Art of ‘cranking’ a global feat
Hokitika on the West Coast lays claim to the ‘‘world’s greatest sock store’’, and possibly the world’s only museum of sock knitting machines.
Where/what is it?
You’ll spot the fabulous Las Vegasstyle sign from a mile away.
It welcomes you and declares you are about to step through the doors of the greatest sock store, in its unlikely location at 27 Sewell St, Hokitika.
Sock World owner Jacquie Grant reckons her sign is probably one of the most-photographed things in the town, after the historic clock tower and equal with the iconic driftwood letters that spell out ‘‘Hokitika’’ on the beach.
‘‘We watch them standing out there all day taking photos of the sign,’’ Grant says. ‘‘I’ve never paid for any advertising.’’
The store has been going for 12 years, but Grant got into sock knitting about 30 years ago. She became interested in the machines when an elderly couple from Timaru gave her three of them, each more than 100 years old, which had been languishing in their basement for decades.
Grant caught the collecting bug and started buying more old machines. She found new parts and fixed them up, and even started manufacturing her own machines, which she ships all over the world. Sock knitting grew from a hobby to more of a moneymaker than her actual job.
‘‘It gradually evolved into, ‘I’ll have to have a shop because there’s no place to put this stuff’.’’ With that, Sock World Hokitika was born.
Why go?
Well, there’s definitely no place quite like it in New Zealand. ‘‘Nowhere in the world, probably,’’ says Grant.
Her biggest fans are American enthusiasts. ‘‘They fly from the US especially to see this.’’
Even if you have never ‘‘cranked’’ (that’s the word for making socks, by the way) in your life, it’s still easy to appreciate the craftsmanship and history contained within Sock World.
There’s about 100 machines on the shop floor, including an antique collection – ‘‘probably a million bucks’ worth’’, Grant estimates. Some of the machines are so rare they are probably the only ones in the world. The oldest one was made in 1803.
Another reason to visit Sock World is that you’ll probably get to meet Grant, the self-described ‘‘guru’’ of sock knitting. ‘‘I’m legendary for being grumpy but they love that. They can listen to me cursing and swearing and yelling at machines.’’
Insider tip
The best thing about Hokitika is that there are plenty of things to do and see that don’t cost a thing, Grant says.
‘‘You can go to watch the copper artist guy, you can watch glass blowing, you can watch socks being made, jade carvers . . . . ’’
On the way/near by
Make sure to stop at Hokitika Gorge, a scenic reserve, 33km from Hokitika. Cross a swing bridge into a fairy grove of surreal turquoise waters and lush green native ferns.
Head to Hokitika Beach for a photo with the iconic driftwood sign. Every January, the annual Driftwood and Sand Beach Sculpture Festival invites local and international artists to create sculptures from whatever they can find on the beach.
Experience the history of the 1860s gold rush with a visit to Hokitika Museum, or try your luck panning at the nearby historic goldfields of Ross and Goldsborough.
How much?
Having a nosy around Sock World is free, but if you want to take a pair home they’re priced from $10 to $50.
Best time to go
Time your visit so you can catch the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival – next year it’s on March 11. – Siobhan Downes