Little kids enjoy the simple things in life. The mere sight of animals excites them while watching a group of puppets perform on stage is their definition of the Oscar Best Picture. Now if you combine those two activities, you’ll get a simple toy loved by all kids - the sock monkey. Give one to your child and he or she will have an instant partner to his/her kiddie adventures.

Many TV shows, like Lamb Chops Play Along and Sesame Street, have used the popularity of sock puppets to generate viewership. Bring both shows closer to your children by making a sock monkey. Creating one is not too hard, though it involves many processes. With some patience and basic sewing skills, you can surely come up with a decent creation.

Sock Monkey Sections

Stitching up a sock monkey in one go might confuse some people. Some of the puppet’s parts are intricate, requiring much attention to details. To make things simpler, let’s separate the sock monkey’s sections, so you can focus on each of them better.

• legs and body
• arms, tail, hat and face
• putting the sock monkey together

You will need a pair of long socks for the entire project. One will be devoted to the monkey’s head, body and legs while the other is for the arms, tail and face. Have a few extra pairs ready, in case you commit errors. Don’t worry about the costs, since a generic or used pair will do.

Materials Used:

• a pair of socks
• a spool of red yarn
• 2 small round buttons
• 1 large button
• sewing thread
• sewing needle
• cotton stuffing
• scissors
• pencil
• ruler
• sewing machine (optional)

Section 1: Legs and Body

The key factor for this section is proportion. If you follow the given measurements down to the last detail, you won’t commit many errors. The steps may look confusing at first, but they are actually simple, if you get the hang of things.

1. Grab a pair of heel socks from the closet.
2. Get one sock and turn it inside out.
3. Lay it flat on the table with the heel facing up.
4. Locate the white portion on the heel. At the top middle portion, measure three inches beneath the white portion and mark it with a pencil.
5. Draw a line at the center, starting from the marking you made.
6. Sew a half-inch seam on the line’s opposite sides, creating the legs. Make the seams curl in such a way that a pair of shoe-shaped feet is formed
7. Starting from the top middle portion, measure and mark one and a half inches beneath the heel’s white portion.
8. In between both legs, cut a line until you reach the mark that you just made.
9. Turn the sock right side out.
10. Stuff the sock from the opening until the monkey’s body, head and legs pop up.
11. Once done, stitch the opening shut.

If you find the monkey too small, you can use the second sock to extend the dimensions. Though, you should adjust the proportions accordingly for your puppet to look realistic.

Section 2: Arms, Tail, Hat and Face

The challenge with forming the monkey’s multiple parts is precision. One small error in measurement will wreck the puppet’s appearance. You can practice drawing the parts on a piece of paper first before manipulating the second sock. Once you have mastered sketching and cutting out the parts, you should have no problems with this section.

1. Get the second sock then fold it in half.
2. Draw the arms, tail, mouth, hat, and ears. The toe area’s white portion, including 3/4-inch behind it, will be occupied by the hat. Behind the hat’s designated area, sketch a line until you reach the sock’s cuff area, which will later be the puppet’s tail. The heel’s red region, along with 1/2-inch of the brown area, will be for the mouth. The remaining area will be for the arms (a couple of rectangular patterns) and ears (draw two identical half circles).
3. After drawing all the monkey’s parts, cut them out.

You have the freedom to tweak the design a little, if you find it too plain. Just make sure that you stick with the dimensions, or else your creation might have disproportional body parts. You can also add small ornaments, which will accompany some of the body parts, if you choose.

Section 3: Putting The Sock Monkey Together

This section is the easiest part. All you have to do is the stitch the and stuff the parts before attaching them to the first sock, which is the monkey’s torso. Much sewing is required, so you should be accustomed to handling a sewing needle and thread.

1. Place the mouth on the monkey’s head and stitch it.
2. Before stitching the mouth completely, insert a little stuffing.
3. Get the tail and roll it, making it circular.
4. Stitch its ends together then insert stuffing.
5. Sew the tail at the torso’s rump area.
6. Fold the arms, as if you’re forming a circle. Make the ends curl to form the monkey’s hands.
7. Stitch their ends together and place stuffing.
8. Affix the arms on opposite sides of the shoulder.
9. Sew the two small buttons on the face to form the eyes.
10. Beneath the eyes, sew the large button to form the nose.
11. Curl the hat’s ends for an elegant look.
12. Insert stuffing then sew the hat on the monkey’s head.

Having a sewing machine is an advantage in this section, but it is not required. Within minutes, you can stitch up each monkey component and affix it on the torso. You will still need the sewing needle, though, if you want to add designs to your creation.

Kids Get Funky with the Sock Monkey

The sock monkey, being a fine creation, is a surefire hit with the kids. They can play with it. They can bring it along to the playground. They can even converse with it, if they’re longing for an imaginary friend. Whichever the case, having the puppet around rounds up a kid’s definition of fun. You might as well give your kid what he or she wants.

Watch The Video

How To Make A Monkey Sock Puppet : Guide To Making A Sock Puppet

How To Make A Monkey Sock Puppet : Accessories For Sock Puppets