Sock Monkey Day is celebrated on March 7! A sock monkey is a stuffed monkey created from hosiery in the shape of a monkey. These stuffed objects in the United States and Canada are a combination of folk art and silliness. Sock monkeys with brown and white fur have exceptionally long limbs, long tails, and bright scarlet lips. It is possible to add decorations to the animal’s cranium and neck. The character has permeated popular culture, appearing in comic books and artwork.
The background of Sock Monkey Day
The Victorians are the most probable predecessors responsible for the sock monkey date. During this time period, the demand for replica plush animals spread from Europe to North America, where it collided with the burgeoning Arts and Crafts movement. As the public’s knowledge of exotic animals increased due to the Scramble for Africa, artisans began creating stuffed trinkets for children. Eventually, stuffed primates became a common sight in many American nurseries.
It is believed that the first sock monkey was made from Rockford Red Heel hosiery during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Refuting claims suggests that the 1950s is a better estimate. Several sources assert that Helen Cooke received a patent for sock monkeys in 1953. Too unfortunate we can’t ask the monkeys.
John Nelson received a patent for sock knitting devices in 1869 and subsequently founded The Nelson Knitting Company. Red Heel Socks were introduced in 1890 and were predominantly worn by factory workers and farmers. In the 1930s, a client allegedly created a Sock Monkey from a pair of Red Heel Socks and sent it to Nelson Knitting Mills.
Being huge fans of the stuffed animals, the mill began selling pairs of Red Heel Socks with Sock Monkey guides. The Red Heel Sock Monkey was quite prevalent in the United States for the succeeding decades.
Sock monkeys have become one of the most popular presents for anniversaries, birthdays, and graduations, among other significant occasions. Since then, depictions have appeared in photographs, literature, greeting cards, and other forms of media.
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SOCK MONKEY DAY ACTIVITIES
Construct one
Create a sock primate in honour of the holiday. Unleash your imagination and create designs that have never been seen before.
Donate a sock monkey
Sock monkeys make excellent gifts. If you give someone a woolly companion, you can rest assured that they won’t soon forget it.
Explain how to create one
Are you an expert on sock monkeys? Why not instruct someone in its construction? The greater the number of primates, the better.
5 SOCK-RELATED FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
The origins of the term “sock” are both Greek and Latin.
Historically, animal skins were used to create socks.
Each year, misplaced hosiery cost their owners hundreds of dollars.
Einstein detested socks and from an early age refused to wear them.
Once upon a time, Europeans of the upper class regarded silk hosiery as a status symbol.
SOCK MONKEY DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 7 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | March 7 | Thursday |
| 2025 | March 7 | Friday |
| 2026 | March 7 | Saturday |
| 2027 | March 7 | Sunday |