Sock Monkey Pattern

Sock monkeys are popular toys among kids. For adults, they are symbols of their childhood, and associated with the comfort that these toys provided. The first of these toys followed knitted patterns for sock monkeys and were made sometime in the 1920s in Rockford. It was only in the 40s and 50s that people started to use socks to make these toys. Patterns for sock monkeys, both traditional and modern styles, are easy to follow and can be easily made at home. In this article we'll help you to learn how to make a sock monkey in the traditional manner.

Red Heel Pattern
The best way to learn how to make vintage style sock monkey is to learn how to make a red heel sock monkey, as this was how these toys were traditionally made.

Things You Need

• Red heel socks, one pair
• Stuffing for the sock monkey
• Knitting yarn, red color

Instructions

• Take one of the socks and turn it inside out. Now sew the sock at both sides of their center at a distance of three inches from the heel. Sew till you reach the end of the top.
• Now between these two seams, cut the sock stopping at a distance of one to half inches from the heel.
• Once you are done with this, you can turn the sock over again and then use the opening to stuff it. This sock will form the head, body and legs of the sock monkey.
• For the arms of the monkey, cut the upper part of the other sock to get two pieces which when sewn with rounded ends and stuffed forms the arms.
• Cut the heel of this sock and use it to fasten on the lower part of the face. Whip stitch the bottom, stuff it and then sew it on the top.
• Cut a strip of the sock that is one inch long and create a tapering end with the front of the sock. Stuff it and sew it up to form the tail.
• Now with the remaining red heel part, cut out the ears.
• Use buttons or if you can embroider, then embroider to make the eyes of the sock monkey. If you want you can make a cap for the sock monkey with another smaller piece of sock.

Crochet Pattern
While makings sock monkeys, several people like to learn methods other than traditional patterns. If you are one of those people then here is how you can make crochet sock monkeys.

Things You Need

• Crochet hooks, G and E
• Worsted yarn, cream and red colors, 1 skein each
• Embroidery floss, black
• Buttons, black
• Needle

Instructions for the Tail

• The first step that you can start with is the tail of the sock monkey. Make three chains with the red yarn and slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring. Now crochet a single crochet into the ring ten times. Now make eleven rows, with a single crochet in each single crochet. It is important that you mark the beginning of each row.
• Now make a 12th row with seven single crochets and then cut the red yarn. The yarn should be cut at a length of 1 inch and then tied to the cream-colored yarn. Complete this row and then again single crochet in each single crochet from rows 13 to 15.
• In the 16th row, make two single crochets in the first stitch and single crochet in the four next crochets. This should add up to a total of 22 single crochets. Keep on crocheting rows of single crochet in each single crochet till you achieve the desired length of the tail. Fasten it and then stuff the tail.

Instructions for Arms

• To make the sock monkey arms, crochet through the first 11 rows of the tail with the red yarn, adding three rows of single crochet in each stitch.
• Now take the cream yarn and crochet row 15 for the arms in the same manner as you crocheted row 12 for the tail, and crochet row 16 and 17 of the arms by repeating the rows 14 and 15. Crochet row 18 to resemble row 16 of the tail and then continue to single crochet in each single crochet till you achieve the desired length.
• Fasten the arms and fill it with stuffing

Instructions for Feet

• To make the monkey's feet, make three chains and create a ring by joining the three chains with slip stitch, and then make 14 single crochets in the ring.
• Follow the instructions mentioned for the tail and make 14 single crochets for every row.
• When the feet are about two inches long, change the yarn from red to cream. Once you get the desired length of feet, fasten them and stuff them

Instructions for Body and Head

• The front side of the leg is used to make the body. Use the cream-colored yarn to attach it to the side of the leg with the help of a single crochet in seven single crochets. Make three chains and slip stitch the inner side of the other leg, and then make three chains and clip stitch to the first leg. Make a single crochet in each single crochet and then chain stitch around the legs for the second and third row. Tie it at the hip and then cut the yarn.
• Now start crocheting the bottom of the sock monkey with the cream yarn. At the first row, tie the yarn to the back of the body and then single crochet in 19 single crochets. Now reverse the monkey and make one chain and single crochet in 18 single crochets. Make a single crochet in the remaining single crochets in the second row and turn. Chain one and crochet single in every single crochet for the third row. Turn and single crochet in the nine single crochets and then change the yarn you are using and make 10 single crochets. Again switch to cream yarn and make 10 single crochets and turn.
• Make one chain, two single crochets with the cream yarn, then switch to red yarn, and again switch to cream yarn, making three cream single crochet for the fifth and sixth row. After this, turn again and crochet through the seventh to ninth rows.
• To finish off the bottom of the sock monkey, attach the cream-colored yarn to the yarn in hip area. Start crocheting along the belly area to the hip and then around the back of the monkey. Every time you want to finish a row, slip stitch. Continue this till the belly is done.
• Continue with the single crochets to make the head of the monkey and then fasten it.
• To make the muzzle of the sock monkey, make a rectangular piece of crochet that can be stuffed and sewn to the face. Remember to use red yarn in the middle of the rectangular piece of crochet to make the mouth. Once this is done, use the black embroidery floss and the needle to sew a line at the center of the mouth. Now pin the muzzle on the face and sew it to the face with the cream yarn giving it rounded off corners as you do so.
• Use black buttons to sew the eyes of the sock monkey.
• Use a piece of cream yarn to tie the neck area and create a clear distinction between the head and the body.
• You can use pieces of socks to make the ears of the sock monkey and then sew it to the sides of the head. Sew the arms and the tail that were made earlier, to the sock monkey.

Hopefully, these instructions for making a sock monkey has given you some idea about the different patterns that you can follow. While it is difficult to make crochet sock monkeys unless you are familiar with crochet, following traditional patterns is easy.