The NMHA Minor Atom A team would like to
thank Buck & Cook for their continued support and sponsorship. This is the second
year that they have supported this core group of players as they move up the
age group.
Necessity is the mother of all invention, and mittens on a string are exactly that. A practical mom or grandmother (no doubt) came up with the knitted version decades ago, met with cheers and applause from parents around the world. Fast forward to the 21st century and The Smittie ™ was born.
Originally conceived and designed when Buck & Cook co-founder, Jessica Buckley's first son was 18 months old. It was January and little boy Buckley was trying to have fun in the snow. Problem # 1. The mittens were falling off, constantly! Bare little hands were diving into the frozen snow and emerging red and wet. Tears ensued. Hands were now wet and couldn't easily slide back into the mitt. Problem #2. Mittens get lost! Mittens get separated! Mittens drop from strollers, out vehicle doors and get lost inside the bottom of baskets, bags and backpacks!
Out of necessity, Jessica designed the first Smittie using a light weight under jacket with the mittens sewn to the jacket, with exit holes for little hands, a secret back pocket to house a warming "HotShot", and a cozy hood for extra protection on days when the wind is blowing hard. Friends and colleagues starting to ask about Smittie, one being Aimee Cook, a former colleague. When Aimee first saw The Smittie her reaction was, "Where was this when my kids were younger? Every parent should have one of these!" The two momprenuers starting collaborating in 2011 and shortly after formed Buck & Cook to perfect The Smittie and to bring fine children's products to the world.