How to Design Original Sock Monkeys

The original sock monkey doll was made from brown Rockford Red Heel socks and became popular in the early 1900s. The sock monkey pattern was included in a book by the Nelson Knitting Company and was available by mail order for only $1.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 pair Red Heel socks
• Black knitting yarn
• Scissors
• Needle
• Brown thread
• Cotton stuffing
• Optional buttons

The Monkey's Body, Sock Number One

1. Turn the sock inside out. Sew two seams that run from 3 inches from the white part of the heel of the sock to the top of the sock. Leave enough room between the seams so that the sock can be cut. Don't forget to sew the top portion of the sock.

2. Cut between the seams up to 1 ½ inches from the white portion of the heel. The hole in the center will be the crotch part of the monkey, and the opening for stuffing the monkey's body.

3. Turn the sock right side out and stuff the head and body portions of the monkey.

Monkey's Body Parts, Sock Number Two

4. To make the tail, cut a 1-inch strip down the entire front side of the sock. Sew the right sides together, as well as one end of the strip. Turn right side out, and stuff. Fold the ends of the tail inside the tail and blind stitch the end. Sew onto the monkey's bottom.

5. Cut the entire portion of the heel off to make the monkey's mouth and nose. The nose and mouth are are made from the same piece of sock. Indicate the mouth by stitching a straight black line across the middle of the red portion of the sock. Whip stitch the bottom of the heel to the monkey's face and stuff. Once the mouth and nose area is completely stuffed, sew the top portion with a whip stitch to complete.

6. To make the arms, cut the remaining upper portion of the sock into two equal pieces. Repeat the sewing process that was used for the tail, stuff, and sew onto the top portion of the monkey's body.

7. For the monkey's hat, cut off the toe of the sock. Leave part of the brown area so the hat will have a rolled end. Attach the hat to the monkey's head with a blind stitch. A pompon or tassel can be attached to the top of the monkey's hat.

8. For the ears, cut out 2 two-sided half-moon shapes from the sole, and stuff. Attach the ears to the sides of the monkey's head with a blind stitch.

9. The sock monkey's eyes can be either made from two black buttons sewn onto the face, or by embroidery stitching two eyes directly onto the face with black thread.

Tips & Warnings

• While the original sock monkey is brown and white, sock monkeys can be made from other colored socks.

References

• Original Sock Monkey Pattern
• Sock Monkey Pattern