Update on Socks for Soldiers

I have finished my first pair of Big Black Socks to send off to Kim (Sarge) from Socks for Soldiers. I've knit two pair for Bob's son, Jonathon, who is a Marine.

My socks just squeaked under the wire in terms of the "new" colors the military prefers - more desert colored. This is a wonderful development for the Socks for Soldiers program. I certainly understand knitters reluctance to knit tiny little stitches in black yarn! I am looking forward to leaving Big Black Socks behind.

Luckily our Essential Buckskin fits into the "Tan" category but we didn't have a green to match the military's idea of Olive Drab. I worked with Kim and we came up with "Sarge" in tribute to Kim keeping us in line and in good spirits.

Army (highest # of deployed) - Olive Drab (Sarge) or Tan (Buckskin)
Marines (2nd highest deployed) - Black or Tan (Buckskin)
Air Force (equal to Marines deployed) - Olive Drab (Sarge), Tan (Buckskin) or Black (for pilots)
Navy (3rd highest deployed) - Black

I'm hoping that these new colors will encourage more knitters to join the ranks! I can tell you these socks are perfect for toting around with you in order to "Give Me Twenty Minutes" each day.

Comments

[vickig]

kelley,
is there a specific pattern that you used for these socks? my niece's fiance just enlisted in the marines and i'd like to keep this in percolating in my mind for a while. also, how many skeins of essential are required? i'm with you on the big black socks, i'm finishing a pair of socks for my fil out of the black essential tweed and they seem to take forever! little stitches + black yarn = eye strain and craziness! thanks for the info-
vicki

[TLC]

Kelley,

What size socks should I knit so that they would fit most men?

~TLC

[Janice]

Kelley - Once I get my sock knitting up to speed, I'm signing up!

[Barb Thames]

Kelley, and all,

Don't forget that many of the "men" in the services aren't men at all. Make a pair for the women as well.

Barb

[COgirl]

I knit one pair of the big black socks and I nearly died! I think the new colors will be great. When I get back into knitting, I'll have to do more. This is such a worthy cause.