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How to Make a Sock Monkey – Pattern and Video

The holidays are just around the corner and that means you have to prepare some presents for your little ones. This is a great opportunity to combine something that you love with something that your kids love. Sewing with toys!

You won’t be making just any toys though, you’ll be making DIY sock monkeys. They are cute little stuffed monkeys that are environmentally friendly, fun to make, but most importantly, they are the kids’ favorite!

Don’t worry if you’re not very skilled at sewing, because this project is easy enough for beginners to finish it without hiccups.

If you like how that sounds, you’re at the right place. Now waste no more time and keep reading to find out how to make a sock monkey with a sock monkey pattern!

Below you will find my step by step written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make a sock monkey

Supplies and tools

DOWNLOAD: sock monkey pattern (Free PDF file)

Follow us for free patterns & tutorials! [easy-profiles]

How To Sew Sew Monkey Pattern

Watch the diy sock monkey video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

DIY Sock Monkeys VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Prepare the pattern for sock monkey

Download the stuffed monkey pattern and print it out on a piece of paper.

Cut the patterns you’ll need out and remove any excess fabric. If you are making adult monkey you’ll need just the Adult eyes and the adult ear, if making the baby – cut out only the baby ear and eyes. If you are making the whole monkey family, yeah, you get it – you’ll ned to cut them all out.

The size of the socks will determine the size of the monkey. If you want a small monkey use a pair of regular socks. If you want your monkey with extra large limbs (these are soo huggable!) use long socks and cut the folded cuff out.

STEP 2: Prepare the socks

Wash the socks you’ll use for the monkey puppet, turn them wrong side out, and lightly iron them. If your socks have a folded cuff, you’ll need to remove its stitches carefully.

Then iron the sock to stretch it out a bit.

STEP 3: Transfer the pattern and start sewing the monkey sock puppet

You need two socks for this step. One sock will be for the body, head, and legs. The other sock will be for the remaining body pieces.

Use the pattern and transfer the appropriate markings onto the socks with a washable pen or sewist chalk.

If you want to level up – align the stripes on both layers before you sew and cut the sock.

STEP 4: Sew

Sew along the sewing lines (these are about 1/4 inch away from the cutting lines)

STEP 5: Cut

Cut along the cutting lines. Round the corners of the limbs and tail

STEP 6: Turn right side out

Turn everything inside out

STEP 7: Stuff

Put the stuffing into the body section, all limbs and tail. The body and legs should nice and tight so put enough stuffing to form it well. You can make the cute sock monkey firmer or softer, it’s up to you.

Close the opening with a ladder stitch. Keep the stitch about an eighth-inch away from the edge.

Wrap the thread around the needle a few times and run it through the puppet. Push the thread inside the puppet and cut it off when the needle goes out at the other end.

Roll the limbs between your palms to form the stuffing.

STEP 8: Make the ears

Fill the ear section with the stuffing, fold its raw edge, and close the opening with the ladder stitch.

Fold the ear vertically and ladder stitch the seam line.

If you did everything right, the ear will look a lot like a fortune cookie. Repeat for the second ear.

 

STEP 9: Pin all parts to the assigned places

Pin the arms, tail, felt eyes, mouth and ears to their assigned places

Adjust the ears on the sides of the monkey’s head and whip stitch around them. Keep the ears aligned with the side of the monkey.

STEP 9: Sew the body to the sock monkey

Use slip stitch to sew the arms, tail and mouth

STEP 10: Let the monkey see

Now it’s time to give your monkey his eyes.

Set the eye fabric on the center of the head and pin it. Stitch it in place with a blanket stitch. You can use a contrasting thread here to give your monkey puppet a bit more color.

Sew the buttons onto their position. If you want them tightly secured, make sure to pull the needle out at the same side where you put it in. Then just tighten and knot the thread.

STEP 11: Let the monkey speak

To make the mouth, first, draw where you want them to be with a washable pen or sewist chalk. The shape is a rounded rectangular and its top edge should align with the bottom edge of the eye felt section.

Fold the raw edge of the mouth and baste stitch it. Secure it with pins and sew with a ladder stitch all around the mouth section. Stop when the opening becomes about an inch wide and stuff the mouth through it. Finish the stitch and add embroidery branch stitches across the middle of the mouth for decoration.

STEP 11: (OPTIONAL) Adjust the head

If the head doesn’t turn out round, pinch the fabric vertically on the top of the head and stitch it in place like that.

What do you think about the tutorial? Go ahead and make a few of these sock monkey toys in various colors, your kid will love them! Tell us if you have any ideas on how to make these monkeys even better, your feedback is precious to us. Have fun sewing these cute little jungle dwellers!

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RELATED TOYS SEWING TUTORIALS:

Among us plushie pattern

Among us Impostor pattern

Make a felt finger puppet

 

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 14 comments
Linda - October 10, 2020

I love this idea, will be fantastic gifts for the grandkids. Thanks for sharing on Funky Junk.

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    Helen - October 12, 2020

    Indeed they will! I’m thrilled you loved it. The monkeys are really cute

    Reply
    site here latestkeralanews.com - November 19, 2020

    I used to be very happy to seek out this internet-site.I needed to thanks to your time for this glorious read!! I undoubtedly enjoying every little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

    Reply
Julie - October 10, 2020

I love your sock monkey, they are such a classic.

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Shelley Whittaker - October 13, 2020

These are so cool! Although unfortunately I don’t think I am that creative … or patient! Perhaps when my daughter is a bit older we can try to make them together 🙂 #KCACOLS

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    Helen - October 13, 2020

    Thanks, Shelley! Indeed it’s a fun way to spend quality time with your kiddo

    Reply
Donna @ Modern on Monticello - October 14, 2020

Your sock monkeys are adorable. They remind me of my grandma who made them for me when I was young. Great memories and a great tutorial to share. #HomeMattersParty

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Marilyn - October 14, 2020

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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Shelbee on the Edge - October 15, 2020

Sock monkeys are always so adorable! I love the colors and pattern that you chose for this whimsical little guy! Thanks for sharing and linking up with me!

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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creativejewishmom/sara - October 17, 2020

Just saw that you shared this two craft schooling sunday’s ago, sorry i missed it, and LOVE it, I’ll feature it next week, and hoping to make some myself, this is the best tutorial I’ve seen!

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Naush Samama - October 19, 2020

I love your detailed tutorial, Helen. The sock monkeys look so cute. I wish I could sew as well as you, unfortunately, I can barely manage to sew a button or maybe a very basic stitch. Thank you very much for sharing with us at Meraki Link Party.
Much love
Naush

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Malin Sensational Learning with Penguin - October 20, 2020

Super cute sock monkey, and this might even be easy enough for me to make! Thanks so much for sharing at #KCACOLS, I hope you come back again next time! x

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Rachel Day - October 24, 2020

I have so many odd socks about this is the perfect use for them. ? #kcacols

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Karen - March 31, 2021

Hi!
Love the sock monkey!
Are the socks adult or child size?

Thank you!

Reply

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