Archive for the ‘Sock Monkeys’ Category
Sock Monkeys
A sock monkey is a stuffed toy made from socks and fashioned in the likeness of a monkey. Sock monkeys hold an important place in the culture of North America as a symbol of ingenuity
History
The genesis of the sock monkey came about when the craze of stuffed animals swept across Europe and into America, where it met the burgeoning arts and crafts movement in the United States. Mothers there took to sewing sock monkeys as toys for their children, and sock monkeys soon became a fixture of American nurseries.
Early
The iconic sock monkeys made from Red-Heel socks emerged at the earliest in 1932, the year the Nelson Knitting Company of Rockford, Illinois added the trademarked red heel to its product. In the early years, the red heeled sock was marketed as "De-Tec-Tip". Nelson Knitting was an innovator in the mass market work sock field, creating a loom that enabled socks to be manufactured without seams in the heel. These seamless work socks were so popular that the field was soon flooded with imitators, and socks of this type were known under the generic slang term "Rockfords". Nelson Knitting added the red heel "de-tec-tip" to assure its customers they were buying "original Rockfords". This red heel gave the monkeys their distinctive mouth.
Around 1951 the knitting company discovered their socks were being used to make monkey dolls. In 1953, Nelson Knitting became involved in a dispute over the design patent on the sock monkey pattern. They were awarded the patent in 1955, and began including the pattern with every pair of socks. The sock monkey doll was then used in promotional campaigns celebrating the widespread application of their product by inventive homemakers in the field of monkey manufacturing.
In 1958, the "scrap-craft" magazine Pack-O-Fun published, "How to Make Sock Toys", a guide to making different sock animals and dolls with red heeled socks. Frequently cited as being their most popular book ever, this pamphlet went through multiple printings and was being produced in new editions up until the mid-1980s.
Modern
The Nelson Knitting Company was acquired in 1992 by Fox River Mills, and the original brown heather, Red Heel monkey sock is still in production by Fox River Mills. A distinctive change in the red heeled sock design distinguishes monkeys made with Fox River Mills socks from Nelson Knitting Company socks. Fox River heels are more uniformly ovular, without the end points that gave Nelson Knitting-made sock monkeys their smiles or frowns.
Sock monkeys remain a popular toy to this day, though not as prevalent as teddy bears. Most vintage sock monkeys found today are no older than the late 1950s, and many date from the 1970s. A number of methods for dating sock monkeys have been debated by collectors, including the shape of the red heel, the tightness of the weave, the style of clothing worn, and other features. However, since sock monkeys are home-made rather than mass-manufactured, it is extremely difficult to accurately date any particular monkey.
Sock monkeys have seen a new growth in popularity in the 21st Century, largely due to craft sites like craftster, who held a "Sock Monkey Challenge" in 2006. The methods and materials of sock monkey production remain for the most part unchanged from those of the initial toys, though sock monkeys now come in a greater variety of designs, with socks other than red heels. One change is that polyfill and other synthetic fibers have replaced the old rags, pantyhose, kapok, cotton batting and even dried grain once used for stuffing. Indeed, some modern sock monkeys are not even made from socks at all, but most people have made them from socks.
The continued popularity of the sock monkey encouraged the city of Rockford, Illinois to embrace the doll as a part of its history. In 2005, Midway Village and Museum Center in Rockford held its first "Sock Monkey Madness Festival", while simultaneously opening an exhibit highlighting the industrial, legal, and creative history of the Nelson red heel sock and the sock monkey. The festival has since become an annual event.
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Multipet 10-Inch Sock Pal Monkey Plush Dog Toy with SqueakersReviewsAwesome! One large black Labrador named Sammi girl cannot put this down! She normally shares but this is sacredly guarded from her big brother Bear Cub. Hee hee! My 4lb. 6 month old mini dachshund loves socks so I figured this would be a great toy for her. She was able to rip off it's mouth, both eyes, and make a huge hole in its head all in less than 24 hours. It definitely wasn't worth the money I spent on it. Great product, too good for a dog, I always wanted a sock monkey but most are too expensive, so this little guy has a happy home with my bear collection. con: I was disappointed when I received the item. It was suppose to be a 12 inch monkey but it looks like a 6" dog. The legs a place in the wrong way. pro: I did receive the items quickly. EVERYONE HAS HAD A SOCK MONKEY AS A CHILD AND NOW YOUR DOG CAN HAVE ONE TOO. I SAW THIS FROM THE PET STORE LISTED AND THOUGHT IT WAS A CUTE SMALLER VERSION. THE PRICE WAS RIGHT SO I ORDERED IT FOR OUR NEW LAB PUPPY. SHE IS IN LOVE WITH THIS SOCK MONKEY. IT LOOKS GREAT EVEN AFTER THE PUPPY CHEWS ON IT WHICH IS AMAZING. HER FAVORITE TOYS ARE THIS AND THE LOOFAH DOG YOU CAN ALSO GET ON AMAZON OR AT A PET STORE. I'M GOING TO GET AN EXTRA ONE B/C IT KEEPS HER HAPPY, ENTERTAINED AND QUIET. Average Rating:  |
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Sock Pals are handcrafted dog toys made from real socks! Pups love to grab and pull our socks.well, now they can have their very own Sock Pal to play with. And these Sock Pals squeak! This classic toy will be enjoyed for years to come! |
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Midwest Monkey Cup and Plate Set/2 |
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Cheerful brights meet retro charm for a lovable new family of characters perfect for kids - and kids at heart. Our new Monkeying Around collection encourages children to play the old-fashioned way - with a little imagination and a whole lot of activity! Tags specially designed for each character feature their name and favorite activity - for example, sing and dance with Rusty, hop and skip with JoJo, and bounce and giggle with Cooper... |
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Sock Monkey Ornaments - Set of 4ReviewsThese ornaments are to cute! Got them for my sister because her tree was looking so bare and sad, not anymore! These guys are so unique and liven up the tree. Heck, who says they can't stay up all year?? I really like 'em. Every 1 who sees them wants them. all I have left is 1 so I'm gonna order more soon. Average Rating: |
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Cheerful brights meet retro charm for a lovable new family of characters perfect for kids - and kids at heart. Our new Monkeying Around collection encourages children to play the old-fashioned way - with a little imagination and a whole lot of activity! Tags specially designed for each character feature their name and favorite activity - for example, sing and dance with Rusty, hop and skip with JoJo, and bounce and giggle with Cooper... |
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Sock Monkey |
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Sock Monkey Records' Twisted America: 16 tracks by 10 of the coolest bands you'll ever hear. |
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This 1997 Compilation from Chicago's now-defunct Sock Monkey Records brought together 10 bands from around the country, showcasing a cross-section of American Rock Music at the time. Featuring a mix of metal, grindcore, punk, and hardcore, "Twisted America" had something for everyone... |
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Green Tea Revitalize by Elizabeth Arden for Women - 6 Pc Gift Set 3.3oz EDT Spray, 1.7oz Warming Hand & Foot Scrub, 1.7oz Hand & Foot Moisture Therapy, 1.7oz Renewing Body Scrub, Moisturizing Socks, Bag |
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Green Tea Revitalize by Elizabeth Arden for Women - 6 Pc Gift Set 3.3oz EDT Spray, 1.7oz Warming Hand & Foot Scrub, 1.7oz Hand & Foot Moisture Therapy, 1.7oz Renewing Body Scrub, Moisturizing Socks, Bag |
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Monkey Business Lunch Napkins |
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This adorable sock monkey design is a hit for party monkeys of any age. A great designer paper beverage napkin that is ideal for your party. It is made with high quality and will show your guests that you care. |
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Schylling Sock MonkeyReviewsI bought this for my girlfriend for v-day. It came with plenty of time to spare, and she loved it. Great seller. This product exceeded my expectations. It is made very well and is so cute and just perfect for the gift I bought it for. I am very pleased.Schylling 20" Sock Monkey I ordered this thinking I was getting a made in the USA product. very disappointed to learn it was Made in China, I did return and Amazon was wonderful about that, but it still was disappointing. I opted for the "make your own sock monkey" Made in the USA.. it was a present and was a lot of fun to give- something I can be proud of since it was made in the USA I was very happy with this product. The price was good compared to other website offers and the shipping was great. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a sock monkey. Everyone loved the sock monkey. I may have to buy several more so that everyone has their own. Average Rating: |
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From the Manufacturer Hang out with this special Schylling designed sock monkey, which is classic, retro and cool. It is the traditional brown, with red lips and a cute hat. It measures 20" tall. Product Description Sock Monkey Stuffed Toy... |
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Original 20" Sock MonkeyReviewsI received this sock monkey as a shower gift and LOVED it! It is adorable in person!! My 18 month old second cousin seemed to LOVE getting hugs from this monkey with its long arms! I can't wait to take pictures of my baby with this monkey! It definitely has a retro charm, and I found out later that my dad had a sock monkey like this growing up. I bought this as a Christmas present for an adult. He doesnt play with it (he would look kind of silly doing that) but it serves its purpose of being a nostalgia gift. I got a pair of these for my nephews (ages 4 and 2) this XMas because my brother and I had these when we were kids. They were an instant hit with the boys. The sock monkey is a classic and I wasn't surprised that both boys took them with them to bed that night. I think they will be holding on to them for a long time. Instant hit at six months. Big smiles. It's light and floppy and sturdy--my 10-month-old has been chewing on it for 4 months and it's held up well. The red/white/darkbrown contrast and simple expression are engaging. Definitely a standout from other plush toys. I bought this sock monkey for myself for Christmas because I used to have one like it when I was a toddler many years ago. It is well made and could withstand a child's rough treatment. It looks 99.9% like my old sock monkey and brings back good memories. Average Rating: |
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This handcrafted toy is an American classic! In the 40's and 50's, people used to make dolls from real socks. This is a replica of that wonderful tradition. Originally made from red heeled socks, the Sock Monkey touched many hearts... |
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Sock Monkey Jack in the BoxReviewsIts your standard jack in the box, just what i wanted for my baby, it amuses him for a couple of minutes but then he's off exploring again. It is what it is, mine was bought more for decorative purposes anyway Bought two as gifts for a 6 month old grandson and a 6 month old grandaughter. Everyone, including grandparents, parents, sibling and the intended gift receivers enjoyed this toy. It is made by the original Jack-in-the-box company, is very colorful and well made. An old idea still entertains children! My granddaughter (2 yrs. old) can't get enough of this toy. My Grandson (1) watched his Mom play it for 5 minutes, then turned the crank himself. Again and again... The nostalgia of the sock monkey and a jack-in-the-box is WONDERFUL. Fantastic Toy. Graphics are cute and colorful. For the sock monkey lover, this is a must have. Fat Brain Toys was great at communicating all the way to letting me know that the package had arrived and was placed by my door. Delivered on time and packaged well. Definitely for this purchase a 10. I bought this for my 20-mth old daughter. I works great, is durable, etc but she struggles with getting it back in the box and has not quite grasped the concept of turning the handle yet. But the toy itself is great - I would just not recommend it for 18-24 mths. Average Rating: |
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Sock Monkey Jack-In-The-Box is a great addition to every child's toy chest. It is sure to bring a smile to every child's face. The tin box is a little over 5" tall and has a plush puppet. It plays "Pop Goes the Weasel"... |
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Sock Monkey Night Light |
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A whimsical monkey face night light to add a touch of light in your child's bedroom or bathroom. The perfect compliment to the Monkeying Around collection of sock monkeys from Seasons of Cannon Falls. Made of glass... |
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Sock Monkey Night Light |
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So adorable in his little pop-pom hat, our sock monkey night light is all heart. Made of acrylic, it has a swivel plug and easy on/off switch. (4-3/4) |
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Sleeping Monkey Night Light |
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All the rage Genuine Monkeez Sock monkeys. Night light features a sleepy sleeping monkey covered in his striped blankey and red night cap. Fun accent piece for any childs room. New for Seasons of Cannon Falls . |
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Trumpette Mary Jane Box SetReviewsI bought these for my granddaughter before she was walking/standing when she didn't need shoes. They were absolutely adorable! Now she is walking and I put them over her socks when she visits. Reason: she slips on the ceramic floor in socks but these have non-slip bottoms. Although she is getting big for them, they still work to keep her from slipping. Trumpette always has quality products, and they wash up extremely well! I do not ever throw the socks in the dryer. I think that keeps the elastic longer and from piling occuring more than just normal wear does. The shoe socks are very cute and come in an adorable package. I am very pleased. I must add that I recommend getting the larger size though, my daughter is 5 months and average sized, the 1-2 year size fits perfect. These socks are just adorable. I think they're expensive as far as socks go, but my son had a box of boys Trumpette socks that looked like sneakers so I just had to get a box of these Mary Jane socks for my daughter. I just love them and ordered them in pastel colors. They fit good and look very cute. Awesome item! The socks are very cute, overpriced, but cute. They are nicely made and a good quality. I bought the toddler 1-2 year size, and they are a little small. By that, I mean the black part that is the "Mary Jane", not the actual sock itself. My daughter wears a 6 Toddler, and the black barely covers the back of her foot. Something to definitely consider before you buy. Average Rating: |
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Six Pairs of Maryjane Socks in Six Colors That Come in a Beautiful Gift box. Machine Washable/Dryable. |
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Carter's 6 Pack Boys Monkey Comfy Fit Socks - Blue, 12-24 MonthsReviewsI wish that more than one pair had non slip soles! I saw in the picture that one pair did and assumed they all do. Only the monkey socks have sticky stuff on the bottom to keep baby from slipping on the wood floors. My little 13 month old grandson looks adorable in the Carter's socks. The socks are very soft and very colorful. Average Rating: |
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Carter's 6 Pack Girls Monkey Comfy Fit Socks -Pink/Brown, 3-12 Months |
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Sock Monkey KeychainReviewsVery cute mini sock monkey that you can take with you. This little guy will put a smile on your face whenever you grab your keys ~ not to mention make them easier to find. Average Rating: |
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Mini Baby Sock Monkey Key Chain or Zipper Pull. A little retro nostalgia from the 40's and 50's. |
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10 Little Sock MonkeysReviewsThis book is cute and contains very few words so it was easy enough for my two year old to sit through and enjoy. It does not contain a complicated story line like some of the other sock monkey books, it just counts down from ten, by twos. My little boy and I enjoyed counting the monkeys on each page and he's young enough that he didn't get confused by subtraction. He just enjoyed counting and seeing the monkeys in silly positions. I would recommend it as a fun, simple read for younger children. If you or someone you know is a "sock money" lover, this is a cute book to give. Appropriate for youngsters, but cute for adults as well. Does not, however, actually teach how to count if that's what you are looking for. I bought the sock money and wagon to go along with this book for my 3 yr olds xmas present. He thought it was so fun to have his sock monkey and read a book about him too. I love sock monkeys, so this title caught me attention. It counts down by 2's... 10, 8, 6, etc. so my 4 year old was totally confused. The pictures are cute. I wouldn't buy this again. Probably will donate this copy to the library. For my son's 1st birthday,we had a "monkey" theme. We gave hand-made sock monkeys as favors to his cousins, and we also gave this book. It was a perfect combination, and the kids loved it! Average Rating: |
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Ten little monkeys swinging on a bar; two let go and didn't fall far. It's a jungle gym in here, for 10 sock monkeys having a swinging time. Two by two, these increasingly popular and adorable creatures drop away, while all the rest continue to play... |
