To meet the demand, knitters at home in Canada made a relentless effort. Those who received the sock knitting machines continued to knit with wool from the Red Cross. During the war all wool was controlled by the Red Cross and rationed. "Pink" knitting was frowned upon. Knitting socks with needles took about a week, and the Red Cross allowed 21 days for a handknitter to complete her socks before demanding the yarn back, to be given to another knitter. Think of your yarn stash! How wealthy we are today!