Staff Picks: Mushroom Socks Are for the Weekend

When the weekend rolls around, our Mill doesn’t go quiet — it just gets wilder. The folks who keep Darn Tough running seven days a week prefer it that way. And when they’re not working, their off-hours are just as well spent.

From mountain peaks to pixelated adventures, from cocoa by the fire to iced lattes in bed — these are the socks (and stories) of our Weekend Warriors.

Valerie C.

Position: Finishing Team Member – 2 Years

Valerie's Pick: Women's Mellow Mushrooms Micro Crew

A mother of four with miles of adventure beneath her feet, Valerie’s been just about everywhere — Georgia, Colorado Springs, Australia, Hawaii — but now calls Vermont home.

Her favorite sock, the Women’s Mellow Mushrooms, is soft, cushioned, and sprouting with fungi — or better yet, fungal. It’s her go-to for lounging with a mug of cocoa after a day spent snowboarding, skiing, or sledding with her crew.

For Valerie, the best part about working at Darn Tough is simple: the community. “It’s one big family,” she says — and we’d bet her kids agree.

Rachael C.

Position: Production Specialist – 1 Year

Rachael's Pick: Men’s Wild Life Crew

Rachael knows how to balance things — machines, schedules, even handstands. Her sock pick, the Men’s Wild Life, features a frog and alligator (frogalligator) design that she loves for its breathability and gift-worthy charm.

A former gymnastics coach who’s taught everyone from toddlers to young adults, Rachael now channels that same energy into keeping the Mill running smoothly. Outside of work, she’s hiking New Hampshire’s 48 peaks with her dog, Fern, or getting lost in books like The Night Circus.

Her take on weekend shifts? “It’s quieter, no IT support—but that just means we problem-solve together.”

Ashley R.

Position: Manufacturing Operator – 1 Year

Ashley's Pick: Women's Critter Club Micro Crew

Born and raised in Barre, VT, Ashley keeps it real. A former residential cook with a soft spot for pierogis and Shake ’n Bake chicken, she’s as resourceful as they come. Case in point: when we didn’t have a sample pair on hand for photos, she took her own sock off her foot and kept rolling.

Her pick — the Critter Club, featuring the mountain goat — is her favorite for its “rad design, wordplay, and color.” Off the clock, Ashley’s either gaming or kicking back with an iced latte or Mountain Dew.

“It’s hard work,” she admits, “but it’s always a weekend well spent.”

Isaac E.

Position: Knitting Operator – 1 Year

Isaac's Pick: Men's Spaced Out Micro Crew

Isaac’s 20, spry, and has the kind of curiosity that makes you believe aliens might be real. Originally from Middlesex, VT, he grew up exploring the woods and making pit stops at Red Hen Bakery.

His favorite sock, Spaced Out, speaks to his fascination with life beyond Earth (he may or may not have been abducted once — or so he says). “UFOs? More like Unidentified Foot Objects,” he jokes.

When he’s not knitting or building timber-frame homes, you’ll find him online, hammering away on Call of Duty. Isaac’s proof that weekend shifts don’t slow you down — they just keep you grounded (and maybe a little extraterrestrial).

DeeDee G.

Position: Knitter – 8 Months

DeeDee's Pick: Women's Shroom Bloom Crew

DeeDee’s got style that stops traffic on the knitting floor. On the day we caught up with her, she was rocking a custom two-tone Melanzana micro-grid vest and a hand-crocheted mushroom chapstick holder clipped to her belt.

Born in Israel then raised in Colorado’s high-altitude town of Leadville, she knows how to chase both snow and good design. Her favorite sock, the Shroom Bloom, is adored for its color and comfort — two things she brings to every shift.

“The people here make the weekends fly by,” she says. And she’s right — the energy DeeDee brings to Darn Tough is straight-up contagious.

Danielle H.

Position: Knitter – 13 Months

Danielle's Pick: Women's Fruit Stand Shorty

If there were a pedometer award at Darn Tough, Danielle would win it hands (and feet) down. Working the knitting floor means thousands of steps — she’s basically training for a marathon every day.

Originally from Springfield, MA, Danielle spent eight years in hospitality before swapping resort guests for tough socks. Her pick, the Fruit Stand Shorty, is breathable, bright, and, in her words, “perfect for work.” She even has matching PJs. (Her boyfriend DJ, who also works at the Mill, may or may not have been talked into matching outfits the day we stopped by.)

Off the clock, Danielle’s hiking or by the water — proving that weekend warriors aren’t just made, they’re in it to win knit.