

We've had a crazy week, bumps and troughs, ups and downs - the lot. Not boring that's for sure. I won't go in to the downs now - no need to re-live it. But the UPS! Yee Ha! We've been really pushing for international sales over the last year - a hard sell in the post GFC market place. There has been progress in this area now - not sown up yet - but looking good. We have also been blessed with the

Our lovely customers!

2010-04-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

I received this email over the weekend - we are so blessed. Hi guys, i just wanted to let you know how much i love my mongrel socks. I had had to travel to Tassie for work and got off the freeway to find a service station so i could fill the little rental car up. And there were the funkiest looking socks i had ever seen. How could i resist buying them. My sons girlfriend worked in a male

#4 made!

2010-04-02T03:02:00.000-07:00

Yee ha! #4 in 101 uses for old socks is wrist warmers. I haven't had my act together enough to photograph them but will do asap. It wasn't hard to find #4 I've been making and wearing them for many years. Already one of my favorite things, together with the longer pure wool arm/leg warmers we make. Any day we'll have our new supplies of pure cotton space dyed knee high and crew length socks.

Looking for #3- Ummmm

2010-03-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

My mind has been flat out thinking of what can be done with old socks. Looking for #3 of "101uses for old, shoddy or lonely socks.". I found #4 to 24ish. Now I just need to find the time to make/do each idea. I've got the whole Mongrel Sock team on the job, but it won't be as easy as I first thought. Some of the great things you can do with old socks are in reality very time consuming, although

Corporate flowers or #2 of "101 things to do with old socks."

2010-03-23T04:49:00.000-07:00

Obviously far too much time on my hands! I played for a bit. Using some old Mongrel Socks we make to pretty up some boring old jars, and bottles. I was a flower lady in my pre-sock lady life, old habits die hard. I just love some of the colours we make our pure wool Mongrel Socks in. Always looking for ways to recycle them, once they're done their sock dash, and their mate's long gone, or it's

Mongrel Lover

2010-03-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Our little Mongrel Ardie has been getting some extra special attention from his little mate Emma. At the house of Mongrel Socks all creatures great and small are much appreciated. We love living and working in the bush, always a surprise at who's come to visit. Our only domesticated animal is Ardie. Actually named intitial's R.D. short for "ranga dog". He's great company in the shed, and he just

This blog has moved

2010-03-14T16:13:00.001-07:00

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Socks is my life!

2010-03-02T22:08:00.000-08:00

Wow, its been two months since I last blogged. I can't imagine why it's slipped my mind. Well.....actually I can! We hit the ground running this year and have been busy in the sock workshop ever since. The weather has been perfect here in Tassie, all the better for drying the socks. We have been taking advantage of the long, warm summer days (knowing that nothing is surer that the short, cold

Who needs fireworks

2010-01-01T03:14:00.000-08:00

Hobart saw in the new year in spectacular style. Mother Nature has out done the fireworks us mere humans have offered up, without the outrageous cost both $$$ and on the environment. Here's a photo I grabbed off the local news. Bloody brilliant!

Socks with wings

2009-12-29T18:37:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted. Busy not blogging, but flat out with the Xmas rush of orders. Mongrel Socks have been winging their way around the world this Christmas. All the while we have been busy producing, a few new colours and many more repeats of the old favourite mixes. The weather has been great here, many a good drying day. Here are a couple of the new colours

Lap Dog

2009-11-26T01:33:00.000-08:00

Putting my feet up last night, up on my lap jumped the little mongrel Ardie. Busily navel gazing, I noticed Ardies little feet, mine dressed in our pure wool Mongrel Socks and there were Kate Moss's nude toes too. Yep, right there in my lounge room. Actually Kate's always hangin' out there in the bean bag. My little darling works for a great recycling company Haul and she gave me a bean bag made

YouTube wow!

2009-11-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

I have just seen the latest and last Mongrel Sock Machine Video Wow! We are blessed to know a budding film maker, who has so kindly made 3 short films featuring our Mongrel Socks one way or another. We've been building our new website for (it seems like forever), and that's the royal "we" because I am personally so IT illiterate. I think we go live this week. Yee ha! As a part of our online line

Fearless Mongrels!

2009-11-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

I was sent this photo from a customer travelling through Pakistan, on the Karakoram Highway which stretches 700 kilometers from Islamabad, through the Karakoram mountains and into China. The photo was taken in the Gilgit region, although it's a bit hard to tell. It must take a large degree of fearlessness to head in to Northern Pakistan given today's unstable climate. High in the Karakorum

Sweating in the workshop

2009-11-10T02:45:00.000-08:00

Yay, summer is here! We've been enjoying some beautiful weather, all the better for drying our Pure Wool Mongrel Socks. The warmer weather has not only lifted our spirits, it has brought it has got all the wildlife, who call our place home, out and on the move. Nothing is quite so nice as mosying down to the workshop and nodding a good morning to Mr Echidna who's also out for a stroll, and

On the catwalk! - Cyber Glitch !

2009-10-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

Mongrel Socks strut on the catwalk, along with all things wool, part of a great day in the bush at Woodsdale, Tasmania. Sheep shearing demos, the opening of the new community museum, good food and company, plenty of laughs all round especially when one of the boy's walked the boards with only one sock one, guess where the other one went? Who ever said size doesn't matter, didn't get around to

Shipping?

2009-10-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

Burning the midnight oil, endeavoring to get a handle on our new websites shipping/postal logic. It's so hard. We really want to keep it simple but simple isn't always reflective of real cost's. So scratching my head big-time. It would be so much better if my socks were as light as a feather. Argh! They're not, my Mongrel Socks are quite simply substantial, and to wing them around the world takes

Little Mongrel

2009-10-25T03:44:00.000-07:00

Oh my god! I've had a win. It's girl over the machine. I can't believe that I have managed to upload a photo! Image upload has not worked for months on our blog. Yee Ha! And what a nice photo it's chosen. Our little mongrel Ardie. Much loved at the home of Mongrel Socks - but looking like he'd rather be out chasing grasshoppers than having a pat. It's a hard life, but some ones got to do it.

MONGREL SOCKS DOING THE RIGHT THING

2009-10-24T21:31:00.001-07:00

In our own small way we endeavor to do the right thing environmentally and ethically. We source the majority of our yarn from Schoeller Spinning Group. Thier 20.5 micron Superwash Zefir is 2nd to none when it comes to quality and consistancy. The Climawool* they produce in the best we have found for replicating the qualities of Pure Wool but also adding a lightness and longevity making this a

Milestone

2009-09-30T00:43:00.000-07:00

Apart from making a living, loving the Mongel sock making process, over the years we've brought up a beautiful daughter. And today as a mum I feel like I've hit a milestone. My last day tuckshop duty, ever! I don't know that I'll miss the sandwich making, but I sure will miss "in-school" goss, and news. It has been a wonderful parenting tool for me. It enabled me to meet the kids, teachers and

Head Warmer weather

2009-09-27T03:18:00.000-07:00

Just loving the all the new colours in our Mongrel Tasmanis pure wool Head Warmer range, in the Arm/Leg Warmers as well. They've been getting a good reception at Salamanca Market, where we do all our market research, our customers down there have never lead us astray. You can always count on Tasmanians to be honest with their face to face feedback. Good or bad they're happy to let us know exactly

Head Warmer

2009-09-27T03:06:00.001-07:00

Killer video

2009-09-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

We feeling very lucky here at the house of Mongrel Socks. We've just finished viewing the latest Killertoothbrush mongrel video. I can't wipe the smile off my face. It's a beauty!!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XZKd5Ha7Xw

Busy not blogging

2009-09-14T00:55:00.000-07:00

Busy times here at Mongrel Socks. Just sorted most of our new web site shots, and all the other web stuff. Here's a couple of links to some cool very Mongrel Sock stuff.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWuibdp7EIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghxdtUBmGMg

New Colours

2009-08-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

Finally we have just taken delivery of some new wool supplies. Lucky for us with this delivery we were able to secure (long story) some 18 micron superwash pure wool merino. We usually go with 20.5 micron superwash as any smaller micron counts are hard to find and outrageously expensive. So as a result of the global financial crises, some else's loss is our gain. The colours are great, just what

Golden customers

2009-07-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon another blogger who mentioned us - Mongrel Socks - in their blog, it touched our hearts. Even more so when when I read the comments left by others. We hear great mongrel sock stories from customers but when I read the comment that someones mother loved our socks so much she was buried in them, it made hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I've always known I'll head to the other

Exciting times

2009-07-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

It's all happening at the home of Mongrel Socks. We are the happy recipients of a TCF grant help to renew our website and improve online business practices. There's a whole raft of new products to get up and out on the new site and much work to be done to make all this happen. We are thrilled to have the help of a business professional, we could never normally afford. It is a real learning curve