Red Heel

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Red Heel Monkey Socks originated in Rockford, IL. John Nelson invented a sock-knitting machine in 1869. His company, Nelson Knitting (and later Forect City Manufacturing) became famous for their red heel socks and later known as Monkey Socks. The monkey sock doll toys were very popular with the children. In the 1940s and ’50s, Ed Eisner, president of Forest City, would send 50 dozen pairs of the red-heeled socks to nuns in Wisconsin for Christmas. The nuns turned the socks into monkey dolls to raise money. Due to this popularity, Eisner then approached the Sears stores to include a doll pattern with each of the seamless work socks they sold. With this success, Nelson Knitting then approached Montgomery Ward to do the same with its stock of red-heeled socks. In 1953 the town of Rockford acquired patents for both the red-heeled socks and the dolls. A special exhibit on the sock monkey can be found at the Rockford's Midway Village & Museum Center. You may have already seen the 7-foot-2 stuffed monkey which was created by Dee “Sock Monkey Lady” Linder. It took Linder 42 hours to construct the monkey “Nelson” using 44 red-heeled socks. Nelson, who weighs 15 pounds, has traveled all over the country with appearances on the Today show and Good Morning America. In 1992, Fox River Mills, Inc. acquired the monkey sock company - Nelson Knitting of Rockford, IL. The Red Heel sock isn't just for making dolls, it is also for keeping your feet comfortable and warm.