“Socks by Bob” has made over 11,000 pairs of socks in the last 10 years.
Bob Rutherford, 91, and a few of his friends have been making wool socks to help keep feet warm, by donating them to those in need at shelters in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
In October 2018, Rutherford was able to create a knitting machine 7.5 inches across and 100 needles around to knit toques and neck warmers.
“Since Feb.1, I’ve knit just under 500 items,” he said. “They have pretty well all gone downtown Saskatoon.”
Terra Dionne, a friend of Rutherfords, explained Socks by Bob is a way they can help.
“It’s just a small thing we can do to give back to the community to keep people warm,” she said.
One pound of wool can make four pairs of socks or six toques, and Dionne said it comes at a large expense.
“We need a years’ worth,” she said. “The wool comes from Custom Woolen Mills and it’s approximately $25,000 for the year.”
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Rutherford said they are asking for help to buy more wool through a GoFundMe campaign.
Rutherford is hopeful they will raise enough fund to keep him turning his machines for the next year.
“As long as the wool keeps coming in the door,” he said. “I’ll keep knitting.”
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