Hi, my name is Julie and I live in Poole, Dorset near the coast. I am married with 2 children and have 2 grandchildren. My hobby, for more years than I care to remember, has always been dressmaking. However, at the end of 2008 I decided to look for something different to make and after searching the world wide web, found some American craft sites for sock toys. These were mainly monkeys, and so I decided to look into it a bit further to find out more of the history of this craft ........

It seems that in America during the 1880's the Nelson Knitting Co was the first company worldwide to manufacture socks. They were sturdy and comfortable and worn by farmers and factory workers. These quality socks were intended to be used as work socks, but they became much more when, back in the 1900's, mothers started crafting them into monkeys and other toys for their children to play with, and so the SOCK MONKEY was born ! The original socks were grey tweed with a white and red heel (this part became the mouth) and so all the monkeys looked the same. However, with the variety of socks that can be bought today, there are an infinite number of different coloured toys that can be made.

My first efforts in making one of these toys (called Godfrey by my grandson) was reasonable but not good enough for selling. After getting through several more pairs of socks, and having monkeys with wonky ears or crooked mouths, I eventually perfected them to a high enough standard to sell on this site. I didn't want to limit myself to just monkeys, so I experimented and came up with other toys and unusual creatures as well, and they are so much fun to make as you never know quite how they will turn out. Each toy takes on it's own unique character as it is made, and they are all completely original, sometimes strange, whimsical, but always charming and very cuddly!

The smaller toys make good "computer buddies", and others could be used as car mascots. Children love the bright coloured toys, and find them very 'squishy' and a delight to hold, and in the case of the monsters, they love their unusual appearance! So, please take look at the Gallery and I am sure that you won't be able to resist placing an order- or two - which would be sent out to you within 1-2 days from receipt of payment.