DIY Network

Monkey Business You'll go ape over these cute monkey-themed crafts! From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-604

Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza are monkeying around with some crazy craft ideas. They go toe-to-toe with some super-cute sock monkeys, make fun and functional card cases that totally fit the bill, and mix up a scrumptious banana cream pie that has mass ap-peel.

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Stuffed Sock Monkeys

This classic American sock monkey is affordable, easy to make and a ton of fun for crafters of all ages.

Stuffed Sock Monkeys

Materials:

a pair of Rockford Red Heel socks
polyester fiberfill
red yarn
red thread
sewing machine
hand sewing needles
black embroidery floss

PDF Sock Monkey diagram: click to enlarge.

1. Turn the socks inside out. Working with the first sock, sew a 1/2 " seam on both sides of the center, starting 3" from the white heel and across the end of the top (figure A). Cut the sock between the seams and to within 1-1/2" of the white heel; this leaves an opening in the crotch (figure B). Next, turn the sock so the seams are on the inside and use the crotch opening to stuff the head, body and legs. The remainder of the steps are for the second sock.

Note: The Rockford Red Heel sock monkey diagram is included at right.

Figure A

Figure B

2. Turn the monkey body right side out, break off small clumps of stuffing and begin stuffing the body and legs (figure C). Add stuffing until the body and legs are firm (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

3. For the arms, cut the upper part of the sock into two pieces. Seam the fabric, rounding the ends, and stuff the cavity. Hand-stitch the arms to the body (figure E).

4. To make a tail, cut a 1" strip, tapering to the end of the cuff the length of the front of the sock. Seam, stuff and stitch the tail to the body (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F

5. For the mouth, cut the heel from the sock, leaving a brown edge around the white. Fasten onto the lower part of the face, whip-stitching around the bottom (figure G). Stuff the mouth and finish sewing around the top. The mouth can be improved by a running stitch of either black or white across the middle of the lips.

6. Cut the ears from the remaining brown sock sole and hand-stitch them to the head of the monkey (figure H).

7. Embroider eyes on the face with black thread (figure I).

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

8. At this point, the monkey is finished, but you can continue to sew costumes for her or him!

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