The craze for sock monkeys continues as Carol is joined by her friend, actor Bill Kirchenbauer, to demonstrate how to make these adorable dolls. The sock monkeys, constructed from a pair of red-heeled, white-toed socks, some stuffing and a few stitches, have caused quite a commotion among crafters. Make your own sock monkey by using one full sock to construct the body, legs and head of the monkey. Cut portions of the second sock to make the tail, mouth, ears, arms and cap. The mouth is cut from the red-heeled area of the sock, and the cap is constructed from the white toe. A kit, complete with socks and an instructional book with more detailed directions for making sock monkeys and other sock animals, is available from the publisher below.
Materials:
one pair of extra-large red-heel socks
polyester fiberfill stuffing
black embroidery floss or black buttons or black felt
ivory thread
sock monkey kit - optional
Steps:
1. Stitch two vertical lines three inches up from the heel of the sock (figure A). The lines should be one inch apart and should stop at the top of the sock.
2. Cut away the area between the two stitched lines. The cut should start at the top of the sock and should stop 1-1/2 inches from the heel. This creates and distinguishes the sock monkey's legs, feet and torso (Figure B).
3. Sew the sock monkey's feet closed.
4. From the crotch area of the sock monkey, stuff the torso and legs with fiberfill stuffing (figure C). Sew the crotch closed.
5. From a second sock, cut a one-inch strip from the side of the sock opposite the heel. Stuff it and sew it together to create the sock monkey's tail (figure D).
6. Cut two, two-inch strips from the top back side of the sock (figure E). Stuff and sew the pieces to create the sock money's arms.
7. Cut the mouth of the sock monkey from the heel of the sock (figure F), the ears from the bottom part of the sock (figure G), and the cap from the toe of the sock.
8. Sew the bottom part of the mouth onto the sock monkey's face (figure H). Stuff between the mouth and the face and sew the rest of the mouth onto the face.
9. Sew the sock monkey's cap to the top of the head and add a red pom-pon.
10. Stuff and sew together the sock monkey's ears and stitch them to the sides of the head.
11. To create the sock monkey's eyes, either sew on black buttons or felt circles (figure I) or embroider them with embroidering floss.
12. Sew on the sock monkey's tail.
13. Tie red ribbons to the sock monkey's neck, wrists, ankles and tail.
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