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

*New! Snuggly kneehigh/long 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 Gotland design shows Gotland Russ horses galloping with their herd on Lojsta Moor and is dyed in traditional colours. This pattern is also available in cosy mittens. See below to read the Gotland 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: Gotland Brown, Gotland Chalk

One size: EU38/41

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 Gotland pattern: Gotland has been home to wild horses since ancient times. The Gotland Russ is one of Sweden’s oldest pony breeds and the country’s only native horse. They still live free on Lojsta Moor.

The history of the Gotland Russ is both mythical and fascinating. Findings from the Stone Age show that ponies have existed on Gotland for over 5,000 years. Thanks to the dedication of the local population, the Russ continue to live as they have for millennia, roaming the forested moors of Gotland.

In the words of designer Åse Öjbro, founder of Öjbro Vantfabrik: "With this pattern, I wanted to capture the feeling of fellowship with horses and our shared history—our beloved, strong, and hardy Gotland Russ. Gotlanders call them "skogsbaggar." I visited Gotland as a child and still remember the awe-inspiring Russ and the stories of their long history. Today, one herd remains on Lojsta Moor, a 650-hectare area where the Russ live year-round in the open."