How To Make A Sock Monkey - Create Whimsy

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Sock it to me! Learn how to make a sock monkey with this step-by-step tutorial. All you need is a pair of socks, some stuffing, buttons for the eyes (or embroider them!) and some embroidery thread for the mouth. It is helpful if the toes and heels are different from the rest of the sock to highlight the mouth, feet and hands of the adorable and goofy sock monkey!

Even though the classic style has button eyes, if you are making the sock monkey for a very young child, use pieces of felt or fleece appliquéd or embroider the eyes – buttons can be a choking hazard.

With our tutorial, you don’t need a sock monkey pattern. Just use our cutting guides and have fun!

Continue to Content Prep Time: 10 minutes Active Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Difficulty: Beginner

Learn how to make an adorable classic sock monkey with our step-by-step tutorial.

No need to purchase a sock monkey kit - it's easy to make one with our step-by-step directions.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.

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Materials

  • One (1) pair of socks, preferably with contrasting toe and heel. Traditional sock monkeys are made with red heel socks.
  • Polyfill or other toy stuffing
  • Thread that blends with color of monkey
  • Fray-Check
  • Embroidery floss or thread for mouth. I used Perle cotton #8
  • Two (2) buttons
  • OPTIONAL: Scrap of fleece to make a scarf for the monkey

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Hand sewing needle
  • Fabric scissors
  • Embroidery needle suitable for thread selected
  • Corner turner, optional but recommended

Instructions

  1. Start with a pair of socks. Sock monkey start with a pair of socks
  2. Turn the socks inside out with the wrong sides out.sock monkey turn them inside out
  3. Place one sock with the heel facing up; this will be the body of the monkey. And, the second sock with the heel placed to one side will be for the other body parts. sock monkey turn them inside out
  4. If your sock has a small cuff, cut it off - it is too thick and not consistent with the rest of the sock. sock monkey cut off the cuff
  5. Here is a diagram of how to cut the socks. If you want the legs or arms shorter, don't cut them as long. Sock Monkey how to cut out the pieces
  6. Here is how to cut the tail and mouth from the other section. sock monkey cut the tail and mouth
  7. Once you have cut out all of your pieces, you are ready to sew. I started with the body, but you can start with any of the parts. With the right sides together, start at the fold along one of the sides of the monkey. Sew across the raw edge at the bottom of the foot, turn and sew up the leg. sock monkey start sewing across the foot
  8. Stop and backstitch about 1-inch from the center between the monkey legs. sock monkey sew up to about 1-inch from the crotch
  9. Sew the other leg the same way. Now you have an opening to turn and stuff the monkey body. sock monkey opening left for turning and stuffing
  10. Turn the monkey body inside out. I like to use this long corner turner to get into the feet and make sure they are all poked out. You can use the blunt end of a knitting needle, too. Just make sure not to poke through the fabric.sock monkey use a corner turner to help turn right side out
  11. Here is the monkey body turned right side out.sock monkey turned right side out
  12. Fill the monkey body with poly fill. I started by filling the feet and up the monkey's legs, then the main body. sock monkey all stuffed
  13. Slip stitch the opening closed. Some people use a ladder stitch for this. TIP: Use double thread. Knot the end. Take a little stitch and loop your needle through the loop with the knot. This secures the knot and it won't slip through the sock. sock monkey showing details of knot Stitch the opening closed.
  14. I like to go ahead and make all of the rest of the body parts and sew them to the monkey. For the monkey arms, with right sides together, start sewing at the fold along the hand. Leave the tops of the arms open so you can stuff them.sock monkey sew the arms
  15. Next, sew the tail together. Again, with right sides together, start at the tip of the tail and sew up the side, leaving the top open.sock monkey sew the tail
  16. Finally, sew the ears. With right sides together, sew around the curved edge, leaving the straight edge open.sock monkey sew the earssock monkey finish sewing the ears
  17. Here are all of the parts sewn together.sock monkey parts all sewn together
  18. Turn them right side out. Again, use a corner turner to help poke out all of the corners.sock monkey all parts turned right side out
  19. Now, stuff each of the monkey's body parts with the toy stuffing from the open end. I don't put much fill in the finished ears, just enough to make them stand out. You don't want them stuffed full.sock monkey all parts stuffed
  20. Next, let's work on the monkey's head and give him a neck! Knot your thread and then wrap around the neck several times. sock monkey beginning to make neck
  21. Pull the thread tight and tie a knot. Add a dab of Fray-Check to the knot to keep it secure. sock monkey pull threads to form neck
  22. Next, sew on the tail piece. I like to sew the open edge closed first, then using a whip stitch sew along one edge and turn to sew the other edge. sock monkey sewing on the tail
  23. Then, using the same technique, sew on the arms and ears. Place the arms close to the indent for the neck.sock monkey ready for its mouth
  24. Next, we'll embroider the mouth. sock monkey begin to stitch the mouth
  25. I started stitching across the top of the mouth and used a chain stitch, but you can use any line stitch. I stitched around the outside of the contrast area (was the heel of the sock).sock monkey using chain stitch to outline mouth
  26. Then I stitched across the center to reflect the mouth opening.sock monkey mouth all embroidered
  27. For the mouth of the monkey, I pinned it in place before whip stitching to the face. Add a little bit of the poly fill. Begin sewing and add more poly fill as you go along. When the mouth is almost all attached, but you still have a little opening, add a little more to fill it out. Stitch the opening closed and tie off your thread.sock monkey stitching the mouth on
  28. The monkey is all sewn together!sock monkey all sewn together
  29. Sew on the button eyes. Or use some embroidery floss and embroider eyes on your monkey. Another option is to cut fleece or felt and hand appliqué the eyes. Optional: Cut a piece of fleece for a scarf for your monkey to cover the neck. Just make a few short snips into the ends for fringe. sock monkey make a scarf from scrap of fleece
  30. Last step: tie the scarf on the monkey and it is done! sock monkey finished

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Dritz 3150 Bamboo Point Turner & Presser Dritz 3150 Bamboo Point Turner & Presser
  • FoxRiver Original Rockford Red Heel Lightweight Crew Monkey Sock - 2 Pack, Brown Heather, Medium FoxRiver Original Rockford Red Heel Lightweight Crew Monkey Sock - 2 Pack, Brown Heather, Medium

Did you make this project?

Please share a photo on Instagram and tag us @createwhimsy. We'd love to see your creations!

Do I have to use a special sock to make a sock monkey?

No – any sock works! Just use one for the body and one for the other parts. If you have a smaller sock, it will just have shorter legs and arms.

Have fun and play around with different types of socks. Make them big and small – make a barrel of monkeys!

Are sock monkeys washable?

If all of the materials you use for the monkey are washable, then, yes, it is washable. Most socks are cotton or acrylic (or a blend). Most fiber fill is poly or poly-cotton. Both of these components are washable. Toss the monkey in with linens and he’ll come out clean from the dryer!

Share your adorable sock monkey with a little one in your life and let them have some fun!

sock monkey finished 3
Monkey sitting on the fire truck
sock monkey finished 4
Monkey giving a kiss on the cheek
sock monkey finished 5
Giving monkey a hug
sock monkey finished 6
Monkey helping build something – with a truck in the other hand!
sock monkey finished 7
Taking monkey to play outside
sock monkey 8
sock monkey finished 9
sock monkey finished 10
sock monkey finished 11
sock monkey finished 12
Playing monkey basketball

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Tag » How To Make Sock Monkeys