December 29, 2021

Sock the Competition


Sock the Competition
A competition to keep you on your toes.  Photo by Giulia Bertelli via Unsplash

While sock knitting is usually an event reserved for relaxation and gift preparation, the town of Rasskazovo (Tambov region) decided to raise the stakes and turn the peaceful activity into a national competition

Sixty-six knitters from thirty-three different regions of Russia competed in the challenge. Competitors came from all different walks of life: pensioners to school children, librarians to athletes, tax workers, museum workers, housewives, and servicemen. 

There were three different rounds in the competition: an introduction round, a speed-knitting round, and a freestyle round. The winner of the completion was Tatyana Porokhova from St. Petersburg, who knitted a set of socks with children's storybook characters on them. The runner-up, Galina Polugyaeva, knitted a set of socks themed with the different animals from the zodiac signs.

Other notable awards included "The Most Unusual Sock" which was given to an enormous sock, fittingly titled "A Sock for a Giant." The winner of the video competition discussed the process of creating a knitted Coronavirus cell costume

Overall, what really knocked the socks off the judges was just the sheer amount of creativity that the Russian people presented in the competition. 

You Might Also Like

Someone Else's Granny
  • May 01, 2019

Someone Else's Granny

Even when you do a good deed, you need to pay attention, or you may chart a new road to humility.
Crafting Markets
  • November 01, 2018

Crafting Markets

An assemblage of crafters, knitters and felters talk about what it means to be a small producer in Russia.
A Cone-petition
  • December 17, 2021

A Cone-petition

A challenge to collect the most pinecones turns out to be about more than just the competition itself. 
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955