Teens Are Crazy About Socks at the Bloomingdale Regional Library

 A Cyclops was on the loose at the Bloomingdale Library on Aug. 1.

It and other creatures were created by area youth during the fifth annual Stupid Sock Creatures workshop.

The four-hour afternoon workshop was open to children ages 12-16. Lunch and materials were provided by the Friends of the Bloomingdale Library.

The workshop was based on the popular book by John Murphy. Murphy’s sock creations have been featured in several national publications. The whimsical characters are humorous, wacky and the perfect project for the 24 young people who attended.

Bloomingdale children’s librarian Vickie Trice said the library has enjoyed the animated company of local children throughout the summer. The library hosted an array of learning opportunities for school-age children to teens in addition to its regular programming during the summer.

Trice said the programming was so successful during the summer that, for the children’s events, a second show was added after more than 200 people showed up for one event. The maximum amount allowed in the community room is 120 people.

Trice said the events became even more popular as people searched for free-yet-educational opportunities for children.

Fourteen-year-old Diep Vu was thankful for the chance to use her skills to invent a sock creature. Vu, who serves on the Bloomingdale Library Teen Advisory Board, didn’t have any sewing experience but enjoyed working on her original sock.

The opportunity to make a sock creature is more about learning a technique and having a good time with peers than a perfect, finished product, Trice said.

“It’s about them showing individuality and having pride into their pieces,” Trice said. “It’s a popular event. We had a waiting list.”

Fourteen-year-old Karli wasn’t waiting around to make a creature as creepy as a Cyclops. She was giddy about her horse as her tablemates worked to finish up their creatures.

“This is my first time coming,” Karli said. “It was fun.”

Trice said the packed attendance, along with a steady stream of regular patrons, made for interesting times at the library.

“It was crazy,” Trice said. “It was a very busy summer.”