The Alternate Stitch

It’s people like Kate who remind us why we have the best customers on the planet. And while you might not have her artistic chops, just know there's plenty of room on our fridge for your note.

Together, we all win. And together, we’re creating something that people are passionate about. We don’t have a great story; we are a great story. It’s more than just about knitting socks or making a living. The responsibility of Darn Tough stretches across multiple disciplines.

We knit socks designed to take your feet out your front door and onto less traveled roads… although they're equally good for couch surfing. As a Vermont-based company, it’s safe to say we know New England best. So, if you’re planning a 2025 trip to the Northeast, here’s some places (and socks) we recommend.

If anyone’s qualified to convince you that buying a pair of Darn Tough socks is a good (nay, great) idea, it’s our Customer Service team. Not only do they answer the call, but their sock picks do, too. Curated by our all-star team of sock-talkers, this round of Staff Picks is dedicated to the friendly folks behind the phone.

Here at Darn Tough, we have an adage, “You don’t outsource for quality.” While typically we are referring to the socks we make, this statement rings true in all areas of our business, especially in regard to our Customer Service Team.

We get asked a lot about Mill tours. We don't currently have them, but if you've ever wondered who makes Darn Tough socks and what our process is, we did want to give you an inside look.

Do you remember Bigfoot aka Sasquatch? They have been spotted in the Green Mountain State. Hearing about this legendary American cryptid made me think of a question. If Bigfoot bought a pair of Darn Tough socks, which ones would they choose?

There's a handful of people still here who witnessed the birth of Darn Tough all those years ago, people here from day one that are still coming into work day-in and day-out. Of those people, no one has been here longer than Laura.

Let’s face it… we knit a flock ton of socks. And some of our “best” pairs don’t always make it as best sellers. For this round of Staff Picks, we asked our employees which pairs they think don’t get enough attention, and more importantly, why they think they should.

I’m a birder, and you can often find me walking around Montpelier, VT, with a pair of binoculars around my neck looking into the North Branch Winooski River or up in the trees for birds and wildlife. I also design Darn Tough socks. 

For the past 4 years, a small group of volunteers and myself have been fundraising, strategizing, and jumping through all the necessary hoops in order to be granted the space to construct a state-of-the-art concrete skatepark at Hope Davey Park in Waterbury Center, VT.

People often ask me how I got my trail name, Sir Owen VanGrizzle, Duke of Beartown. It all happened at the Stratton Pond Shelter on the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail in southern Vermont, waaaay back when my best friend Ben and I hiked the Long Trail for our first time in 2010.

Inspired by the International Mountain Day theme, "Women Move Mountains," we proudly present the Darn Tough ‘Trailblazer’ sock. This design honors the incredible women who have played vital roles in the protection and stewardship of our mother earth, past and present.

We spoke to three long-time employees who’ve been with us for all 20+ years of Darn Tough’s history. We asked them what life was like before Darn Tough, what’s kept them here, and why they’ve always believed in the brand.

Hello — This is Kate Crocker, the Product Development Manager at Darn Tough Vermont. I have been working for this amazing brand for 5 years and counting, as of writing this. The story I’m about to tell you is not about how I started working for the company though, but about how I was first introduced to Darn Tough socks.

When we were first approached by the “nice Cabot Mills folks” to see if we would be willing to bring in a few pairs of their new brand of high-end Merino Wool socks, we did it more to support a local manufacturer than anything else.

This year marks our 20th anniversary of making socks right here in Vermont. Vermont has a rich history of sheep farming and wool textiles. From the textile mill history behind our Nantanna location, to our commitment to Merino Wool, to the community itself, we’d like to think we’re keeping a legacy alive.

Whether it’s getting stuck behind a tractor, seeing the beautiful red barns tucked into the green mountains, or the weekly farmer’s markets, it's hard to deny how farms have influenced Vermont culture. In our neck of the woods, if you don’t own a farm, chances are you know someone who does.

So, for this round of Staff Picks, we took to the knitting floor here in Waterbury to find out which new pairs (and colors) people are most excited about and why.

Sugaring. For those unfamiliar with the word, it is Vermont speak for making maple syrup. But for Vermonters, it is one word that conjures emotional memories of steam-filled cabins and, for those more romantically inclined, a horse towing a tank on a sleigh through a snow-covered forest. 

Born and raised in the Green Mountains of Vermont, pro snowboarder Jake Blavulet is our hometown hero, so we asked him some questions so you could get to know Jake like we do.