Achieving artistry doesn’t necessarily require a myriad of materials. Sometimes constraints spur creativity and allow ingenuity to shine through. So it is with sock monkeys. With little more than a pair of humble heathery socks, loving grandmothers, artists, and all kinds of sewers have spawned creatures representing a variety of genders, emotions, occupations, and even species. Depending on the placement of button eyes, embroidered lashes, and embellishments on the wide, red mouth, a sock monkey can emulate sentiments ranging from tender wistfulness to panic.
The raw material for sock monkeys are Rockford Red Heels, socks that are currently made in Osage, Iowa, by Fox River Mills. The socks first appeared in 1932, when the Nelson Knitting Mills of Rockford, Illinois, added the red heels to differentiate their socks from those made by competitors. They named the heel the De-Tec-Tip. In 1951, when the company learned that crafters were turning De-Tec-Tip socks into stuffed animals, they started enclosing sock monkey instructions with each pair sold. Fox River continued the tradition (the pattern also includes instructions for a sock elephant) when it bought the assets of Nelson Knitting in 1992.
Left: Socks await toe stitching at Fox River MIlls. Right: One of Todd Thelen’s sock monkeys.
Of the 140 styles of socks that Fox River produces, Rockford Red Heels are the best sellers. Last year the company knitted and shipped more than 250,000 pairs. In addition to the traditional brown and white, Rockford Red Heels come in pink and blue, and in a kid’s size suitable for tiny monkeys. Fox River’s pattern book demonstrates that monkeys are just the tip of the critter-making iceberg: patterns include original drawings for sock squirrels, pigs, hobby horses, a dachshund, and numerous dolls and puppets.
Photo by Fox Fiver Mills
Left: A sewer works on a Nelson Red Heel cuff. Right: Nelson Red Heel sock display stand.
Sock monkeys appeal to simian fans of all ages, and so they show up in a multitude of forms. They’ve been the subject of comic books and children’s books, stars of a 1998 Super-8 film, I, Socky, and regularly appear on textiles, children’s clothing, wrapping paper, and in a Flickr pool with more than 3,000 sock monkey images. Rebecca Lessard (who calls herself Fox River Mills’s Vice President of Monkey Business) notes that while the popularity of sock monkeys has waxed and waned over the years, the life-sized sock monkey who took the wheel of a Kia-Sorento in a 2010 Superbowl ad attracted lots of monkey love. “Not a week goes by that we don’t get someone asking if we can sell them a human-sized monkey suit,” she says. (The answer is no. Because socks at Fox River Mills are knitted seamlessly, in the round, they don’t have equipment to knit the large, flat pieces used to create the costume. Fox River worked with another mill on the pattern, sourcing the appropriate rag yarn, to create the Kia-Sorento monkey.)
The red-heeled simians have also starred in numerous art exhibitions. Sock monkey collections have an appeal to those with an interest in outsider art, although collectors are as varied as the critters themselves. Some collect only monkeys wearing clothes. Others prefer critters that aren’t monkeys (the socktopus is a particular favorite). Todd Thelen, whose sock critters were photographed for this post, says he started amassing his collection of between 150 and 200 sock monkeys nearly 23 years ago. Why? Thelen says simply, “They’re hilarious.”
One of the best-documented collections belongs to Ron Warren. Photographer Arne Svenson, intrigued by Warren’s plentiful collection, photographed each monkey and included some in the book sock monkeys (200 out of 1,863). The large black and white portraits of individual monkeys grant each creature a space for personal expression, from a giddy, girly, peppermint-button-eyed critter to a jowly, lumpish-headed monkey lad. The photos provide ample demonstration that an extra stitch here or a bit of rickrack there is sometimes all it takes to create a sock monkey like no other.
Three years ago I stitched a sock monkey, but failed to follow the instructions. My monkey’s back is twisted, as though she has an orthopedic malady. I decided that her spine curvature could best be hidden if I sewed a skirt to hide the imperfection, and then I needed to make a buttonhole in the skirt for her tail to pop through. With sock monkeys, one thing leads to another. What starts as two simple socks can take on a life of its own.
154 comments
Sign in to add your ownJasmineLund says:
Wow, that's amazing!
1 year ago
SheppardHillDesigns says:
Who doesn't love a sock monkey?
1 year ago
VintageMarketPlace says:
so adorable I used to have a great vintage collection of monkeys but alas move after move they left me :(
1 year ago
emandbee says:
I love this post! Great collection of adorable monkeys!
1 year ago
ChrissiesRibbons says:
So cute!!
1 year ago
Tina7383 says:
I have bought a GREAT newborn sockmonkey toy from HOFFEEANDANUFFIN before. She is the last seller in the related items listing above. She made a custom size and I loved it . She is a great seller to work with and is very quick. Be sure to look in her shop because she has more that the sock monkey buttons listed = 0.
1 year ago
TipsyTimeMachine says:
I love Tony Millionaire's Uncle Gabby Sock Monkey, the star of the Sock Monkey books and Maakies! I've never made a sock monkey, back when I was a teen I made a sock doll for my little sister with an embroidered face. It looked a little frightening, I'm sure she would of preferred a monkey.
1 year ago
Littlezozo says:
some cute monkeys thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
LittleBirdWallArt says:
This is so cool! I love sock monkeys, they are absolutely adorable!
1 year ago
SeaGlassJournal says:
How can you look at a sock monkey and not smile?! Gary
1 year ago
blueflowervintage says:
Sock monkeys!!!!
1 year ago
WiggysStuff says:
Thank you for including Ernie's map reading card in your amazing article on sock monkeys! Thank you for writing the article as well!
1 year ago
squarejane says:
thanks! i adore sock monkeys and sew them, paint them, collect them and make costumes for people to BE them! can you tell that i am bananas for sock monkeys? [ j ]
1 year ago
weirdwares says:
Thanks for the fun article, I needed a good giggle! :D You're so right about constraints spurring creativity - I find some of my best ideas come from lacking a certain craft supply to do it the usual way! Emily :)
1 year ago
BoondockG says:
Nice read and sock monkeys ROCK!!
1 year ago
acuriousbrood says:
How you like me now.
1 year ago
maggiemaevintage says:
sooo cute!
1 year ago
WoodlandCottage says:
How sweet--I LOVE monkeys! Thanks for sharing with us.
1 year ago
VellasLittleThings says:
Right up my alley! Just started making crocheted sock monkey hats and listing them. They are so fun! Got my pattern from sockmonkeykook.etsy.com and I think it's the cutest one out there! :)
1 year ago
katlantis says:
imagine how comfy a sock monkey costume would be!
1 year ago
TheIDconnection says:
I just love SOCK monkeys - this is a wonderful story Monica TheIDConnection
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
love these. :)
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
So cute! =)
1 year ago
MothersMiniTreasures says:
I am falling in love with Sock Monkeys late in life!
1 year ago
InvitaPaperStudio says:
Awesome! I have a sock monkey that is 25 years old at least :)
1 year ago
CurioCabinet says:
Thanks for the great history lesson on sock monkeys. My grandma made one for my brother 50 years ago which my sister and I happily received as a hand-me-down when he outgrew it. It eventually disintegrated from all that love. Glad to see the tradition is alive and well!
1 year ago
choisette says:
i am the proud owner of 26 sock monkeys.
1 year ago
collectiblesatoz says:
What great childhood memories. Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
SoliDeoGloriaSDG says:
how fun!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
choisette - we're worried about you... great story, so cute, thanks
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Sock monkeys are super cute but I'd love to see a sock squirrel! Great article!
1 year ago
LakesEdge says:
I love the socktopus! Fantastic, very cute items :)
1 year ago
emwi says:
haha I like Sylvia!
1 year ago
CarryTheWord says:
So adorable!
1 year ago
ddfoto says:
So cute! Great story!
1 year ago
purpleandlime says:
thanks for including my Banana Necklace in the Related Items! I'm beyond honored....and how cool that the Sock Monkeys started in IL!? (and yay for primates!)
1 year ago
ThePolkadotMagpie says:
Who doesn't love a sock monkey?
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
We always had a sock monkey! Love them!
1 year ago
GlitzCouture says:
Oh my goodness, how WONDERFUL! I have always had a bond with these cute buddies, my mother always called me monkey, and I have a bunch of monkey memorabilia. THANK YOU for this wonderful blog!! SO enchanting! :)
1 year ago
ModernButtercup says:
I love sock monkeys! They're so cute! :)
1 year ago
rebourne says:
I never knew how prevalent sock monkeys are and I loved reading about their history!! I love bobo!!!! Great collection.
1 year ago
ACupOfSparkle says:
Super cute...
1 year ago
SnowDayArtist says:
Great article!! What is it about Sock Monkeys? - I was totally bitten by this bug this past winer. Check out my blog for knitted pics: (the 2 March entries) http://snowdayartist.blogspot.com/ ~(:(0) (surprised) -(:()) (happy)
1 year ago
littleshopofphotos says:
Very cool!!!
1 year ago
frommylifetoyours says:
sock monkeys are so cool !!!!!
1 year ago
BooPatch says:
Favorite scene from Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium is the one with the sock monkey reaching out to the mutant accountant :-) I have this awesome book all about how to make different kinds of sock monkey's and other animals out of errant socks and mittens...my kids love them!!
1 year ago
blessedvintage says:
You can't resist the cute!
1 year ago
figurativepie says:
Huzzah for sock monkeys!
1 year ago
Bumbleweedz says:
oh Darling!
1 year ago
Bumbleweedz says:
oh Darling!
1 year ago
ValintheValley says:
I have learned a lot about sock monkeys here ! Love the wedding couple aww. Now it makes me want to have a try at it. Thanks for this fun article! Val
1 year ago
HappyGirlzDesigns says:
Hilarious! I am still chuckling. The dressed monkey next to the elephant and the "socktopus" is so ugly, that it is truly cute! Nice history on the monkey . . . thanks for the laugh.
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
This is so cute monkey:O)
1 year ago
mountainvintage says:
Such a good article. This reminds me I have a very old Sock Monkey and sock Kangaroo that I should list on Etsy.
1 year ago
WhisperingOak says:
So interesting and so lovely monkeys
1 year ago
theroyal says:
that sock monkey just wont die
1 year ago
wuggabird says:
We adore our sock monkey clan here in The Rainforest :)
1 year ago
GrandmasStash says:
thank you for a great article!
1 year ago
quabbinhill says:
Love the sock monkey! classic.
1 year ago
EllaBands says:
Love this! Love sock monkeys. :)
1 year ago
cjbcollectibles says:
What a classic. You have to love the sock monkey...or and monkey for that matter.
1 year ago
ekra says:
There was a woman from Milwaukee that shows how to make a sock monkey costume out of sweaters on HGTV: http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/sock-monkey-costume/index.html She wore it to Art vs. Craft in Milwaukee once and it was a HIT!
1 year ago
MapleMondays says:
I love sock monkeys and all the other critters that can be made with socks :)
1 year ago
tedandlucy says:
Gotta love monkeys! Sock monkey stuff is a best-seller for me ... check out my stuff on this site as well ... full of monkeys! http://www.everythingmonkeys.com/ ~ K
1 year ago
BijoDesigns says:
My FAVORITE version of the sock monkey comes from Outlaw Heart Creations in Canada. I've already bought 2 and am in love! http://www.etsy.com/listing/72180708/made-to-order-customizable-zombie?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=zombie+sock+monkey&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
1 year ago
theroyalvintage says:
good old sock monkey...
1 year ago
heidibg says:
Love that crazy sock monkey. This is great! Thanks. :)
1 year ago
sarahndipities says:
Fun article! It's kinda cool to get the history behind the socks that started it all!!
1 year ago
SugarCubeVintage says:
sock monkey, that funky monkey!
1 year ago
cbbiggio says:
Indeed, simplicity is exclusivity....I love that!!!...these sock monkeys are great!...I believe few people in the world would dare to offer a sock monkey as a gift...I would love to receive one, because it would remind me my time as a child, when simple things were the best for me!
1 year ago
CitygatePR3131 says:
I LOVE sock monkeys! When my son, a Marine, was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan I made him a custom monkey to take along. It has a little red flat top (my son's hair is red), a USMC tat on his back (just like my sons), and cammo pants, they call them "cammies" Monkey is safely back in the states for a while and lives on an airbase in Arizona with my Marine :-)
1 year ago
earthgarden says:
Yay for sock monkeys! Its been way too long since I had one, Im ready for my new sock monkey!
1 year ago
kararane says:
fun! & so true- work with the materials U have,,B creative* lucky 2 b YOU.
1 year ago
DejaK says:
How awesome!
1 year ago
stitchingbevy says:
I love sock monkeys! I've made so many. Did you know that there is a Sock Monkey Festival in Rockford, il every March? You can even sign up to make your own while you are there. It is a must for Sock Monkey lovers.
1 year ago
stitchingbevy says:
I love sock monkeys! I've made so many. Did you know that there is a Sock Monkey Festival in Rockford, il every March? You can even sign up to make your own while you are there. It is a must for Sock Monkey lovers.
1 year ago
wearebandits says:
these are amazing! also, congrats on the sly blog title.
1 year ago
cindylouwho2 says:
we have a small collection of sock monkeys here, including a lampwork glass bead made by an Etsy seller, http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBeadYouNeed It hangs from the rear view mirror!
1 year ago
NoelaniAvantrix says:
No sock squirrels here, but I have plenty of other species around. Those Red Heel socks are hard to find outside the internet, though. I usually use whatever I can grab from thrift stores or friends who are cleaning out closets. Makes for some very colourful personalities. Here's the one sock animal I made from the red heels, and it wasn't even a monkey! http://www.etsy.com/listing/66500438/
1 year ago
JanesSundayBest says:
Great hearing the history behind the creation. I've made sock dogs and really enjoyed being able to create personality along the way. Love what you are doing.
1 year ago
bigbluebed says:
I had never heard of sock monkeys before joing etsy. But they are very cute.
1 year ago
Marumadrid says:
Monkey socks are like "plushies grandpas" ;)
1 year ago
carolinesboutique says:
I love sock monkeys! My children all got sock monkey pj's for Christmas and I'm making sock monkey leg warmers for my 5 month old granddaughter right now! :)
1 year ago
TheFabricVineyard says:
I love Sock Monkeys. I had one as a child. Sock Monkey fabric is some of my most popular fabric. Loved this article.
1 year ago
dnatoli says:
This is the first gift I buy newborns for family and friends. My 35-year-old daughter still has her sock monkey. It had seen better days, but she loved her so much she had her mended and now she's like brand new. Not many things nowadays you can say that about!
1 year ago
AdeloCreations says:
incredible cuteness!!!
1 year ago
ShoponSherman says:
LOL! I smiled and laughed when I saw the post. A good way to start the day!
1 year ago
WeeBindery says:
I love sock monkeys! This was an adorable article!
1 year ago
THEMONKEYSHOP says:
Awe I would of love to see my modern soft machine washable sock monkeys on here. Great story I loved it.
1 year ago
thevelvetheart says:
Loved reading this history! Remembering how our granmothers, etc could make something out of nothing is so inspiring!
1 year ago
ALilLoopy says:
What a great read! I am fascinated by sock monkeys and their massive appeal!!!
1 year ago
JewelsbyJasmin says:
So fun to learn a bit of the history behind the sock monkey~
1 year ago
YellowBugBoutique says:
What a great article! Love knowing the history behind craft crazes. Wonder who made the very first one?
1 year ago
Jungle says:
I loved my little sock monkey as a kid ^_^
1 year ago
kathyjohnson3 says:
My grandmother used to make us sock monkeys as kids, this brings back so many fond memories, thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
StudioSJS says:
I can't sleep without my sock monkey, Sock Miko Sover. :)
1 year ago
justmejewelry says:
very cute
1 year ago
HandyDuo says:
lovely monkeys!
1 year ago
shop1848 says:
Adorable!!
1 year ago
ConvergedCommodities says:
sock it to me sock it to me sock it to me
1 year ago
Oldylocks says:
I love sock monkeys!
1 year ago
meandsis says:
Wonderful sock monkeys! Great ideas!
1 year ago
ArtsofEska says:
There is something so fun and fresh about a sock monkey compared to the other stuffed animals flooding the market. I made one for my daughter when she turned 2 and I plan on doing the same for my son.
1 year ago
TripleGemini says:
I LOVE this!!! Brings back so many memories. My mother used to makes sock monkey dolls and when I was a baby she made me a sock monkey outfit and put me in the middle of all the sock monkey dolls for a photograph. Sock monkey are a classic DIY Craft and its so great to see them represented on Etsy!!
1 year ago
maggiem09 says:
This is an adorable article. I want a sock monkey now. :]
1 year ago
beachglassshop says:
Sock monkeys - great memories!
1 year ago
Shhbang says:
I love it too. I am the sock monkey costume maker. TripleGemini, I thought she was embarrassed when she was younger so lovely to hear her response to your article. Sock Monkeys bring peace and love.
1 year ago
GabriellaFiabane says:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62762526/sock-monkey-zen-bw-photo
1 year ago
BellaPuzzlesToo says:
Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning!
1 year ago
dillonsgirl says:
I just started making sock monkey beanies and the cutest sock monkey blanket I will be listing in a few days.
1 year ago
adessojewelry says:
Absolutely fabulous! Love this post....thanks for the cheer!
1 year ago
ethniquetrendy says:
cool!
1 year ago
RomanceCatsAndWhimsy says:
That was a fun article - fascinating and very cute monkey's. I love Sylvia!
1 year ago
bedouin says:
too ~ cute
1 year ago
aleahb says:
totally cute!
1 year ago
JustColor says:
So creative and cute.
1 year ago
MeShells108 says:
cute cute
1 year ago
FoxRiverSox says:
Thanks for writing the article Linzee! It was great to meet you and Emily. We had a great time showing you the sock making process and talking about the sock monkey and the Original Rockford Red Heel® Monkey Sock. For any of you who are interested in buying monkey socks and our new Pattern Book directly from the manufacturer, visit us at www.foxsox.com.
1 year ago
SailThouForth says:
I never saw a sock elephant before - he's cute!
1 year ago
MorganNichole says:
Love sock monkey! Congrats on your interview.
1 year ago
VerukaDollsLand says:
Up with monkeys!
1 year ago
loranscruggs says:
I use to have a hobby horse made out of these socks, what a great article.
1 year ago
helenerslev says:
Now all they need is some vintage bling!
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
I love it!
1 year ago
bluewater607 says:
great post! I have some sock monkeys on my site also. Take a look!!
1 year ago
yesstreen says:
BRAVO!!
1 year ago
yesstreen says:
BRAVO!!
1 year ago
Countrymouse923 says:
Sock monkeys are so unique. It was fun to read about their history. Thanks:)
1 year ago
stufd says:
Great read! I love the closing line "What starts as two simple socks can take on a life of its own" - SO TRUE!
1 year ago
RoyalFelt says:
Adorable!!
1 year ago
soapz says:
A few years ago I made a bunch of sock dogs. It's so easy to do and you can embellish them with al kinds of things, jewellery, buttons.. These monkeys are also very cute!
1 year ago
hoffeeandanuffin says:
FANTASTIC article! Very informative and full of history. I'm delighted to see my sock monkey stitch markers included in the featured collection and would like to suggest 'Sock Monkey Dreams' (found at Etsy shop 'SocksFifthAvenue') to those who enjoy reading.
1 year ago
TheScarfTree says:
So cute! Love these :)
1 year ago
jennerosity says:
My sister is deathly afraid of sock monkeys, or any kind of monkeys, for that matter. too many horror movies, I guess. I can't wait to show her this article!
1 year ago
AKingsThings says:
The sock monkey is the Real Energizer Bunny! He goes on and on and on...
1 year ago
GldnRamMtlsmithing says:
I want one again!
1 year ago
jsanderso says:
Monkies! I had one as a child; I have 5 now!
1 year ago
handknitted4you says:
Very nice! That's the first time I've read or heard the history behind those cute monkeys. Thank you!
1 year ago
charlenesbags says:
Wow, a great collection of moneys. I had a sock monkey when I was a child.
1 year ago
KristyLynnJewelry says:
So adorable, what a great collection!
1 year ago
littledarlynns says:
great article. Back in the day ( & I mean way back in the day) they taught girls how to make sock monkey dolls in home economic classes. Don't even know if that is a required subject anymore. Anyway, loved your article.
1 year ago
girliepains says:
Wow! to death !
1 year ago
OhRita says:
I have loved Sock Monkey since I was a young girl. My parents had 6 kids and the first time I ever saw one I remember asking my mom for it. She said "We can't afford it." I always still wanted one for years and years. One day shortly after my first son was born I found the socks and a pattern on sale through some cataloge for toys that helped kids learn skills other than playing video games. This one taught you to sew. I bought it and made my son his sock monkey. He still has it and took it when he left home and got married. I make them for all my friends and their kids. I even made myself one last year....after all those years of wanting one for myself. Sock monkey lives on....forever. :)
1 year ago
GinnArt says:
I love sock monkeys! What a great vintage piece.
1 year ago
TidbitsOfColor says:
I love sock monkeys. I made one from a kit with slippers on and holding a teddy bear of felt. Now I'll have to try different animals out. Thanks for the inspiration!
1 year ago
HuntersvilleTile says:
Cute! Love them!
1 year ago
vintagenelly says:
I've always loved these - too cute photo of all those little monkeys together!! Fun article!!!
1 year ago
MonkeySprinkle says:
Super Awesome Linzee! Thanks for all the great history and for sharing your pictures. Monkeys RULE!
1 year ago
redhardwick says:
Love the monkeys! Thanks for sharing. :)
1 year ago
AltogetherLeather says:
Great post! I loved reading about sock monkeys (I've got several of my own and have made a few too!). :D
1 year ago
PiecesOfOlde says:
Love your article! I have a small collection that I have collected over the years. Mine are dolls and monkeys and elephants made out of socks. Some of the socks are probably Pre-Rockford Red Heels socks.....very old. I love the ingenuity of creating these toys out of the materials available at the time. I've made these monkeys too out of the red heeld socks...it's not as easy as it looks! But what fun!
1 year ago
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1 year ago
mcrob86 says:
I have never seen animal sock critters other than the monkeys. These are so cute!!
1 year ago
karenkcs says:
Is there anyone out there that makes goods on this website that would make sock monkey curtains? I got a crib bedding set from someone on this website but she never answered me back about making curtains. There's everything under the sun for sock monkeys but some cute curtains!! Let me know, thanks
299 days ago