Who's up for some Monkey Business???
If you've ever wondered how to make a sock monkey then today is your day!
I wanted a sock monkey when I was a little girl and I never got one.
Yes, it's very sad. I was picked on as a child. Feel bad for me.
(Hi Mom - that was called sarcasm!)
No, really I had lots of dolls and stuffed animals that I named and dressed and played with everyday.
But, I never did get that sock monkey.
Then socks monkeys kind of went away for awhile.
It was very sad.
Imagine my delight when sock monkeys started making a comeback just in time for my own kids!
Unfortunately I couldn't find the "classic looking sock monkeys" that were around when I was young but I kept searching.
About six years ago I was browsing through the store and I came across some Red Heel socks.
I snatched up a pair and I decided I'd try my hand at making a classic sock monkey for my son.
After I got home I realized I had no idea how to turn the socks into monkeys!
I was disappointed that I'd opened the package and couldn't return the socks.
Then I turned the label over and low and behold there were instructions right on the back!
Hooray!
I can proudly say that my sock monkey making was a success!
I've kind of customized the instructions a bit to make it easier for myself.
Like any craft project, it's a learn as you go thing.
Today I'm going to show you how I make sock monkeys but feel free to refer back to the Red Heel Sock instructions or even make changes yourself.
I like to do everything in steps (cutting, sewing, stuffing, stitching together.)
I hope this makes sense and I apologize in advance for the difference in my photos.
Blame Picnik. I'm still mad at them for leaving.
But, I'm starting to really like PicMonkey!
To get started you'll need the following Supplies-
-1 Pair of Socks
-Fiberfill
-Strong Sewing thread
-Embroidery thread
-Needle
-Pins
-Buttons
-Scissors
Like I said, my first sock monkey was made from the classic Red Heel Socks.
I have since ventured out and made sock monkeys with colorful knee high socks and even little baby monkeys with smaller sized socks.
Once you get the hang of it you can pretty much use any size of sock you'd like.
Begin by laying out your socks.
You'll need one pair of socks to make one monkey.
One sock will be the body and the legs.
The other sock will become the other body parts (ears, arms, tail, mouth).
Find the middle of your sock.
You can usually tell by the crease in the sock.
If not, simple fold the sock in half lengthwise and find the middle that way.
After finding the center you'll want to cut a line down the center of the sock.
Stop about 3" from the heel.
You can mark it with a pen or pencil if you'd like.
But, it's not rocket science, it's ok to just eyeball it.
Now lay out your remaining sock and cut out the rest of your monkey's parts as shown in the picture below.
The end of the toe will be the tail.
The tube of the sock will be the arms.
The heel will be the mouth.
The sole will be the ears.
Going back to the first sock now. Turn the sock inside out.
Round the edges of the monkey's "feet".
Using strong sewing thread in a coordinating color (I used red so my stitches would be easy to see) sew a simple whip stitch around the edges.
Double up your thread, especially if your monkey is meant for a child, the monkey is sure to be well loved!
Keep your stitches fairly close together.
Yes, you can do this with the sewing machine, but I like to do it by hand.
I like the hand stitched look and call me old fashioned, but there's something special about knowing that's the way our grandmothers used to do it!
Stitch all the way up the monkeys leg, leaving room for the monkey's crotch leaving an opening in the middle.
This is where you'll turn the body right side out and stuff it with fiberfill.
Working the same stitch up the monkey's tail.
Leave the top of the tail open.
Stitch the arms up in the same way you did the legs and tail.
With the outsides facing stitch the ears together, leaving one side open so you can stuff it later.
Lay your monkey pieces out and smile because your monkey is coming together!
At this point you'll want to flip your monkey's legs, tail, arms and ears right side out.
It's easiest to scrunch the parts up like a pair of panthose and flip it over.
After flipping it right side out you can start stuffing your monkey parts with fiberfill.
I usually start with the tail.
Use plenty of stuffing, as it wears down after being played with over time.
Of course you don't want to use too much and rip your stitches open.
I've been known to use a crochet hook to push the stuffing down to the bottom, but be careful not to poke a hole right through the sock.
Stuff the tail until about 1" from the opening and stitch it shut.
You can roll the arms, legs and tail between your hands to get rid of lumps and make them nice and soft.
Repeat with the arms and legs.
Flip the ears right side out.
Add a little stuffing, then fold the sides in and stitch the ears shut.
Moving right along!
You're getting there!
Here comes the fun part!
Now you can start stitching the monkey parts together.
I like to start by adding the mouth.
You can figure out where to place the mouth by laying out your monkey like I did in the picture above.
I basically turn the edges in and pin the mouth where I want it to be.
Then I begin sewing it in place, removing the pins as I go.
Sew across the top of them mouth and about halfway across the bottom.
It's a good idea to stitch on a smile or even just a straight line before you add the stuffing.
I use embroidery thread and sew a simple split stitch across the mouth.
You can even add little french knot nostrils!
After stitching on the smile and nostrils you can begin stuffing the mouth.
Add a little stuffing at a time then stitch er' shut.
Aww-doesn't he look happy?
Now it's time for ears!
You can leave them as they are or you can pinch them in half.
I've done it both ways and they're equally cute, it's really up to you.
If you're going with the "pinched method" just fold the ear in half vertically and stitch together.
Then stitch the ears on both sides, right between the mouth and the white part on the head.
Isn't he cute?
Up next - arms!
Stitch them on, just below the mouth.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure one arm is lower than the other.
I'm not worried about it.
It's a monkey.
Moving on, it's time to attach your monkey's tail.
Very important!
You want to stitch the tail on right above the red part of the monkey's little bum.
Above, not below.
I did that once and it just didn't look right.
If that doesn't make sense then take a good look at a monkey next time you go to the zoo!
Now all your parts are attached and your monkey is ready to be stuffed.
Fill up the body through the opening between the legs.
Sorry...that really doesn't sound good, but there's no other way to say it!
I like to add a heart in with my stuffing.
Because I'm super cheesy like that.
Once you've got your monkey's body filled with stuffing fold the ends of the opening in, pinch them together and sew them up.
Last but not least, you need to sew on some eyes.
I used buttons, but you can use beads or safety eyes, as well.
If you're making the monkey for a baby the best idea is to use eyes cut out of felt, as the buttons would be a chocking hazard.
And wa-la!
We have a monkey!
He's a cute little guy too!
I think I'll call him Chester.
(Until I give him to my nephew anyway, then he can call him whatever he wants.)
So there you have it!
He's ready ready to go, ready to be cuddled and loved.
Chester is like the bazillionth monkey I've made!
I have pictures of some.
I'll have to share them in another post.
Happy monkey making, my friends!
And if you have any questions, please, please, please don't hesitate to ask!
Have a craft-o-licious day! :)
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