How to Make a Sock Monkey and Eat Chocolate Biscuits

Want to know how to make a sock monkey and eat chocolate biscuits at the same time?

At a recent school fair one of my friends made some sock monkeys to sell on the craft stall. We instantly fell in love with each and everyone of them. They all had their own personalities and looked adorable as they perched amongst our craft goodies. They soon captured the hearts of both parents and kids alike. They all sold very quickly and I have to admit I had trouble letting go of the last one. I quickly gave him one last cuddle as I handed him to his new owner who was standing there with a bemused look on her face. I decided right then and there that I just had to create one for myself.

I convinced my friend that our quilting/craft group should have a "how to make a sock monkey night" and so it was promptly arranged.

We all arrived with our socks and chocolate biscuits in hand (experience has taught me that chocolate is always good for a long night of sewing). We all compared socks then positioned them with scissors ready. The orderly member of our quilting group looked a little dismayed and murmered that she'd feel better with a pattern. Truth is however this is where the magic lies.

Our friend the sock monkey expert urged us on and with her instruction, we were chopping into socks from all angles. Little did we know that with each cut of the scissors our sock monkey personalities were forming.

Before long we were whizzing away on the sewing machines and stuffing to our heart's content.
As we started sewing our monkeys together, the laughter began as we observed the monkeys starting to come alive. We soon realized that out of the evening a family of happy little sock monkeys had emerged. Each sock monkey was unique. One was fat, one had a skinny tail, one had a huge tail, one was small and one looked very old. We proudly placed our sock monkeys on the lounge for a final inspection, each and everyone of them made us smile.

When I arrived home quite late, I crept through the house trying not to disturb hubby and the kids who were all sound to sleep. I carefully positioned my sock monkey on a cupboard in the kitchen where I knew my 3 kids would discover him the next morning. And then crept off to bed myself.

As the kids woke I heard the delight in their voices as they met my sock monkey for the first time. My sock monkey had worked his magic and he had won a place in their hearts already. Trouble is now they all want one. Seems another how to make a sock monkey night is in order! Better stock up on chocolate biscuits.

Here's a picture of my sock monkey who is for my 2 year old neice for Christmas.



Here's a close up so you can get to know him (I feel it's a him although I don't know why!)



Here are some other sock monkeys I found on Flickr











After seeing all these wonderful sock monkey characters I think I need some practise!
I'm sure my neice will love him anyway.

I've also started an Elephant. But as you can see he is still in pieces. Hope to bring him to life tonight.



I'll let you know how he turns out.

Meanwhile if you would like to learn how to make a sock monkey, here's a wonderful book which will inspire you to make lots of cuddly, soft, adorable creatures.

Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves