With Names You Can Trust, These Socks Go to Work

You know what they say, the best way to pay tribute to someone is to name a sock after them. That’s why, when it came to naming our Work socks, it felt only right to name them after those who know a thing or two, because they’ve experienced a thing or two, about what it means to put work in.

Mollie Beattie

To simply say Mollie was a forester would not do justice to all that Mollie was. Yes, Mollie was a forester by training,earning her Master’s in Forestry from the University of Vermont. But what Mollie was, was a trailblazer.

She entered what was at the time a male-dominated culture, cracking the gender barrier that held the profession. She worked for state agencies and conservation organizations in Vermont, and eventually became the first female Vermont Commissioner of forests, parks and recreation. She continued her work in Washington where she was the first woman to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Mollie’s work crafted a better vision for the future as it related to environmental issues, but also, for women. Knitting a sock that embodies, well, we can only hope that when you put it on, you feel comfort to know that you too, can blaze new trails, no matter how much lies ahead.

The Sock: Mollie Beattie Micro Crew Work Socks

Mary Fields

Known as "Stagecoach Mary" she was the first African American woman to work for the U.S. Postal Service — serving in the Montana Rockies, no less.

Mary faced everything from unforgiving weather, to less than ideal road conditions (roads that would give Vermont potholes a run for their money), to having defend herself from the occasional wolf or bandit.

Receiving more snow per year than any other state, Postal Carriers in Vermont can respect Mary’s route in the midst of winter. But having to fend off wolves? That’s what makes Mary an absolute legend.

We like to imagine these midweight, full cushion, over-the-calf socks as Mary’s choice when the snow got too deep, and she switched from delivering via stagecoach to snowshoes.

The Sock: Mary Fields Over-the-Calf Work Socks

RTR

Bandanas get all the glory while socks do all the work. Suppose that's how women might have felt during WWII.

This sock was named after Rosie the Riveter, who stood as a symbol for women in the workforce and their independence during the 1940s. Women began to take role in lumber and steel mills and other physical labor jobs that had previously been held by men. An awakening of sorts, this led to woman making strong advances towards equal rights.

For all our Rosies out there, a sock worthy to be your companion for whatever challenge you choose to take on. 

The Sock: RTR Boot Work Socks

Emma Claire

A modern muse(s). Hard work is hard work but when that work is done for hours on a commercial fishing rig in the middle on the Alaskan Wilderness… well work like that might just inspire us to make a sock for you and named after you.

Emma and Claire, better known as the Salmon Sisters, are active stewards of sustainable fishing and their community. The sisters have been working on commercial fishing boats in their hometown of Homer, Alaska, since they were young.

On their feet, day in and day out, trusting their feet to keep up with their sea legs, stuffed inside rubber boots all day, they needed a sock that could stand up to a 20+ hour fishing days, while keeping their feet warm and maintaining a slimmer fit.

Designing a sock for these two women who have mutual values and run their own business built on them, well that just seemed like the perfect match. Making it a Work sock, well that was a no brainer.

The Sock: Emma Claire Work Socks

Stanley K

Neighbors helping neighbors. That’s what the Stanley K stands for. Where the rest of the nation had Mr. Rodgers, Emma and Claire had Stanley K.

When their family first moved to their Alaskan homestead, everything was new to them. Stanley was an old timer in their village and took them under his wing. His skiff was a welcome sight; upon it he brought his wealth of knowledge, everything from his best fishing tips to local sweets he picked up in the village. He shared what he could and has been a part of the girls’ earliest memories. Instilling in them what it means to give a helping hand, a hero to their family.

They since returned the favor, caring for Stanley as he grew older and even naming their boat after him. While you don’t see all that many skiffs in Vermont, you do see community members coming together to support each other. A value that we are built upon, naming this sock after a man that embodies that is our reminder to always remain true to that.

The Sock: Stanley K Work Socks

Fred Tuttle

Fred Tuttle leaves behind a legacy as a dairy farmer, a politician, and an actor. A big resume for someone from little old Vermont.

Spending his early life working in a barn, he then went to work trying to represent the people of Vermont in the House. The end of his career can be found on IMDB.

Because “work” can mean many different things, this sock has versatility. From the barn, to the House, to the big screen, a sock meant to keep up with an ever-changing career. 

The Sock: Fred Tuttle Micro Crew Work Socks

John Henry

First songs were written, then we knit a sock.

While the details on Henry’s life may have been embellished over the years, legend has it he was a steel-driver who worked on the railroad, who’s prowess was measured in a race against a steam-powered rock drilling machine. And yeah, he won.

What’s not embellished, is the intense labor, long hours, and danger that faced mainly African American railroad workers. John Henry serves as a symbol for all those who sweated in the heat of the summer, and froze in the cold of the winter, as they worked to connect Virginia to Ohio. Under conditions like those, making a sock that’s fit for John Henry, that’s saying a lot.

The Sock: John Henry Boot Work Socks

Paul Bunyan

Tall socks for a tall-tale guy. Known as a giant lumberjack whose exploits revolve around his superhuman labors, and usually take place in the perils of winter.

A logger with unmatched strength and unrivaled skill would most likely be wearing Darn Tough socks. Wonder if we can write that into the folklore.

The Sock: Paul Bunyan Over-the-Calf Work Socks

William Jarvis

This guy, heart eyes. He introduced Merino Sheep to the United States from Spain, more specifically, he brought them to Vermont, which basically makes him our hero.

Jarvis was also known for his largesse, helping Vermont farmers when they were experiencing hard times in the late 1840s. Giving back to the community that gave to him, with Merino Wool no less, yeah, we can relate to a business model like that.

The Sock: William Jarvis Boot Work Socks

Socks That Go to Work

The socks in our Work line are the kind of socks that would roll up their sleeves and get down to business, regardless of weather conditions. The kind of socks you want on your crew because they work round the clock and won’t punch out until the work is done, and then some.

You can learn more about how to choose the right socks for work here.