Jacquard Knit Socks - Merino Wool - Ekshärad (Adults 38-45)

*New! Snuggly Merino wool socks for winter, knitted in patterns inspired by traditional Swedish motifs.

Gorgeous fine merino socks made in Sweden by Öjbro Vantfabrik. Knit with reinforced heel & toe for extra strength, and dyed in subtle natural colours. Wonderfully cosy for home, work, or out and about.

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 kneehigh 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

Sizes: EU38/41, EU42/45

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: Italy
Country of manufacture: Sweden
Fabric structure: Knitted from Merino wool with Lycra, reinforced in toe and heel with Polyamide (80% Merino - mulesing free, 5% Lycra, 15% 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.