One is the Loneliest Number: Upcycling Those Single Socks

I posted this picture of the mountain of socks to be matched at our house last night. These represent several loads, but also socks that have longed for a match for quite some time. The worst culprits: Tiny, white baby socks! The question has been asked a million times: Where do socks disappear to? Does the dryer eat them? Does a little imp sneak in the house and steal them away? Do they run away?


Last night, while participating in the #GreenGifts Twitter party hosted by The Eco Chic, those socks came to mind again. We were talking green gift giving, creating our own gifts, and sewing gift ideas. I suddenly wondered if anyone had clever ideas for those sad socks I’d given up on finding a mate for. I couldn’t very well donate them the way I traditionally donate clothes and it seemed so wasteful to throw them away. 


 Three new friends quickly responded with some links and ideas: 
1. Sock buns, apparently pinned like crazy on Pinterest. (@skeyBtB)
2. Sock puppet dusting! (@java_diva) 
3. Zkano Organic Sox upcylce and recycle socks. (@vzwraps)


 All three of these ideas intrigued me. I visited the Zkano site and was excited to find the link discussing ways to reuse and recycle old socks! Not only does Zkano make quality, organic socks that will last along time (preventing waste), but they also recycle socks for you. Simply mail at least 6 pairs of socks (or 12 mateless ones) to offset the carbon footprint of mailing to this address and they will recycle them.
Emi-G KnittingAttention: Zkano Recycles Program
1715 Airport Road
Ft Payne, AL 35968


I also asked Zkano if I could share some of their awesome ideas for reusing socks and they agreed. Have you ever considered using old socks as a 

1. Dust rag. Slip a sock on your hand, dampen with cleaner and have at it. Wash and reuse. 
2. Drink cozy. Want to insulate your drink? Put a sock on it. Cold stays cold and hot stays hot. 
3. Heat packs. Fill a sock with rice, seal it and heat in the microwave for 1 minute. 
4. Draft protector. In the winter, wedge stuffed socks in front of doors to keep cold air out. 
5. Dog toy. Place a tennis ball inside a sock for an added layer of chewing fun.