What is for sale RIGHT NOW?


  • Gift Certificates:  Purchase a Gift Certificate, which will allow the recipient to choose their own colors and get the fit just right.

























































You can purchase custom made, knitted in the USA, heavy duty wool socks that are warm, soft and last for years.  Choose your colors and sizing, and
order online! Gift Certificates also available!

Real Socks for the
Real World

Heavy Duty Socks For Sale, Custom Knitted for Men and Women

Designed & knitted by Ronda Jemtegaard

I create hand knitted wool socks warm enough for hunting in the woods, working on the farm, and padding around on wood floors in winter, yet soft, sturdy, and smooth-fitting inside boots.

These socks are knitted double thick, using two strands of the highest quality superwashed wool yarn. They are very soft, washable, and durable, with a reinforced heel and toe, and they DO NOT SHRINK!

I will make your socks to order; the instructions for customizing your socks are below. Occasionally I will have socks ready made.

I designed these socks in 2004 to meet the needs of my own family. I was not interested in the single-strand patterns commonly sold to sock knitters, which do not meet the needs of my family.  I began doubling the thickness of typical hand-knitted wool socks, and adding longevity features. I experimented with about 10 different sock yarns, and eliminated those that didn't meet my high standards for longevity, softness, warmth and lack of shrinkage. My 5-year-old socks are still in regular use, still warm and soft, still retaining their shape and size.

Real Socks are knitted in a non-smoking household, and laundered prior to shipping. However, we do have cats and dogs, so if severe pet allergies are an issue for you, order at your own risk.


PRACTICALITY:

If you have read any of our farming webpages, you know that we are all about practical farming and practical, frugal living. Slow fashion is the current term for clothing with a long life. Spending more for quality never goes out of style.

I make sure that my family members have at least 3 pairs of my Real Socks at any given time, which was a challenge while my teenage son was growing! The reason for a minimum of 3 pairs per person is that I air dry these socks after washing, and during winter weather this number of socks allows everyone at least one pair available at any given time as long as I keep up with the laundry.


PRICING: Why do these socks cost $199 per pair?

  • I use the highest quality wool sock yarns, which cost about $50 for a pair of socks.

  • My socks average about 20,000 stitches per pair, and it takes me about a week to knit 1 pair of socks.

  • Even at this price, I'm making far less than minimum wage for my design and skilled labor.  Buying Real Socks helps this family retain our farm during this wage slump, and keep our informational website online for helping other small farmers. If you are interested in paying minimum wage for my services; these socks would cost $422.00, and I would happily accept that!

  • Because these socks have been made to last for years, the cost-per-wear is quite reasonable. A low cost per wear is far more frugal than a low price tag!


SHIPPING: I ship via USPS Priority Mail, which takes just a few days to arrive anwhere in the USA.


ORDERING:

Have a look at the colors shown on this page and other pages, make note of those you like.  Custom color combinations and colors not shown here can be ordered.  Scroll down to begin the order process, where you will submit sizing information as well as color preference.


LAUNDERING

If you would like your Real Socks to last a long time and retain their softness, they must be cared for in the following manner. The type of detergent is essential for longevity of your socks, and the vinegar is essential for softness as well as longevity.  Vinegar returns the socks to their proper pH level, keeping the wool fibers from becoming dry or scratchy.

  • Use just a dribble (less than a Tablespoon) of Planet or Seventh Generation liquid laundry detergent in your washing machine on GENTLE cycle with COLD water.
  • After the entire cycle is completed, leave socks in washer and begin a rinse cycle, adding about 1/4 cup vinegar.  Vinegar is the most natural and effective laundry softener; and can be used in the last rinse cycle, or 2nd to last rinse cycle if you'd rather not have a faint vinegar scent in your laundry.
  • Air dry on a wooden drying rack, or from the clips of a skirt hanger. In average room temperature, socks will be dry the next morning. Your drying time may vary.
Click below to customize & buy Real Socks. Please note that I knit socks in the order payment is received. If you have questions about getting socks before Christmas, call me. I don't do email.

I'm ready to begin customizing
my Real Socks!
© 2000 - 2011.  Website design, text and photos are copyright by Ronda Jemtegaard unless otherwise noted.
Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical, is forbidden unless written request
is submitted to and approved by Ronda Jemtegaard of Greener Pastures Farm.


LONGEVITY

Check out the photo below.  Which is the brand new sock and which is 5 years old and has been worn regularly every winter?















The sock at left (color is Tahoe) was made in 2004, and shows very little wear.  The sock at right has been worn once and laundered twice (color is Thunder/Navy.)
Left:  Heel and instep of Ladies' striped sock in Thunder/Navy/
Charcoal/Pinstripe.








Left: Ladies' socks in Thunder/Navy, knitted to accomodate wide feet.









Left: Mens' socks in Forest/Mystic, showing the fit for a narrow foot.