Introduction: Make a Valentine's Day Sock Monkey!
A few weeks ago I got an idea for a new Instructable. It's actually pretty easy to make and doesn't take very long. They also make great Valentine's day gifts!
My sock monkey's ears are lopsided....
NOTE!!!Do step 10 befor step 9. The thingy didn't let me re-order the steps.
Step 1: What You Need
For this you will obviously need a pair of socks.
You will also need:
Scissors
Red felt
Buttons
Some sort of fiber-fill
Some sewing skills, not many though, all you need to know is how to sew something toghther and tie a knot.
A needle and thread and a sewing machine
or
A needle and more thread
Our sewing machine is messed up so I had to hand sew this. You need to hand sew a lot of it anyway because it isn't exactly possible to sew arms onto this with a sewing machine.....
Step 2: Pay Attention....
Turn the sock inside out!!!
You will need to flatten the sock so that the heel can be kind of folded up. Don't flatten it like socks are usually flattened. Then draw a line on the sock kind of like the purple one in the second picture. You will sew to the SIDES of the line NOT ON the line because you will be cutting on the line. The first picture shows how it will look flattened out, just ifnore the stiching.
It may help when you are sewing to remove the elastic at the part of the sock that goes up your leg.
Step 3: Cut the Line
Now that you have finished sewing TO THE SIDES of the line you will cut down the line. There should be a convenient little hole between the monkey's legs. You will turn it right-side-out using this hole and put the stuffing in it. Now, turn it right-side-out.
Step 4: Next Sock!
Turn this sock inside out as well.
Now you will flatten the other sock the way socks are usually flattened. Like it's profile.
Then draw the line you will sew on to make the tail or arm. Also when you sew it make sure that one end is open so you can stuff it. Then cut that section out. I accidently used the wrong part of the sock, the one that should be used for the ears.
Be careful you don't cut the heel because you WILL need it.
Then make the arms and cut the part you want to be the ears out. Be sure to look at the third picture in this step!!
Step 5: Arms and Tail
Now you should have the arms and tail done. Here are what my monkey's arms look like unstuffed.
The second picture is of all of the pieces. The ears haven't been made yet, they're just a piece of sock.
For your tail you can either stuff it or make a small strip of material. When I made mine I stuffed it but made it to fat and short and when I sewed it on it didn't look, er, right. So I made it a strip of cloth.
Step 6: Stuff It
Now you need to stuff the pieces. When you finish stuffing the body you will need to sew the convenient little hole between his legs shut.
Step 7: Ears
Now make the ears. I cut two rectangles and folded them over so that one side was already done. Then I sewed up two other sides, leaving one side open. After that I turned them right-side-out and they made a great ear shape. In this picture I put the squares next to a rechargeable AA battery to show you how big they are. The second picture is what they look like afther I sewed them.
Step 8: Sew on His Appendages
This part is pretty self-explanatory. It isn't very hard to sew them on, just to get them placed right.
Step 9: Eyes, Ears, Knees, and Toes
Or something like that. He doesn't have knees or toes though.... His eyes are buttons and you already saw his ears.
Step 10: What Do I Do With the Heel?
The heel will be his nose/snout/muzzle or whatever you want to call it. Sew it on just below where you want his eyes to be, make sure to leave room for his eyes. Leave a hole to put the stuffing in and when you finish putting the stuffing in, sew it shut.
Step 11: Now for His Heart
Every Valentine's day monkey needs a heart, right?
Cut a heart out of red felt and sew it on the monkey, you can sew it so that it looks like he's holding it or just sew it onto his body somewhere.
Step 12: Now You're Done!
You can give him a mouth but I didn't because I didn't want to go find a different color of thread.
If you make one of these I would love to see pictures!
Also, if you need help, feel free to ask.
59 Comments
10 years ago
Nora
10 years ago
Here is my sock monkey - Nora! She's ok... Not great but hey, it's my first sock monkey! I've even made her a t-shirt!
10 years ago on Introduction
Hey what size socks do you need? Im so glad I found this
10 years ago on Introduction
I made a sock monkey before i saw this 'ible and this is almost the exact may i made mine! Only a few differences.
Good job!
15 years ago on Introduction
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
My munkey is sooo cool! His name is Hanes :D
I should post a pic, shouldn't I?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
:D Yes you should!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Here you go :D Actually, what you could do is take the images from the comments and put them in the last step of your 'ible. As I said, his name is "Hanes," probably because it is tattooed on the back of his head xD I did some size adjustments so that his skinny legs would match his body. I also cut the entire toe part off and sewed it back on so he would have a neck. I didn't really get how you made the muzzle until I finished, so His face is a tiny bit flat. This is the best animal I've made entirely by myself so far, and I have made... 4? My mom helped me sew two of them. Also, since the sewing machine is broke, it's all done by hand :D P.S. enter this in the craft skill contest (I think you can), I'll vote for you!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
so cute i love it hehe!!!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
He's really cute! :D That's a really good idea, I'll do that later tonight. Haha that's awesome that his name is tattooed on the back of his head :P I thought the instructables had to have been published after a certain date though?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Oh... I wouldn't know exactly. I put in my steampunk flashlight, Just posted on the 30th. If you could, could you check it out and rate? :P
I'm surprised my 'ible only has a 2.9 or something... I thought it looks pretty good...
12 years ago on Introduction
I really like how your monkeys aren't spindly and are more stuffed animal like and so i am just wondering what size/how long of a sock/socks did you use?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
They were mostly girls knee highs, I can't remember what size though.
12 years ago on Introduction
i am going to make a ninja sock monkey!
13 years ago on Introduction
This is really great! I always wanted o know how to do this. I'm going to give one to my girlfriend for christmas :D Ill be sure to post a picture when im done! Thank you!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks :D They're so much fun to make!
I can't wait to see a picture of it :D
14 years ago on Step 12
This is him! What do you think?! I haven't done a heart, but I might try and add a little black one!
Reply 13 years ago on Step 12
i love him!! cute!
Reply 14 years ago on Step 12
He's really cute! :D
14 years ago on Step 9
looks like a ninja COOL
Reply 14 years ago on Step 9
Hehe I never even noticed that!