Whats the story behind sock monkey dolls?
The beloved sock monkey doll owes its origins to the The Nelson Knitting Company of Rockford, Illinois. Nelson Knitting was founded in 1852 by John Nelson, a Swedish immigrant, who patented the first sock knitting machines. Nelson Knitting was famous for their Red Heel socks, sturdy, comfortable work socks worn mainly by farmers and factory workers and distinguished by, you guessed it, a bright red heel. In the early 20th century, mothers began crafting stuffed toys out of Red Heel socks. The sock monkey became the most popular design to make. When Nelson Knitting caught wind of the sock-monkey madness that was sweeping the nation, they won the design patent for the sock monkey pattern and started including it with every pair of Red Heel socks.
