I'm back again after being away for a LONG time. I don't know, I TRY to get on here, but first I have to stitch this one corner in the project I'm working on, or knit up that one heel flap, teach the kids, do the laundry, be 'moms taxi service', and the local lost and found for dh (we have a washing machine that always eats one sock from every pair you see). And I just never seem to find the time to be here as much as I want to! So for now I'll just say hi to everyone and lurk as I play catch-up on all the messages I've been missing. :)
Gill Murray ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with
If the morphing sock is now a coathanger, like all good metal coathangers, it is in the closet mating so that it creates a tangled mess of coathangers !
You're right. I had always attributed missing socks to the fact that DH usually did the laundry (the only chore that he WOULD do without months of nagging required, since he needed clean uniforms for work). All his socks looked alike, so how could you tell if one went missing?
One day I showed him the trick of rotating the dryer drum manually so that anything you hadn't gotten out would fall down, and he'd never seen that trick before. Being lazy, I really doubt that he actually made the effort to double-check.
But after moving in here, where we're the only people who use the dryer, socks are still going missing.
At summer camp, we would issue all the kids large safety pins - like diaper pins, and have them run through the top of each sock - maybe 6 on a pin. The only way to deal with all those tons of white athletic socks. Just through 1 side of the cuff. Really helps to spoil the sock dating service.
I should do that! for a while I was putting all the "hockey socks" (socks meant for under skates, not the other kind of hockey socks which are more akin to a pair of leg warmers) in a lingerie bag, but that only works if I find the socks prior to doing laundry.
We use liner socks for under skates. Very thin, wicking material, keeps feet dry - not cheap, but they last. However, wash with no softener - like the underarmour. I buy them at REI or Hudson Trail.
Big hockey socks - those never get lost - well, hardly ever....
What I found are very like the liner socks, but for hikers also and really cheap at a discount house in "ladies small"! DS currently prefers a padded sole athletic sock, crew length. Now - I use dryer sheets (mostly to de-static) in all loads. I take it I should stop using them in the hockey load(s)?
BTW - do you or your DH use the underarmor pants? DS wants to try a pair, but the entry cost is high!
I've ended up with extras, been short one of a pair. For what ever reason, it is currently the fashion to wear unmatched socks and one should be dark and one bright. Boys, girls, don't matter. And the little ones have "sock tape" in all manner of designs. For play offs, the whole team are going to use "bio hazard" warning tape.
No softener in anything that has wicking properties. Things like dri-fit, cool-max, under armour. Even in liner socks that say they have the 2 layer or wicking properties. Reebok, Nike, Adidas, Underarmour, Patagonia - all make athletic/hiking gear that has the wicking properties (this includes long underwear) - and if it has any of those trade-marked type fibers/processes you don't use fabric softener with it. Even some of the mens wear with the stain repellent (I know DH's work trousers from Nordies that have the special anti-stain/perma press thing, and some of the Joseph Banks menswear as well).
Anyhow. All of that stuff has some process that fabric softeners will interfere with.
WRT Hockey stuff - all the poly type stuff (underarmour, etc) and most of the hockey gear do NOT get washed with fabric softener. Occasionally if I do a load of jerseys and outer socks, ref sweaters, separately - I'll throw a sheet in the dryer with those. But, hockey under stuff, and the elbow pads, liners from shin pads, or ref shin pads, hockey pants, player shoulder pads, ref pants (with built in pads) - no softener. DH also wears "athletic" boxer briefs under his player stuff - and those are just cotton so they go in the wash with heavy t-shirts, etc - if they get in the wash with all the gear and synthetic stuff it never gets dried.
DH likes the Underarmour Briefs - with the lightest possible compression - and wears those for playing goal, and for softball. Several guys we know have the long pants and wear them under gear, socks - but DH has truly large quads and glutes - and doesn't like a lot of compression on his legs. He does wear the non-compression leggings (well, we both do) for reffing. Usually I buy the Patagonia brand either silks (light weight) or the mid-weight capilene - get those in REI or Hudson Trail - meant for hikers. Work great - and come in ladies or mens. Also same with tops. But, I do use the light compression such sa underarmour for just going to skate. DH has some pairs of looser fitting UA or Nike - like high tech wind pants but better - to just go skate. I like the slight compression. And I'm okay with the stuff for under player gear.
So - we switched to using the wicking tops - Nike Drifit - when it came out
- maybe 98? Anyhow - love that for under any playing gear, and use the not tight, not real big sizes. I have some more UA in winter weight heavier tights as does DH - and we use those for reffin outdoor really cold rinks (under the gear). And DH really likes their longish athletic boxer briefs for playing goal and some other sports. Point blank - we make fun of one of the guys with the compression top and leggings - that have all the inset different fabbrics and call him "spidey" . But, he does like them - OTOH - said guy only skates 1 time a week, and we think he needs the extra support.
Only thing to remember with all this synthetic stuff - it holds the stench - so must, must be washed - not re-worn. Got to come out of gear bag and air somewhere til it hits the laundry.
I like the stuff for me, especially tops. But, I wouldn't buy a lot of it - I'd buy him one set and use that before buying more. Donna's daughter uses it for track clothes as well. We hit the UA outlet a couple of times - it's hit or miss - they are mostly retail, but stuff from last season (maybe a stripe changed or the like - or it's hot gear when you need the cold gear) can be found at times for a good bargain.
Umm - this has been the fashion amongst the want to show we're really "players" for eons. However, the alternate tape came into fashion about 5 years ago - we started seeing a bunch of USPS priority mail tape around here. Personally, I'd just use real hockey tape - it doesn't leave trace on your stuff.
The mis matched sock thing - most rules for unis state at least one sock has to be the correct one. But, going to districts or national tourneys - may actually have to be in the correct uniform. Personally - I'd rather have players in the right socks - it helps when you're playing as to what you see peripherally.
Dang - that stuff gets so static-y and shares it so well..... Won't use the sheets anymore. Never used the liquid.
OH YA!
Well, given the amount of ice DS sees (and he now has a goalie coach), we have 5 sets of "stay dry" tops and jersey knit pants for hockey use. He'd like to try a pair of looser wicking pants, but we've only spotted compression ones. DD has an adult small loose fit shirt now; the compression top was just too hard to wear. Monday sees a large hockey load.
Mismatched socks among the older kids (PeeWee and up) has been around for a while. The little kids are new to it! Seems like a way of showing off that you skate for other places too. The dark (like black, navy) and one really bright (pink, yellow) seems new.
For all the travel teams we're associated with, full uniform, including socks, is needed for league play. (Moaning, next year, DD will be required to have a white helmet and black pants and no personalization. Pants are no problem, but why white?)
Try going to the local REI or Hudson Trail or similar camping gear type store. DH really likes the Patagonia stuff - it's very nice, and slightly loose, definitely wicking. It comes in several weights, and we use either the lightest - silk weight or the mid-weight (Capilene). It works well, and is comfortable. Runs pretty true to size - maybe a bit generous - DH can do a L or XL - but I think usually gets the XL. Your DS should like it. DH wears them under goalie stuff at all times, and will wear them occasionally without team socks over. If he's doing skating instruction - he wears them under his USAH instructor suit.
Give 'em a try - and they're not outrageously expensive. He definitely always wears them, and the similar top - for goalie adventures.
Well, maybe they like having a different color helmet than everyone else - and things like that do help kids know who the heck is on their team on the ice -you'd be surprised. Be happy it's not red or blue. Helmet personalization - besides just a number - is generally pretty limited as they go up. And of course painting is forbidden (except for certified stuff on goalie masks) because it voids the HECC compliance.
Well, the closest places that sell Patagonia (according to their web site) are in Boston, MA or Freeport ME.
True - the shekels are up there though and he's got a back log!
Well, turns out at least three local schools are requiring white helmets and several booster clubs bought out the retailers. We've joined the Lancers Booster club.... And DD seems to be just like Dad and big brother and has a harder to fit head...... C
Send me info off-line - I can send you a set - I think they're somewhere between $25 & $35 - just don't remember. But, DH did just ask me to get him a couple of pairs - as there are lots of skate blade slits on a couple (yup - happens in the ref gear). If I'm getting for him, I can pick up a pair for your DS. Just need the waist & hips measurements - I'd imagine a L would be fine.
LOL - that's why there are several different styles. I used to have a CCM, and then switched to an I-Tech - it fits better. DH went form Cooper to CCM to Bauers. It's just what's comfortable. And has decent padding - DH got his head split open reffing some years back - wearing the standard CCM. The foam isn't continuous, and when he hit the ice the helmet flexed and he got the smack just between the foam pads. 8 staples on Halloween night.
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