How to Make a Sock Monkey (Complete Guide)

December 7, 2011 | by Jocie (email) |

With my recent Pinterest addiction, I have been making a lot of my holiday gifts this year and my cousin and partner-in-craft, Naomi came over to show me how to make these adorable Sock Monkeys.

This is a great gift idea for kids, not only for the holidays but it also makes for a wonderful baby shower gift. Overall, this was a simple project, even for a novice sewer like me.  One sock monkey cost about $3 – 4, mainly depending on the cost of the socks. I love that you can really personalize the sock monkey with your selection of socks and accessories.

Materials:

• Knee high socks
• Chalk or marker
• Embroidery thread
• Stuffing
• 2 buttons

Step 1- Make an Outline

Start by turning the socks inside out. Draw an outline for the body and legs with chalk or marker on one of the socks. Make sure the heel of the sock is facing up (this will be the little sock monkey bottom).

On the other sock, draw the outline for the ears, arms, snout/mouth, and tail.  None of them need to be exact, the beauty is in the small imperfections!  🙂

Step 2 – Sew the Outlines

Sew with your sewing machine using a straight stitch everything but the mouth.  You can use a needle and thread and sew by hand, but it will be much slower and not as sturdy. Be careful to not sew the opening to the arms, tail, and ears.

Step 3 – Make Cutouts

Cut out the legs, ears, arms, snout/mouth, and tail close to the seam but not too close.

Next, turn everything right side out. On the first sock (the body and legs), cut an opening on the side opposite the heel in the area that will be hidden after the snout is sewn on.

Step 4 – Stuff It

Stuff body and head of the sock monkey to your liking.  *Quick Tip: Use an old pillow for the stuffing.

Step 5 – Sew on the Face

Pick a complimentary color of embroidery thread and pull out 2 strands of the thread to make it thinner.

Using the embroidery thread, sew a smile and two small nostrils on the mouth of the monkey. In this picture, we sewed the snout on first, created the smile and nostrils, and then stuffed it. With the embroidery thread, sew the mouth mostly shut starting with the top of the mouth. That small gap will make it easier to sew the eyes and conceal any knots.

Sew the eyes on directly above the mouth before completely sewing shut the mouth.

Step 6 – Ears, Arms and Legs

Stuff the arms and tail, and sew to the monkey. Be sure to tuck the raw ends inside of the arm/tail/ears so that a smooth edge meets the body of the monkey. Sew the ears to the side of the monkey’s head, but do not stuff them.

– Finally, add any accessories to personalize each monkey (i.e. bandanna, cowboy hat, tutu, crown, flower)

This Sock Monkey was named “Ban-danny” by Kim and Fred’s kids since he’s a cowboy wearing a bandana.  Heehee.

Have you ever made a Sock Monkey? Any tips or suggestions?  If you have, please send us pictures!  We would love to see your crafting creations!