• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques


CraftGossip.com may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.
  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Stamping
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Christmas
  • Search
  • Our Store

Socks By Bob Puts Socks on Thousands of Homeless People’s Feet

January 20, by Sarah White. 1 Comment

Bob Rutherford uses homemade machines to knit socks for the homeless.It’s common to feel a need to change things, to do something to fill the time, when your spouse dies. Bob Rutherford, an 88-year-old in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, started knitting socks, not by hand, but with his own low-cost sock knitting machines.

The machines, made out of tubing and other parts, can knit up to 90 stitches a second and make tubes that are cut down to sock shape and distributed to homeless people across Canada — more than 10,000 pairs, to be exact.

Rutherford knits with his buddies 92-year-old Glynn Sully, 85-year-old George Slater and Barney Sullivan, who’s a young guy, around age 65.

He says the connection to the group of other knitters keeps him doing it, and that the socks have given his life a purpose.

This is such a great story! I just wish he’d release the instructions for how to make the knitting machines so more people could benefit from them; wouldn’t that be something?

[Photo via CBC News.]

Looking for more knitted socks designs and patterns to keep you warm this winter? Check out these knitted sock patterns Etsy. And these Knitting Pattern books on Amazon.

Looking to buy your Yarn online? Check out these online yarn specials.

Next Pattern:

  • Knit Chunky Slippers to Keep Your Feet Warm
  • Help for Knitting Garments for People with Wider Hips
  • emPower People Knitting Pattern
«
»

Comments

  1. MPaula says

    January 21, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    Where I live, Windsor, Ontario, a 9-year old girl, Sarah, began collecting socks for the homeless. I think she is 15 now and still going strong. I have never been homeless but I have suffered sock failure and know how special socks can be!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Have you read?

Easy Bears Ears Hat Knitting Pattern

Vecna Sock Knitting Pattern

Best of Knit Picks: Pullovers and Cardigans

Book Review: InstaKnits by Melissa Leapman

Knit a Sweet Ducky Washcloth

Explore

Beginner Book Reviews Craft News and Events Free Patterns hat Knitting Articles Of Interest Knitting Patterns Knitting Technique & Ideas Quick scarf shawl patterns Sweaters

Support Us




RSS From The Network

  • 9 Free Floral Swag Digital Stamps
  • Easy Teacher Cross Stitch Patterns
  • Mason Jar Plastic Canvas Birds Kit
  • Vecna Sock Knitting Pattern
  • Best of Knit Picks: Pullovers and Cardigans
  • Botanical Card with Inked Embossing Folder
  • Ranch Life Layout
  • How to Make a Reading Pillow
  • Shrink Plastic Backpack Charms
  • Book Review: InstaKnits by Melissa Leapman

Trending popular ideas

What to Do with Single Skeins of Sock Yarn
How Do You Read a Knitting Pattern?
The Basics of Knitting a Baby Blanket
The Rory Baby Blanket Knit Pattern
Use Up Your Stash on the Stripey Turtle Tank
Bottom Up Sweaters to Knit
A Cheat Sheet for Cast Ons
A Colorful Way to Knit a Shawl
Knitting Patterns- Knit a Scarf with Heart
A Great Technique for Neater Color Changes

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Stamping
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2022 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy