You can use the search field in the upper left of any page in the journal area to find posts talking about what you’re looking for. It goes waaaaaaay back, there’s some fun old stuff in there.

And you can never go wrong with a gentle handwash.

I knit too, and while I generally take better care of the socks I knit, there are certain coveted/expensive styles that I’d be a bit heartbroken over shrinking. Usually I’m lazy so I machine wash most of my socks on cold, and even tumble dry some of the ones that aren’t as precious to me. It just doesn’t work for everything. The friction of the washer alone can definitely wear your socks out faster, and can pull threads to the outside of socks with more complicated patterns where the yarn wasn’t carried over in back.

I say better safe than sorry!

I handknit socks and own an antique circular sock knitting machine (and STILL order from y’all) and just pay attention to the content of the socks. Even 100% wool, if it’s superwash wool, can be laundered with your other delicates. I throw them in the front loader with similar colors, and use a nice wool soap that I use for all of my knitted things.

I generally pick them out and let them air dry, while everything else goes in the dryer (mostly because it’s the abrasion that kills most socks).

(this one is sold at knitpicks but you can get other places too.)

Knitters often use them to display socks, but they’re good for shaping socks and can be hung up to dry.