sock monkeys and other sock critters about me | cv/research | vecellio.net | nancy drew
i make these critters
They are made primarily from socks. Other materials include: buttons, felt, ribbon, iron-on letters or patches, and occasionally t-shirts and wine bags. I use the original Red Heel® Socks from Fox River Mills or buy socks from places like American Apparel or Army Navy surplus stores. Most of the monkey is hand sewn, although I do use a sewing machine for some parts.

i sell these critters
Monkeys made with adult-sized socks are between $30 - $40 (dependent upon clothes); monkeys made with smaller socks are $20 - $25 (again, dependent upon clothes) and baby sock rattles are $7. These prices do not include postage. If you are interested, contact me and I'll get to work!

why do I love sock monkeys so?

Way back in the late 1980s, I met a lifelong friend in design school at Florida State University. Already a professional thrift store/mid-century antiques connoisseur, he encouraged me to follow him on his jaunts to flea markets, estate sales, tags sales and yard sales. You should have seen the "guest room" (storage locker) at his mom's house back home. It was a treasure trove long before the American Antiques Roadshow, the Endless Yard Sale or eBay (by the way, he was a very early adapter) taught us what's what. It was on these excursions - in people's garages, yards, roadside stands, large outdoor markets, even larger indoor ones - that I found and fell in love with the sock monkey. I fell in love with chrome cocktail shakers too, but that's another story.

My passion was furthered solidified when I met another friend whose uncle was a mid-century antiques dealer in Ybor City (Tampa) and his uncle's house (which we frequented) was like a Florida antiques fairy tale. All the romantic, nostalgic Floridiana you could possibly imagine. In addition to his cool bent bamboo furniture, postcards, stuffed tiny alligators (personally not a fan), and flamingo snow globes, he had a large collection of sock monkeys. These little guys covered the stairs leading up to an unused attic space. A stair to nowhere covered with the red-heeled critters - I'd never seen anything so amazing.

A while ago, my daughter's aunt gave her this book "Oscar: The Big Adventure of a Little Sock Monkey" written and illustrated by Amy Schwartz I was bound and determined to make my daughter an Oscar of her own.

I also make baby rattles with socks. These are a modified version of "pocket pals" made with two baby socks. I put a tiny plastic jar with dried beans inside for the rattle.

One sock monkey characteristic I like best is their uniqueness. Even though 90% of the ones I own are made from Red Heel® brown socks, no two look alike. Each individual maker brings their own style, ideas, embellishments and so on to the work. The intent for each might be different: for a girl or boy, a toddler or a newborn. In addition to monkeys, I've collected sock rabbits, sock bears and sock elephants. I love the fact that, similar to other dolls and stuffed animals, so many of these critters were made for a specific soul by a specific person presumably with a lot of love in their heart for the receiver.

Obviously, I'm not alone in my love. Many companies now sell sock monkeys or use their imagery. I've bought them at the Gap, Urban Outfitters, Old Navy. Paul Frank's trademark Julius is a sock monkey and Dark Horse Comics even has Tony Millionaire's Sock Monkey. Many friends have given me sock monkey (and reindeer and snowmen) Christmas ornaments for our tree made from various companies.

history of the sock monkey

According to supersockmonkey.com:

"Children and adults have enjoyed Sock Monkeys for over a 100 years. The original crafter who created this lasting icon is unknown, but the creativity behind this wonderful doll has brought joy to millions.

The Red Heel® socks were first manufactured in 1890 by The Nelson Knitting Mills in Rockford Illinois. John Nelson came to this country from Sweden in 1852 with the Swedish immigrants stepping off the train in Rockford. The first sock knitting machines were patented by him in 1869. Incorporated in 1880, The Nelson Knitting Co. was the first company world wide to manufacture socks. These sturdy and comfortable work-socks were worn mainly by farmers and factory workers.

In the 1900's mothers started crafting these socks into sock monkeys and other animals for their children. These quality sock were intended and used as work socks, but they became so much more when the Sock Monkey was born. In 1920 Nelson Knitting Mills started to include the directions for the Sock Monkeys with every pair of red Heel® Socks.

Nelson Knitting Mills was purchased by Fox River Mills in 1992 and now Fox River Mills continues the tradition and includes the original directions with every pair of Red Heel® Socks they manufacture."

If you're a fan of Wikipedia, see here for additional historical information.

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