Photo © Nelson Knitting Company
We’ve all seen them. Maybe we own one. Perhaps a few of us have even made one. The classic, iconic sock monkey. How many of us know the story, though?
John Nelson, a Swedish immigrant and the founder of Nelson’s Knitting Company in Rockford, Illinois made very popular work socks which were unique at the time because the heel was seamless! They were so popular they simply became known as “Rockfords.” American crafters began using worn-out Rockfords during the Great Depression to craft Sock Monkeys, a great way to repurpose a worn out utilitarian item into a lovable, huggable children’s toy.
Photo © Petite Purls
Today sock monkeys remain popular with people of all ages. Jessica M. Anderson was inspired by her four little monkeys to create Go Bananas! Jessica used three Spud & Chloë Sweater colors to match the iconic Nelson Knitting Company colors, then gave them special details that she knew each child would like, such as bows for her tiniest gal!
Photo © Petite Purls (Three of Jessica’s monkeys!)
The Details
Pattern: Go Bananas!
Designer: Jessica M. Anderson
Size: 18 months (2, 4, 6)
Needles: Size 6 (4mm) 24″ circular needle, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size 6 (4mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
Yarn: Spud & Chloë Sweater, shown in Chocolate Milk #7524, Ice Cream #7500, Barn #7518
Pattern can be found in Petite Purls, Issue 14
Design Coordinator extraordinaire and resident social butterfly, keeping you up to date on her wee cousin Chloë and her pal Spud. Find her musings at 
I would love the pattern for these sweaters. It would be wonderful to see sock monkeys in every child’s toy box. They are so precious! The sweaters are just wonderful!!
The pattern for the sweater, Go Bananas! is available: http://petitepurls.com/2013/14/p_14_bananas.html I hope that helps. Happy Weekend!
Hi,
this is just beautiful! Thanks you so much. I have added a link to the pattern at http://www.knittingpatterndesigns.com/
thanks again!
Tara.