MEET THE COLLECTOR
KAREN ROGERS, STOCKING STRETCHERS
What I collect: Used domestically in Europe and America during the first half of the 20th century, the purpose of the stocking stretcher was to stretch out 100 per cent woollen socks during drying to avoid shrinkage and shape loss. Stretchers were commonly made from wood, often with holes to allow air to circulate. They were also made in metal and wire. Typically, ‘legs’ wearing woollen socks and stockings would be propped up by kitchen ranges and firesides or hung on washing lines to dry. My examples were made around 1900.
Why I collect: I started my collection by accident;
I bought a couple of pairs to sell through my business (karenlesleyvintageinteriors.com) and at fairs over the Christmas period and decided I rather liked them – their quirkiness really appealed to me. I seem to have since developed a ‘thing’ for hands and feet-shaped objects and also collect glove stretchers and children’s shoe lasts.
How I collect: I buy them as and when I see them; a few turn up at antique fairs but as they were mainly used in the USA, they are not something one sees a lot. Legs are often sold individually at around £25 each but one could pay up to £100 for a nice pair with labels or maker marks. I’m quite picky about the ones I buy and avoid anything too new. I currently have eight pairs in my collection.
My collection highlight: The first pair I ever bought is a French children’s pair from around WWI – these are my favourite shaped ones. I have adapted the pattern into four different sizes and hand-make stockings in vintage linen for Christmas every year. I also really like a pair of rare French metal legs; I’ve never seen anything like them before.