Saturday, August 1, 2009

Things we like—6th Annual Sock Monkey Madness Festival.


























Who could resist such an event? More here. Much as I’ve loved sock monkeys for ages, I did not know many specifics about their origins. (Photo by Thomas H. Durand, who as far as I know, has no affiliation with the SMM Festival...just liked his picture)

“The Nelson Knitting Company of Rockford manufactured and sold Rockford Red Heel work socks from 1932 to 1992 which were used starting in the Great Depression to create a folk art sock monkey stuffed toy. Aware of the sock monkey craze, Nelson Knitting included the sock monkey doll pattern with each pair of Rockford Red Heel Socks sold starting in the early 1950's. In recent years, the sock monkey has gained a come back and is sold in department and specialty stores world wide. However, the interest in creating a uniquely American handmade doll from Rockford Red Heel Socks is still around to this day.The Nelson Knitting Company of Rockford manufactured and sold Rockford Red Heel work socks from 1932 to 1992 which were used starting in the Great Depression to create a folk art sock monkey stuffed toy. Aware of the sock monkey craze, Nelson Knitting included the sock monkey doll pattern with each pair of Rockford Red Heel Socks sold starting in the early 1950's. In recent years, the sock monkey has gained a come back and is sold in department and specialty stores world wide. However, the interest in creating a uniquely American handmade doll from Rockford Red Heel Socks is still around to this day.”