the blue blog archives: i love sock monkeys!

We all know I love those sock monkeys on the funky monkey fabrics by Moda. Did you know that in addition to having prints with those funny little monkeys, prints that look like knitted socks (see my post yesterday), and even prints with bandages (for when the monkeys bump their heads!), there is also a panel with the whole "5 little monkeys jumping on the bed" story? Knitbuddy Johanna got the panel for wee one for Christmas and last week I sewed it up into a book for her.

Like the "Little Engine that Could" panel that I used to make a fabric book for Shannon's baby, this one wasn't set up to be made into a book. It required a little extra cutting and rearranging (but only a little as the story is MUCH shorter!). Since I was already doing the extra couple of steps, I decided to make a fun binding for the book's pages with the dotted fabric surrounding the story squares.

This last little monkey on the bed is my favorite, along with the dizzy one on the back cover. Will those funny funky monkeys never learn from their mistakes?

Now wee one has her sock monkey book, but is that enough for me? Oh no. Two weeks ago when I went to NYC and visited Purl Patchwork, the woman working in the store as we came in just happened to be cutting up fat quarters of all their funky monkey fabric to sell as fabric bundles. I didn't need any more encouragement than that! I got a funky monkey fat quarter bundle and have also picked up some fat quarters of the follow-up line called Monkey n' Around, where the sock monkeys return to bounce on pogo sticks and play jacks.

I've already started cutting pieces to make this quilt because it just looks like so much fun. Man I love those sock monkeys!

PS - Attention all sock junkies: a little bird told me that Sunshine Yarns has started a new website and Dani is kicking things off with a ton of new Harry Potter colorways like Gillyweed and my favorite, Weasleys Wizard Wheezes! They look so great! All this fabulous sock yarn and all these cute sock monkeys are making me want to knit socks again....(yes, yes, more on that to come later this week!)

posted by alison at 4:08 pm | in 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed , sew baby

Comments

Oh Gosh! Thanks for the tip about the Harry Potter colorways!!!

Posted by: Lindsey at January 29, 2008 4:18 PM

That is a very cute quilt.

Posted by: Katie B. at January 29, 2008 5:12 PM

I luv sock monkeys too!
Right now I'm knitting my adult son a blanket that replicates the work sock colours. A simple 3 x 3 rib that carries one red and white stripe @ each end.
Will get some of this fabulous fabric and make pj bottoms to send with it.
Thanks for the great ideas!

Posted by: Maureen at January 29, 2008 5:34 PM

Oh, I remember when the sock monkeys were in their first incarnation--or at least their 1950's incarnation. My cousin had a ratty one--ratty because she sucked its legs and arms. Urgh. I never liked those guys due to her mutilation of her money. But yours are very cute and the fabric is great!

Posted by: gail at January 29, 2008 5:37 PM

How adorable. I just received a gift prize of a sock monkey from Melle.ca for NaBlogPoMo. Check it out. It's really cute. I think she sells them if you're looking for one to match your fabric!

Posted by: Jennifer at January 29, 2008 7:09 PM

You should totally check out threadless.com
They sell t-shirts that are designed by artists that send in their art work. Last week (or was it the week before?) they had a new t-shirt with a sock monkey attacking a sock dragon. I think every knitter or maker of sock monkeys needs this shirt!

Posted by: nikkapotamus at January 29, 2008 7:37 PM

I love the quilt fabric! I've been eying up the monkey fabric for awhile. Definitely going to have to get the book panel. Fat quarter shop is fabulous, isn't? They have great stuff and their customer service is great.

The yarn is gorgeous - I'm having a hard time resisting the dobby...

Posted by: Kati at January 29, 2008 8:05 PM

We love the monkey too! I found sock monkey overalls, one in a yellow background and one in a red background for my babies. If I was better at the sewing machine I would make some more...it would certainly cost less!

Posted by: Stacey at January 30, 2008 9:17 AM

You lead me astray every single day. If it's not yarn, it's fabric. Now I have to go find monkey's at Purl. My wallet hates you (but the rest of my fiber-craving self loves you!)

Posted by: Katie at January 30, 2008 10:02 AM

The book is adorable! (I've always loved the rhyme).

Have you seen the sock monkey Christmas stocking?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sock-monkey-stocking

Posted by: OzKnitter at January 31, 2008 7:56 AM