Unique socks are knitted by... cycling

Souki Socks, a sock factory in Japan's Nara prefecture, has invented a machine that allows people to knit their own socks by pedaling on a stationary bicycle.

Unless you're a crocheter, knitting socks isn't exactly a pleasant experience. This is the reality that the brilliant minds of Souki Socks had to face when they set out to make sock making more fun.

Luckily, they've found an ingenious method that combines a mechanical sock knitting machine and a bicycle to allow virtually anyone to knit their socks by pedaling.

Dubbed 'Charix', the machine has been hugely popular with tourists since it was announced in 2017.

Sock knitting machines were popular in Japan in the 1990s, but as the hype surrounding the socks died down, factories stopped making them and they became relic of a bygone era.

However, Souki Socks has given new life to these machines by lifting them onto stationary bikes and allowing factory visitors to knit their own socks.

The socks are knitted by cycling.

Before starting to pedal, factory visitors choose the size of their socks as well as the color of the thread they want to use.

Making a pair of socks is said to take about 10 minutes, just enough to keep things from becoming boring.

Once you've finished pedaling, the staff will sew your toes and finish stitching where the sock is knitted so you can take them home.

Since sock knitting machines are no longer manufactured, whenever a part fails, Souki Socks has to make it to order to keep their Charix project afloat, but the public interest. for it makes it all worthwhile.

In fact, demand for knitted spring socks has grown so much that Souki recently launched a new option for customers.

With the Covid-19 pandemic making it impossible for people to travel as much as they used to, many people didn't have the opportunity to visit the factory and knit their own socks, so Souki decided to have someone else knit them. customer.

Charix Online allows customers to choose a sock size and 3 colors from just 36, before assigning a cyclist from the Souki Socks staff list.

The process of knitting socks is then posted on social networks as evidence. The price of a pair of socks through Charix Online is 2200 yen ($18.50).

So, if you're in Hikiso, Nara Prefecture and want to experience cycling as a way to knit your own socks, don't hesitate to head to Souki Socks.