#mitscoots socks

[the-book-ferret]

L E T    I T    S N O W

[sockdreams]

Sweater Sock Season!

It is now September, and that is amazing, because fall is starting, meaning we get to pull out all of the best and coziest layers! That means boots, jackets and, you guessed it, sweaters! The only thing better than layering up all of these elements is having a great pair of sweater socks to go with them, and that, dear reader, is what brings us here today.

Long Cuffable Scrunchable Socks styled in various ways, in dark brown, navy, and dark red

Now, "sweater sock" is not a technical term, and it could well be that everybody defines it a little differently, so I'm going to explain what makes a sweater sock in my mind. While we have a lot of "sweater patterned" socks (typically Fair Isle inspired patterns), many of them are a lighter weight than I would consider a sweater sock. Wool is also a traditional sweater material, and we have lots of wool socks, but again, many of them are too thin or too fine a gauge of knit for the sweater sock title. Boot Socks are another subgenre of sock that is known for being thick, which is a sweatery kind of attribute, and there's definitely a bit of cross-over, but sweater socks are less likely to be terry-lined, and again, the gauge of knit is a more important factor when it comes to sweater styles.

Ribbed M Stockings in navy * Long Cuffable Scrunchable Socks in hunter * M45s in sweet cream

So what is a sweater sock? To me a sweater sock is warm, soft, thick, and knitted on a relatively large gauge (at least as far as socks go), often featuring thicker yarns. Pattern isn't really a defining factor, and many of the sweater socks we will talk about today are solid colors, but if the weight of the sock is right, a Fair Isle or marled pattern can really add to the sweatery "vibe" of a style.

Longer Thicker Slouch Socks in charcoal * Cotton Slouch Socks in tangerine * Warm & Cozy Boot Socks in light blue

Our DreaM Stockings line is probably the most sweater sock-heavy brand we have, which shouldn't come as a huge surprise given that we designed it! With that said, though, our other house brand, Dreamer Socks, tend to be a finer gauge and thinner material than I consider "sweatery". Look at it this way: DreaM Stockings are a vintage, chunky-knit sweater, while Dreamer Socks are a beautifully fitted, fine-knit cardigan. A cardigan may technically be a sweater, but it's not really the kind of sweater we're here to gush over today.

Confetti Slouch Socks in black confetti * Confetti M45s in cream confetti

The sweater styles in our DreaM Stockings collection tend to be on the longer side, from knee highs to ultra-long thigh highs. They come in solid, marled and confetti patterns, with a couple of stripey outliers (which are also marled -- we're just doubling down on the cute, okay?). These more uniform patterns make it easy to pair these styles with outfits so you don't have to put a ton of thought into what you're wearing.

Marled Slouch Socks in dark red, navy and black * Marled Scrunchable Thigh High Socks in grey

Marled Stripe Knee Socks in thicket * Top-Striped Marled Slouch Socks * Top-Striped Marled Scrunchable Socks in black w/ dark red

Some of our suppliers only carry one or two sweater sock styles, but even though that's not really their focus, the ones they make are definitely worth mentioning! While Foot Traffic makes a lot of fleece-lined tights, leggings, and socks these days, that's not really what we call a sweater sock, in the same way that a polar fleece pullover is kind of "jackety" and not entirely "sweatery" (these are very important technical terms that we, the sock experts, are definitely not just making up on the fly). They do, however, make two styles that we feel are totally sweatery: Cotton Rag Bootsocks and Check Dots Knee Highs.

Check Dot Knee Highs in ivory * Cotton Rag Bootsocks in granite

Mitscoots also makes two sweatery styles, and frankly they're essentially different colorways of the same sock, but we're fine with that because we LOVE that sock! There is something oddly supple about these, and they stretch like crazy, but also condense down to knee highs weirdly well.... we don't really know how they managed to achieve this, but we suspect that magic is involved.

Gwen Bootsocks * Whitney Bootsocks

Though our Mitscoots styles shown above are currently sold out (be sure to sign up for restock notifications on their product pages!) we still wanted to include them for the sake of comprehensiveness.  We also have a couple of similarly cozy marled styles from K. Bell and Pook, both of which are currently in stock! All of our Pook styles are on clearance, so get them while the getting's good!

Pretty Tomboy Knee Socks in black * Pook Knee Socks with red stripes

The brands that only carry one sweater style have all really nailed the sweater sock concept in different ways. Ozone makes the most official sweater sock of all, the Sweater Style OTK, while Tabbisocks makes the ultimate in Japanese scrunchy socks, which comes in about a million colorways, making it a staple for those obsessed with color matching. Peony and Moss, as well as Nouvella, have perfected the texture element of sweaterness with their Marled Cable Thigh Highs and Pebble Ribbed OTKs (also available in a crew), respectively.

Sweater Style OTKs in beige * Scrunchy Socks in fuchsia

Marled Cable Thigh Highs in dried herb * Pebble Ribbed OTKs in charcoal

B Ella's single sweater style also happens to be a delightful wool blend, with seasonally rotating colors, meaning that there are often new options each winter. Cronert also makes a fantastic wool sock with a subtle cable pattern to the cuff (which can, indeed, be worn unfolded!), and while it doesn't come in as many colors as B Ella's Bess, they do come in two foot sizes.

Bess Knee Socks in blue glass * Cronert Ribbed Wool OTK in ecru

And now that we're getting into some animal fibers, it is my duty to present you with our absolute favorite supplier of humanely sourced angora, Orkney Angora. This fiber is collected from rabbits, so it is soft as can be, with a fuzzy "halo" surrounding it that creates an insulating microclimate around your legs! While the OTKs they make are so sweatery that even somebody who has never seen an actual sweater could probably identify them as such, their thermal crews are a little more on the cusp where my definition is concerned. They're a finer gauge than what I would normally consider a sweater sock, but they are so thick and soft and fuzzy that I just can't help myself! These socks defy labels, unless you're just labeling them as "amazing."

Angora OTKs in charcoal * Thick Thermal Angora Socks in fawn

And now, dear reader, we have arrived at the Fair Isle portion of our sweater socks tour....

September Sun Knee Highs by Solmate

As previously mentioned, Fair Isle is a classic sweater pattern, often seen in Scottish and Scandinavian knitting, and those northerners know about cold! A lot of the Fair Isle patterned items we carry are actually printed, or else knit on a finer gauge than is appropriate to sweaters, but traditional Fair Isle colorwork involves "carrying" over the unused colors of yarn behind the stitches, which results in an extra layer of yarn, making for a thicker and warmer garment. We carry two brands that make delightfully chunky (and often colorful) Fair Isles, and that is almost exclusively what these brands make!

Mars Crews * Midnight Knee Highs * Scarecrow Crews

First up is Solmate Socks, who specialize in mismatched (but totally color-coordinated) Fair Isle socks. They mostly do crews and knee highs, and you can often find your favorite colorway in both! We also carry some anklet styles of theirs for summer, as their socks are an 80% cotton blend that makes them comfortable in most climates.

Dots N Dash Crews in teal * Sunrise Fairisle Knee Highs in teal * Lattice Crews in olive

Along the same sock wavelength we have QT Feet, who also specialize in cotton blend, chunky knit Fair Isles. The difference is that these styles aren't mismatched, and they tend to change up their patterns a little more than Solmate. QT Feet also seems to be a little bolder when it comes to dabbling with bright and unusual color combinations.

And like that, we have finally arrived at the conclusion of our sweatery sock journey! Your definition of what makes a sweater sock might be different from ours, but whether it's about fiber content, pattern, weight or knitting gauge (or some combination of these) we know there's one element we can all agree on: the element of cozy! We wish you all a wonderful autumn, and may your toes be ever cozy.

~♥~Rosalind Socks by Sock Dreams • Free Shipping in the US • $5 International Shipping Find us on facebook | twitter | pinterest | instagram | sock journal | g+

[tsgnorthwestarkansas]

Scouted, Local, Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts

We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite local Father’s Day gifts that are hand-crafted, hip and sprinkled with a touch of red for Razorback fans. And for the procrastinators among us: You can find everything here in stock in shops in Northwest Arkansas.

1 | Go big this Father’s Day with a classic 40mm Rolex Oyster Submariner date timepiece crafted in Oystersteel and featuring a Cerachrom bezel and black dial, available at Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry (3202 South Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR).

2 | Pack a bag full of hand-crafted, ethical goodies from Remedy Road (112 W Central Ave., Bentonville, AR). Pictured: United by Blue tees, which removes one pound of trash from our world’s oceans and waterways for every product sold; Mitscoots socks, made by transitional homeless people in Austin, TX; Sseko weekender duffle bag, ethically sourced and eco-friendly; Veja Volley canvas white Nautico Pekin sneakers.

3 | Stationery is such a classic gift, and we love this petite stationery box in Razorback red available at Shindig Paperie (100 W. Center St, Suite #5, Fayetteville, AR). Each detail is completely customizeable from the box color to the envelope liner. The set includes 35 letterpress notes with the option to line the envelopes in a variety of fun patterns and classic solids.

4 | We think details make a big difference, and these Bugatchi Rhodium Plated Red Enamel Cufflinks available at By Request for Men (24 E. Meadow St., Fayetteville, AR) will add a pop of color (and Razorback red) to Dad’s day. 

5 | Gift your music-loving dad these luxury Master & Dynamic bluetooth-enabled headphones with listening and calling capabilities, made from super-soft glove leather, machined aluminum and steel components. Available at Hubbard Clothing Company (3301 Market St., Suite 110, Rogers, AR).

6 | Your dad will be looking good (and seeing well!) wearing these handcrafted Ahlem sunglasses designed with timeless style and meticulous attention to detail. Available at Mertins Eye & Optical ( 640 North Garland, Suite 110, Fayetteville, AR).

7 | Locally-based lifestyle brand Curly Tail designs full grain leather Arkansas belts that make the perfect gift for the man who loves to show his State or Razorback pride while looking fashionable with the unique craftsmanship of a whipstitched, hand-beaded belt. The “Curly Tail pig” socks pair well with any outfit, whether sporting them for a game or in the boardroom. Available online at Curly Tail or in the shop at Walker Bros. (577 E Millsap Rd., Suite #6, Fayetteville, AR or  5100 W Pauline Whitaker Pkwy, Suite #111, Rogers, AR).

[rustichouse]

We really make playing in the rain fun! @mitscoots arrives Tuesday! Online now get them while you can! 📷 @dkphotos888 🍁Rachellem.com🍁 #monday #comfort #streetstyle #liveauthentic #rainyday #boho #bohochic #bohostyle #bohemian #sweaters #luxurytravel #classic #style #fashion #womensfashion #men #menswear #liveauthentic #womensfashion #friends #boots #momlife #autumn #fall #letsdothis #october #fashionblogger #outfitoftheday #adventure #hike #boots #socks (at Rachelle M. Rustic House of Fashion)

[beccalmoss]

3 miles on my 43rd ⚡️with my @mitscoots socks + @nike running shoes. #globalrunningday #itsmybirthday #runningshoes #nikerunningshoes #mitscoots #mitscootssocks #running #5k #movebreatheachieve #plantpowered #plantbased #plantbasednutrition #plantprotein #vegasport #vegateam #iphone #iphonephoto

[eatwelleatgood]

Everymove.org

One thing I love about everymove.org is the rewards are from charities (not all of them but most of them). When you select a reward it will say if it is a charity.

My first reward was for Mitscoots Socks. They state "So, for every pair purchased, we give an equal quality pair of socks to someone in need and take pride in employing those less fortunate to get each and every pair of our socks packaged up and ready to go." Companies who state in their mission to help others is a company I will support.   

The last round of points I didn't select a reward and everymove donated $1 to the Make a Wish Foundation. Yeah I thought just a dollar was lame and they could have done more, but I didn't select the amount or did I select the charity.

Currently I am working towards a new reward for Epic Timepieces. What they do is sell watches and every purchase that is made they will provide clean water to a person for five years.

[the-book-ferret]

“Wolves are the witches of the animal world.” ― Katherine Rundell, The Wolf Wilder

[the-book-ferret]

“This is home. The two of us.” ― Stephanie Perkins, Anna and the French Kiss

[the-book-ferret]

“my boy? he is even better than books. -fiction has nothing on you.” ― Amanda Lovelace, The Princess Saves Herself in this One

[the-book-ferret]

“There are so many things prickling in the back of my mind, threatening to take me out of this moment. But instead of worrying about anything, I close my eyes, lean forward, and allow myself to believe in us.” ― Jay Asher, What Light

[the-book-ferret]

Ryn has one unread text message on her phone. And it’s been there for almost a year. . She hasn’t tried to read it. She can’t. She won’t. Because that one message is the last thing her best friend ever said to her before she died. . But as Ryn finds herself trapped in the Denver International Airport on New Year’s Eve thanks to a never-ending blizzard on the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s death, fate literally runs into her. . And his name is Xander. . When the two accidentally swap phones, Ryn and Xander are thrust into the chaos of an unforgettable all-night adventure, filled with charming and mysterious strangers, a secret New Year’s Eve bash, and a possible Illuminati conspiracy hidden within the Denver airport. But as the bizarre night continues, all Ryn can think about is that one unread text message. It follows her wherever she goes, because Ryn can’t get her brialliantly wild and free-spirited best friend out of her head. . Ryn can’t move on. . But tonight, for the first time ever, she’s trying. And maybe that’s a start.

[the-book-ferret]

The new year is coming... I can smell it...

[the-book-ferret]

Hello, December...

[the-book-ferret]

A lovely little holiday romance read!

[the-book-ferret]

Hello, November...

[the-book-ferret]

Go check out the Black Friday deals at @nerdy-post like the build your own box option and buy any 2 items in the store, get one free! 

Don’t forget to sign up for the NARNIA December box by November 29th with BOOKFERRET10 to save 10% on your first subscription!