Tossing out an idea

Most of my knitting lately has been sock monkeys, which started with KP's Mr. Foster (and quickly became Senor Foster). The other day I was reading an article suggesting ways to Make a Soldier Smile, by sending an upbeat letter or package, and I thought, what's more upbeat than a sock monkey? We've been having lost of fun in the Mr. Foster KAL showing where our monkeys go and the trouble they get into. What do you think? Would service men and women (especially those with kids at home) enjoy having a sock monkey to talk to, photograph, etc? I was even thinking if someone had the time and expertise (I don't!), it would be fun to have a blog where photos of soldiers' monkeys could be posted for all to see and discuss.

Thoughts?

Tags: monkeys, sock, soldiers

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Freelance on August 30, 2009 at 2:23pm: I remember that discussion as well. I recently recalled my security-conscious DH mentioning some soldiers having posted photos of themselves with a sigh that showed where they were, and said this is *very* dangerous, as anybody can see the photos (or it could have been a YouTube video), so the wrong people could find out where they are, which has given me tiny second thoughts about the blog idea. But if you find the info, I'd love to have it.

As for Widget, he's currently sitting quietly, watching DH play Lego Batman on the Wii. He's clutching Micromonkey, which he claimed for his very own, and wearing a hat that was intended for Senor Foster's Halloween costume, but turned out too small. I'll have to get a photo, he's awfully cute ....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Freelance on August 30, 2009 at 2:50pm: This was *supposed* to say, "with a *sign* in the background that showed where they were", but for some reason when I tried to edit, the program froze, so it apparently posted the original. Love the Internet. Riiiiiight ....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kim Payne on August 30, 2009 at 7:23pm: Hello,

I answered your message to me about my blog but after thinking about it I thought I'd suggest that flickr.com might be a better idea for a project like this. It is a photo sharing website that anyone can join. Someone just starts a group like Sock Monkeys for Soldiers and anyone can post their pictures themselves with a description. You can also chat about any subject just like we do here. I thought it would save anyone from being responsible for the upkeep of a blog. Here is an example of a spool knitter group I belong to. http://www.flickr.com/groups/618440@N20/ just to show you what you can do. I hope this helps.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on August 30, 2009 at 9:00pm: Kim, I think that is a great possibility. But is there a way for the soldiers to ask for monkeys to be sent to them?

I did not know that there were that many different spools out there. They are really beautiful.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Freelance on August 31, 2009 at 7:39am: This is one of the questions I'll ask when I contact the Ravelry group that provides assorted goodies to the troops. There are people out there who have this stuff all figured out, I'm just not one of them ....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Freelance on August 31, 2009 at 7:42am: Thanks! I'm in a group on flickr, but someone else started it, so I didn't know anything about it, really. I'll check it out soon.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barb on August 31, 2009 at 9:08am: Count me in! I'll be glad to help make monkeys.

I also thought about making them for the police to carry. I know the ones in my area carry 'hug-a-bears' my EGA group makes, I thought maybe they'd also like some monkeys. I'll have to ask my son-in-law.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Freelance on August 31, 2009 at 9:15am: I like that idea. I don't know any local officers, so I have no idea if they do that here or not, but monkeys would be a perfect match, I'd think.; ▶ Reply to This