Introducing Witchy's Grimoire

As a creature of magic, Witchy keeps a very special book of spells called a Grimoire.  Witchy keeps notes of her most precious spells, amulets and talisman within this book. 

She can be quite misunderstood in her ways so Witchy would like to start to share her story with others, in the hope that people start to open their minds to the beautiful nature of witch craft.  Look out for more about Witchy coming soon.  

In the mean time, happy spell casting!

When Witchy Met Froggy

Witchy and Froggy have been inseparable since they met many many years ago on a swamp.  Witchy was out looking for ingredients for one of her potions when she heard a tiny 'ribbet ribbet' coming from the water and went over to investigate.  There, sat happily on a lily pad, was baby Froggy!  He hopped into her basket and off they went home together.

Froggy has been Witchy's familiar ever since.  Being a familiar means that he helps her with her magic spells.  Froggy is her beloved and trusted companion and never leaves her side.

They are growing old gracefully together and keeping up with the times and are rather partial to an occasional pouty selfie! 

New Characters Under Development

As ever, it's all go in the 'Mary Monkey and Friends' development departments.  

Granny M is working on a new character for the books and Jo is working on another new sock monkey friend for Mary.  

Just like Santa's elves in their workshop throughout the year, we are busy knitting and sewing little creatures to create new characters for you to enjoy and make part of your lives and memories as we enjoy having them as part of ours. 

I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone involved for your support and for helping to start our new adventure together!

Growing Family

It's been another busy evening in our house!  The sock monkey family is ever expanding here with lots of new characters to share adventures with me in my next books.  I will soon be introducing more of my sock friends who may not all be monkeys...!

My new friends don't grow on trees; some are the result of lots of care and patients from Jo our creative director and photographer or Granny M who bought Christmas Bear to life or Mumsie (Yvonne) who bought Witchey into our lives.  Both Granny M and Mumsie are gifted with a talent for knitting.  This is not a talent that Jo possesses, unless the creature happens to be square - Owl.  Jo specialises  in monkeys but is branching out to design different sock creatures who I will be able to introduce you to soon.  In the mean time, I have been patiently awaiting the arrival of Woolly Monkey...

Almost there...

Hello Woolly Monkey!  Welcome to the family!

The cast - Introducing Witchey

I'd like to introduce my good friend Witchey!

She is both a member of our cast and also a good friend.  People can sometimes be nervous around her but she is the most kind hearted of souls.  She may be green and cast the occasional spell (for good) but there is no need to fear her.  Let me tell you Witchey's story...

Witchey was born on the 31st of October and grew up in a small town called Burley in the New Forest renowned for it's history of witch craft and folklore, including a milk drinking dragon!

She didn't have many friends at school but those she did have were very special to her and have stood by her through good and bad times.  Sometimes it is hard when you are a bit different to the other children but when you find your kindred spirits, you should hold on to them forever.

Witchey has a spells degree from witch college and she enjoys nothing more than snuggling in with her favorite meal frogs legs and eye of newt soup with a good spell book.

Here is the gang preparing Witchey for her latest photo shoot.  We all work as a team here; just like one big family.

Thank you to Witchey for sharing your story with us, Mary Monkey x

The History of Sock Monkeys

As sock monkeys, Woolly Monkey and I wanted to find out more about our history and ancestors.  I suppose you could say that we are not traditional sock monkeys because we don't have the tell tale red mouth that you see on 'vintage red heel' sock monkeys but we are all the same in spirit!  So this is what we found out...

In 1868 in a place called Rockford, Illinois, a Swedish man called John Nelson designed a machine to make socks.  His sock making business grew into the Nelson Knitting Company where they made the 'Nelson Sock'.  In around 1932, John's son, Franklin Nelson designed a machine that could make seamless socks that went on to be known as the 'Rockford Red Heel'.  When the socks were worn out they were used to create our original ancestors with their traditional red mouths during the Great Depression to comfort children all across America. 

Love Mary and Woolly Monkey x