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Janet Tells Fellow Students To Put A Sock In It
Janet Coleman with one of her vintage sock machines (opens in new window)
Students complaining about the financial pressures they are under should consider taking a leaf out of Janet Coleman’s book and pull their socks up. For this mature, first-year, SAC Applied Animal Science student additional funding has involved a feet first jump into business with Sox-4-U.
The idea for Janet’s venture stems from the wonderful collection of working antique sock knitting machines she has collected and restored. Originally she tried to use her first ever machine to add value to the brown/black fleeces from her flock of Black Welsh Mountain sheep. It proved a non-starter as the spinners couldn’t produce sufficiently fine yarn. However she did manage socks from her small Wensleydale flock and, as the collection of machines grew, so did her mastery of the skills required.
Janet’s increased proficiency and the advent of the modern printed yarns means she can make a huge variety of highly individual and unique socks easily and quickly. The yarns used contain a high percentage (75%) of natural fibre like wool. It makes them cool in summer and warm in winter, leading to happier and more comfortable feet! However it is labour-intensive, each sock has to be hand-cranked and finished. Even the toes are hand-grafted to ensure a completely seam-free article.
Balancing her studies and the time required to build up merchandise and launch her business has not been easy, but Janet Coleman feels that her Applied Animal Science course must take priority. It is, after all, the reason for her knitting enterprise. Janet will soon complete year one of her degree showing how determination and commitment can lead to unusual and exciting new paths.
Janet launched her latest range at the Ayr Show. She has developed a suitable ‘top’ for a long sock which makes a useful shooting or kilt wear. Her next project will be the fully diced or ‘tartan’ hose commonly used by pipe bands and highland dancers. It is all helping her gain a Sox-4-U foot on the business ladder.