Sock Monkeys, Free Sewing Patterns

Here you will find free sewing patterns for sock monkeys. They have been a favorite with both children and adults for over 100 years. They are created with red heeled socks. I'll include both the history of the sock monkey and some sites to find free patterns that you can use.

My great-grandmother sewed the monkeys for us when I was so young that I wasn't in school yet. She wasn't a young grandmother and didn't live close, so getting something she had sewed herself was special for us. Ever since, they have appealed to me. If you create some for your children or grandchildren, I"m sure you'll become fond of them yourself. .

There are sock monkey collectors and of course children still love them. They are being dressed in all sorts of clothing and each one is prized.

No one knows who created the first sock monkey, but it is known that they were created with red heeled socks from the Nelson Knitting Mills in Rockford, Illinois. John Nelson was a Swedish immigrant that invented the first sock knitting machine. The company started in 1890 making socks, but the red heel wasn't included until 1932. The heel was changed so the sock was recognizable from the socks of other companies, because the they became so popular that they were being copied. At that time they were known as Rockfords.

These socks were comfortable and became popular with working men in factories and with farmers, because they were so warm. I can remember my Dad wearing them as he farmed in the fields. The Rockfords were well made and lasted a long time.

At first, many of the stuffed toys were being made from worn-out socks. Later they were created with new ones as they gained popularity.

.When adding the red heel, the company never realized that they would make the sock popular for making stuffed toys. In 1951, the company started including the instructions for the toys with every pair of socks purchased.

The Fox River Mills purchased the sock company in 1992. Instructions for the red heeled sock monkey are still included. These are now a little harder to find, but if you have problems finding them, the company sells them online.

Just click on the blue titles to go to the pattern and instruction pages.

If you know how to crochet, Red Heart yarn offers free instructions for a sock monkey crocheted with yarn and a matching child's hat.

Included here are instructions for a vintage and modern and monkey. You'll find the elephant pattern for socks too.

This monkey is created just like the red heeled monkey, but it is made from striped socks. The heel on the sock is solid, so it still works well for the mouth of the monkey.

If you're a real sock monkey fan, you might want to crochet this hat. It fits a size newborn to 3 month baby. It uses worsted weight yarn and a size G hook.

If you are having any problems finding the socks, Fox River Mills has an online site. I searched for these socks for years. I'm happy to have found the site myself. They also offer kits that are pre-cut. It is still less expensive to cut-out your own.