Where Can I Buy Socks to Make Monkey
Characters
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Have you recently found yourself muttering aloud in your spare time, "Where can I buy socks to make monkey characters?" First you should determine the type of sock you need to make your sock monkey. From there, you can experiment with different materials to give each monkey a different look or personality.
Perhaps once you get the hang of it, you'll want to try out non-traditional "sock monkey socks." Start out simple at first, then branch out into other materials once you nail down where to find the basics and how to use them well.
The Socks
The traditional sock monkey is made of two Rockford Red Heel socks originally from Nelson Knitting Mills, but now Fox River Mills. These are typically brown heather or blue heather socks with white markings at the top, heel, and toe. In addition, there is red at the heel, which becomes the sock monkey's grinning mouth.
Other Materials You'll Need
- Scissors
- Stuffing (you can use old nylons to cut corners on cost)
- Yarn
- Black thread (embroidery thread works great; you need it to be sturdy)
- A sewing machine helps, but it isn't necessary if you don't mind doing the stitching by hand
- Eyes, buttons, and anything else you'd like to add to your creation
Where Can I Buy Socks to Make Monkey Characters Answered
You're in pursuit of Rockford Red Heel socks once you're ready to make your "real" sock monkey rather than a tester. The original Rockford Red Heel socks were created by Nelson Knitting Mills in Rockford, Illinois, and meant to be work socks. However, it only took roughly twenty years (from their creation in 1880 until the early 1900s) for them to gain a new identity—as sock monkeys.
Mothers made them for their children so frequently that in 1920, Nelson Knitting Mills actually began including the instructions for making sock monkeys with their product. You can still find those instructions with Rockford Red Heel socks today despite the sale of the company to Fox River Mills.
There are a few color variations to the socks, but the overall look is the same. You can get brown red heel socks or blue red heel socks at SuperSockMonkey.com. Want to make quite a few? No problem. Just order the value pack.
You can get the same color options at the Sock Company. They recommend purchasing the large size to make the traditional sock monkey and the small size to make the sock monkey's kids.
Other spots to check online include:
- Sock Crafts
- Sock Monkey
- Collector Connection
- Fox Sox (you can even purchase a pre-made sock monkey here)
- Monkey Goods
- Even eBay and Amazon!
Sometimes when you purchase a pair of Rockford Red Heel socks, you'll see an option to purchase a "how-to" book. Generally, the socks will come with instructions for making the sock monkey, but if you want to learn how to make a sock elephant or other toys, the book may be worth ordering to you.
A Final Word
Sock monkeys have been around for about a century, but they still have quite the appeal today, whether they come in brown heather or blue heather. Once you get the hang of it, be prepared to make them for all of the kids you know.
So if you've been asking yourself, "Where can I buy socks to make monkey characters?" now you know. Mix the characters up with different hats, eyes, buttons, and even colors and sizes to create a whole sock monkey family for your kids, your friends, or just for your own amusement.
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This page has been accessed 1,215 times. This page was last modified 06:55, 1 February 2009.
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