The Story Behind ROSTER SOX

Hello everyone!

Five years have passed since I started working at TAMANIWA, without me even realizing it.
I'm Nakajima, the store manager.

I'm writing this blog because I want to share the appeal of ROSTER SOX with all of you.

It's a bit long, but I hope you'll read it to the end!

 

First, why is the title "Behind the Scenes of ROSTER SOX"?
I've been looking at and selling socks every day as a matter of course,
but to be honest, I've never really seen what kind of place or atmosphere they're made in.

"I want to see the story behind their creation!"

With that feeling in mind,
I visited the factory in Gunma for the first time!

What I first felt when I arrived at the factory was that
it was a little different from the "big factory" I had imagined.

It was a building nestled in a residential area, seemingly rooted in the community since long ago,
and it felt somewhat nostalgic.

When I greeted them, everyone smiled back,
and I felt a very warm atmosphere.

I was able to meet the factory manager and staff who I usually communicate with via phone and email,
and it really reinforced that these are the people who support ROSTER SOX.

By the way, the current president is the third generation.
Looking at the factory's atmosphere, it's no wonder it has lasted so long!

Inside the factory, there were rows of sock knitting machines,

each machine operating steadily to the same rhythm.

The colorful threads are cute.

I wanted to show you the process of how socks are made,
but since they are knitted inside the machine, I couldn't see the knitting process myself.

The thread goes into the machine from the top,
and before you know it, a finished sock just "pops" out from the bottom.

Machines with intricate, complex parts.
If a thread were to get tangled, I wouldn't have the confidence to fix it at all...

They say the thread is fed from above to prevent tangling.

By the way, this may look like dust,
but it's actually lint from the knitting process, not dust!

The factory also had old-fashioned knitting machines called "Old Machines."
(The machines that knit the RX series of Roster Socks, which I like)

Apparently, they are old machines that are no longer manufactured,
so if they break down, they can't simply be replaced with new ones.

They search for missing parts and the factory staff repeatedly make repairs, keeping them running to this day.
Knowing the history of how they've been cherished and used for so long really warms my heart...!
The machines themselves have a cool, dignified presence.

They knit slowly and carefully, as if tending to the machine's mood.

Seeing them in action, it's clear that
they prioritize not just efficiency,
but also preserving the traditional texture and comfort!

The socks knitted on such old machines are called "low-gauge socks," which are loosely knitted with thick threads.

They are sturdy and well-made, yet a little loose, and feature a gentle fit with less constriction!

[ROSTER SOX：RX-79 BO by X]

 

This is another old machine that knits rib socks.

While new machines often operate by importing data, this rib knitting machine is instructed by buttons.
It looks like a machine straight out of a Ghibli movie.

 

 

I found the familiar ROSTER SOX BEER socks in an unfinished state!!

The toe part of the sock is finished by machine stitching.

I was surprised because I thought everything was made completely by machine!

 

 

The steam pressing for finishing is also done one by one by hand.

The molds and irons used.

 

By the way, since I'm also from Gunma,
it makes me very happy that such wonderful craftsmanship continues in my hometown,
and as someone with Gunma blood, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

 

It's not just about efficiency or speed,

it's because each item is carefully finished with the craftsmanship and dedication of artisans,

that those warm socks are born.

 

The ROSTER SOX that I usually handle in the store

now feel more cherished and special than ever before.

Actually visiting the site was a continuous thrill, with so many new discoveries.

I hope I've managed to convey even a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes of ROSTER SOX!

When you see them in the store, please try to remember this behind-the-scenes story!

 

Thank you very much!!!

 

 【Check out ROSTER SOX 】

 

TAMANIWA

Nakajima