Where do socks come from?

I was knitting in the hall at my son's school, it's thankfully the kind of school that you can do that sort of thing. I was making socks and was at the point where there were many needles! I add extra when I'm doing the heel flap. This little guy came up to me with a look of absolute awe and asked what I was doing with all those needles! When I told him that I was making socks, he was even more amazed! "You can MAKE socks!!". Yup I can. My mother made socks, my cousins and sister make socks. Even if they don't make socks, every one I can think of has at least received hand made socks. Imagine, there are people out there who have never thought of where their socks come from! I mean, if all the sock factories suddenly went down, we sock knitters would be rock stars! Actually I find it kind of liberating and empowering to be able to make socks and other woolies. It's really cool to have a need that you can fill yourself. Honestly I've taken it a little over the edge with the DIY. I make my own laundry detergent, scouring powder, air freshener, bug spray, bread, buns and last night I actually made home made deodorant. At first I think is was about saving a bit of coin. Then it became more about knowing what is in the products that I use. Somewhere along the line, after it became second nature to just whip things up, it became empowering! There are so many awesome videos, patterns and recipes that we have instant access to. It seems that nothing is impossible! I think spinning will have to be my next DIY skill. I have the spinning wheel and the fiber...I just have to figure out how to DIY myself more time!!

In case anyone would like to know, here's how I make some stuff. It doesn't take as much time as going to the store to buy it does!

Scouring Powder:

1/2 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Regular Kitchen Salt
About 10 or 15 drops of whatever essential oil you like. I use Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. Tea Tree is a natural antibacterial, so is salt! So there really is no need for bleachy, chemical cleaners.

Air Freshener:
1 Cup Distilled Water (truthfully, I just use tap water)
1/2 Cup Rubbing Alcohol (apparently Vodka works well...but that sort of blow the whole cost savings out the window)
10 - 15 drop of essential oil. I really like Lavender and Bergamot. At Christmas time I used Clove and Cinnamon Oil.
I spray this on carpets and curtains before I vacuum. I'm not sure that I would trust it on really fine fabrics...actually I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't. It works just like fabric fresheners that I've used and it's not stained anything that I've used it on. Of course...even my couch is machine washable...so my experience might not be the best to call on!

Bug Spray for plants:
Just make the Air Freshener, add a teaspoon of olive oil, a teeny blop of dishsoap and 5 drops of Clove oil, 5 drops of cinnamon oil. I use it to control fungus gnats, spider mites and other fungal infections and powdery mildew on my orchids and violets. Again...No chemicals!