Review: Stupid Sock Creatures Book & Kit
Jan142008
Stupid Sock Creatures by John Murphy tells you how to make bizarre and frightening sock . . . things.
The first 37 pages of the book are about the zen of creature making along with basic skils. The next 65 are detailed instructions on how to make eight specific creatures, Jordan, Owlsley, Red Wetty, Wronky, Estelle, Syd, Claude, and Genevieve, with a short description of the creature’s life philosophy (“Jordan is confident that you will utterly screw up this pattern. In fact, he’s slept very little over the course of the week anticipating all your prospective blunders. If you decide to make this pattern, do it without his knowing”). The last twelve pages are a gallery of the author’s commissioned SSCs, guaranteed to give any kid nightmares unless she was, like, really cool. If I ever have a grandchild, the kid is getting several of these.
The kit packs the book in a good heavy box with a lid with a magnetic latch that you can keep your SSC-in-progress in, along with two pair of socks, fiberfill, needle, thread and buttons so that when you get the book, you can charge right ahead without having to gather materials. For someone like me, this was a godsend. Except that I really liked the striped socks in the kit and I didn’t want to cut them up. Lani said she’d make me striped socks, so I went for it.
I started with Estelle, because she said, “My pattern is fun for the entire family. Just tell your wife you’re out bowling,” and because she was made with one sock, and because she had a bone through her head. Triple threat. But the striped socks in the kit were too busy for her and the red socks would have been too shocking, so I ventured into my laundry room for socks and found these blue gray things with pink rosebuds on them that I must have been drunk when I bought. I looked back at the Estelle pattern and thought, “No, I’ll make up my own,” and ended up with a blue-gray muppet that just looked awkward because I over-worked it and because it was make from blue-gray socks with pink rosebuds. This turned out to be all right, though, because Veronica took one look at it and went bananas. It’s her favorite thing now. Score one for the Sock Creature book.
Then i was at Krogers and saw these fabulous black striped socks with stars on them. Had to have them. Came home and made a sock creature almost following the directions but not quite, and then decided that since babies choke on buttons, I’d crochet the eyes and whatever else I’d have used the buttons for. Many false starts and rip-outs later, I had the eyes on securely, which is when I remembered that it’s not buttons babies choke on, it’s small things. Like tiny crocheted eyes. If Mollie ever has a kid, I won’t be allowed near it.
But the problem artistically was that I kept trying too hard. I missed the point that Stupid Sock Creatures are alluring because they’re simple Stupid Sock Creatures. The more creative I got, the more they looked like bad stuffed animals. Rainbow Betty, the creature I made from the striped Krogers socks, gives me the creeps. i think it’s those staring eyes, although I do like the two strands of orange hair she has. So my next project will be, not from any of the patterns in the book because I never learn, but adaptations of them as The Mesopotamians in the cartoon video from They Might Be Giants (scroll to the bottom for the cartoon). Yes, I’m going to make Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh.
Because once you start with the Stupid Sock Creatures, you kinda get hooked.
Stupid Sock Creatures Book & Kit lists for $19.95, but Amazon has it for $13.57.
And here’s Rainbow Betty. I know, I know, what was I thinking? If I gave this to a grandchild, he’d look at Mollie and say, “Why does Grandma hate me?”
But the Mesopotamians are going to be fabulous.
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45 Comments to 'Review: Stupid Sock Creatures Book & Kit'
On January 14, 2008 at 7:52 am francois said...
“No, I’ll make up my own,”
Everything bad in the world starts with this phrase. Religion. Politics. Scarey sock creatures.
On January 14, 2008 at 7:55 am Laura Vivanco said...
Rainbow Betty looks to me like a distant cousin of Bertie Bassett, the Liquorice Allsorts man.
On January 14, 2008 at 8:16 am Rox said...
Jenny, never worry about sacrificing store-bought socks for the sake of creating scary sock creatures. Between me and Lani, you can have all the beautiful, hand knit socks you want for your feet.
On the other hand (or foot), I have several handknit socks that will never have a mate because I loathe them too much to knit a second…
On January 14, 2008 at 9:19 am Courtney De said...
Jenny, methinks you are using this blog entry as a pulpit to not so subtly campaign for grandkids. Sock puppets are merely the ruse. Examples:
“If I ever have a grandchild…”
“If Mollie ever has a kid…”
Plus the references to babies…..shameless, I tell you.
Can’t wait to see Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh, though. If you had a grandkid, I’m sure he or she would love them.
On January 14, 2008 at 9:42 am gin said...
I’m assuming Lani already knows, but they have really amazing self-striping sock yarn now. Like variegated yarn, but better, because it makes real stripes, not blotches, so it looks good after it’s knit.
On January 14, 2008 at 10:05 am WapakGram said...
Jenny- I have a 10 month old Grandson who would love that sort of thing. First, they LOVE bright colors. Second, he is MY grandson, so therefore, the genes are just a bit wacky on one side!
That is the coolest.
“No, I’ll make up my own.” The same way my son was about Legos. He made amazing things that looked nothing like the airplane on the box!
Glad Veronica has a new toy. Can you get Milton interested in anything but you or your laptop?
On January 14, 2008 at 10:16 am wendy roberts said...
Oh I LOVE Rainbow Betty!! Toddlers and babies love brightly colored things and I’m sure Betty would be a hit, um, after the choking hazards were removed of course.
On January 14, 2008 at 10:27 am Mary Stella said...
Umm… Was there something else that you were supposed to be doing when you launched into silly sock puppetdom? *g*
Your “No, I’ll make my own” is the equivalent of “How hard can it be?” Gets me into trouble every time.
Do the other dogs try to take Veronica’s sock friend? My pups only want whatever toy the other one currently has in his/her possession.
On January 14, 2008 at 11:03 am MJ said...
Oh, lord, I’m flashing back to stuffing pantyhose with fiberfill and sewing on googly eyes and stitching in noses and mouths and dimples…Google “pantyhose craft” for a look at the sock puppet’s distant cousins.
On January 14, 2008 at 11:04 am jenb said...
Yep, love the sock friends. May try my hand at one.
You would be one fabulous Grandma–
lots more fun then “Auntie Mame”
On January 14, 2008 at 12:03 pm robena grant said...
You are one funny duck!
On January 14, 2008 at 12:21 pm Lee said...
Pay no attention to the doubters, always always ALWAYS make your own – full speed ahead and damn the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Then shopdrop them in ToysRus and give everyone a giant headache. Only if you don’t love them.
(shop-drop is the opposite of shop-lift, you take something into the store and put it on the shelf with a price tag and bewilder everyone. except the person who joyfully grabs it off the shelf to bring home.)
heh – I’d grab yours in a heartbeat. But I might hack her a little once I got her home.
On January 14, 2008 at 12:52 pm Lou said...
I LOVE Rainbow Betty. She’s cheerful. And the, “No, I’ll make up my own.”… that’s just your creative genius. That genius is why you are such a great writer!!
On January 14, 2008 at 1:26 pm Becky said...
Rainbow Betty looks likes she is on her way to jazzercise!
On January 14, 2008 at 1:28 pm Fedora said...
Wow–thanks for the heads-up… I keep thinking that making sock-things (puppets, animals, whatever) would be really fun to do with the kids, but haven’t gotten around to it–this would help!
On January 14, 2008 at 3:08 pm Brooke said...
OMG, there’s a KIT?! I just bought the book! Although I have socks to last me.
Don’t stare at Betty too long or she’ll give you tracers. Or an epileptic fit.
On January 14, 2008 at 3:31 pm inkgrrl said...
More robust than balloon animals, that’s for sure. I think Rainbow Betty needs to be worked over with a Dazzler. Just for grins.
And as foreshadowing goes babe, kinda heavy handed
On January 14, 2008 at 3:36 pm Catherine said...
There is a part of me that thinks, yep now, theres a puppet on acid…and yet she has a sort of channelling the 80’s sort of charm too.
Handmade with love, even quirky I’m going out on a limb, love is a good thing.At least that’s my story.
Looking at Betty makes me wonder about what long term consequences there may be with my now adult daughter. As a baby she would sort of crawl forward in her sleep and continue, sort of gently headbutting the bars…
Instead of buying those sort of tie on bumper things around her cot, I made her a really long, really bright fat snake, with a strangle proof tongue.All I can see is her sleeping without little red marks with the snake protecting her.I thought it was a more interesting solution…hmm.
On January 14, 2008 at 4:06 pm Melissa said...
Jenny, you only have yourself to blame when Rainbow Betty it is your next large print book cover.
On January 14, 2008 at 4:46 pm Jenny said...
Melissa, that’s just mean. And probably prescient.
Rox, I will take your I-don’t-think-so socks happily, but really, you ought to try making Stupid Sock Creatures yourself. It’s like valium with a prize at the end. And so much better with your own handmade socks . . .
On January 14, 2008 at 5:43 pm ZaZa said...
Hey! I like rainbow Betty. That too tight sweatband and the lolling tongue make her look like I might if I’d been out trying to get healthy by jogging. /;+)))
Do we get a pic of the Veronica toy? Or of Vee and her toy?
On January 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm Louis said...
I’ll never look at socks the same way again.
On January 14, 2008 at 7:48 pm Chrissy Deffendall said...
My daughter, Kayleigh, who is 9 1/2, is sitting next to me as I read this post and reply to it. She is in love with the Krogers’ sock creature. “It’s ADORABLE!,” she exclaimed when I scrolled far enough down the page to reveal it. She wants it for her own…
On January 14, 2008 at 10:16 pm talpianna said...
Jenny–
Buy some of these cool socks to wear, and donate your old ones to the Sock Creature Conservancy:
http://naturesjewelry.com/search.asp?c=t&SKW=foot&TKW=NJ01&scat=Y&GEN1=For+Your+Feet
Sorry, they seem to be flat out of cat socks and glittery star socks at present.
On January 14, 2008 at 10:34 pm Melissa Blue said...
Melissa, that’s just mean. And probably prescient.
Lol. I just couldn’t past that one up. At least every time you pull it out you’ll laugh a little.
On January 15, 2008 at 1:24 am Jenyfer Matthews said...
It too bad I don’t get out more. I really really really wanted to send some child relations old-fashioned sock monkes toys I saw online for Christmas but in the end I assumed they’d be rejected as, well, old fashioned (“lame”) and went another way. If only I had known there was a kit out there! They could have made their own rainbow Betty creations and I might also have gotten points for sending a creative and educational toy.
Oh well, there’s always next year!
On January 15, 2008 at 1:39 am Barbara Martin said...
Veronica now has her own puppy. Dogs do that with stuffed things that have eyes.
Jenny, I love it — and I want a kit! Hopefully Indigo in Toronto has them. I’ll have to check tomorrow, or later today, now that I see how late it is.
As for Rainbow Betty, maybe Bob would like her?
On January 15, 2008 at 4:21 am Micki said...
Thought progression on reading this blog:
Hey! Sock Creatures! Cool!
Hmmm. I’ve got some baby kitties. Who need toys to distract them from the kitchen sponge.
Yes! Crochet — or embroider it right on. Don’t want choking cats.
Neil Gaiman needs this sock creature. (Why did I think that? Psychic moment — pay no heed. I am not psychic.)
Maybe when you are done with sock creatures, you could graduate to sweater monsters.
Have you ever seen sock dogs? I know sock monkeys were so popular as a retro item these past few years. I have an article on sock dogs somewhere. You *do* need two socks. Or four, that’s good, too. I wonder what I did with that magazine?
On January 15, 2008 at 5:02 am Micki said...
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/415Z0SFF2ZL._AA240_.jpg
I’m not sure but this may be made of white work gloves, not white socks. But this general idea.
On January 15, 2008 at 1:04 pm Hotflashes said...
Good Lord, a couple of those look like my ex…
On January 15, 2008 at 2:12 pm AgTigress said...
Goodness. I think Rainbow Betty might give me nightmares.
:0
On January 15, 2008 at 7:14 pm Faye said...
Okay…I used to think clowns were the devil’s spawn. Now, I’m thinking sock creatures might be. LOL.
Seriously, though, I think Betty looks great. Very 80’s retro. Sort of a Punky Brewster sock creature thing.
Faye
On January 15, 2008 at 11:10 pm bob said...
This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands.
On January 15, 2008 at 11:15 pm Brandy said...
I like Rainbow Betty. She’s cute. *g* My 12 year old daughter likes it, too. I wish I were crafty.
On January 15, 2008 at 11:17 pm Jenny said...
Thank you, Brandy and everyone else who understand the Zen of Sock Creatures.
Bob, you’re lookin’ at your Christmas present.
On January 15, 2008 at 11:53 pm Jill said...
I do not get the Zen of Sock Creatures. I do get the zen of My Rox Socks.It is ,however, all about me.
On January 16, 2008 at 12:26 am Jenny said...
I know. It’s all about you for me, too.
On January 16, 2008 at 5:54 am Diane said...
And I thought when you said you were going to post about sock creatures, you’d be talking about these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_sock_puppet – people who post online under assumed names. But these are cuter.
BTW, I’m not getting much sleep at the moment because I’ve been sucked into your novels (last week Bet Me, this week Crazy for You) Extremely hard to put down even if it is 12.30 at night and I have to be at work the next day. Thanks for a good read, Jenny.
On January 16, 2008 at 7:53 am Laurie C. said...
LOL – Now I know what to do with all those unmatched socks sadly tucked in a drawer. My clothes dryer has this eating disorder, you see. I even wrote a poem about it and acted it out with my grandaughters.
And, yes, my granddaughters would love these. Me thinks I need to go shopping.
On January 16, 2008 at 7:54 am Elizabeth K said...
Sock puppets seem to be quite the rage! Have you seen any “Gocks” yet? They are Goth sock puppets. Oh yes, black socks, safety pins, the whole shebang. Cute in a “things that make you go hmmm” kind of way.
I also saw sock monkey slippers at Target the other day. (no, I didn’t buy them. I like the fuzzy, sexy types that show off my toenail polish.)
On January 16, 2008 at 10:57 am Office Wench Cherry said...
I interlibrary loaned the book, it should be here soon. I may lack the creativity to make a SSC but I’m sure gonna enjoy thinking about it.
On January 16, 2008 at 4:13 pm monique said...
My brother in law and sister have made a bunch of these. It is very disconcerting to have a group of them staring at you from a wall of shelves. Definately ugly cute.
I did not realize there were Goth styles – I will have to mention it to them.
Crafters Rock!
On January 16, 2008 at 9:22 pm Lee said...
Once you have the sock creatures, you could outfit a room for them. Check here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobilina/2158970087/
or here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobilina/2193349904/
that last one has a sheep/fish sock creature that I find very appealing. not to mention sock books in a sock bookcase, and sock cups on sock saucers, resting on a sock ottoman at the foot of a sock chair.
On January 20, 2008 at 8:32 pm talpianna said...
Laurie C.: The late and greatly lamented Erma Bombeck used to tell her kids, after the dryer ate one of a pair, that “one sock went to live with Jesus.”
Jenny: Have I got an ad for you! It’s from Footsmart: Buy 3, Get 1 Free Sock–Hosiery Sale!
Just get everyone to send you their single free socks to make into puppets…
On January 20, 2008 at 11:53 pm Jenny said...
Where single socks come to die: Jenny’s house.