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Socks are great for wearing, but who knew they were also great for cutting up and making into cute little stuffed animals? From the traditional sock monkeys that have been around for ages to crazy monsters, knowing the basics of making a sock creature body means anybody can make just about any sock animal their little heart desires. Not only are these plush creations fun to make and showcase around the home, they also make terrific gifts.
What you’ll need:
•Two clean and/or preferably new socks don’t get little socks that barely cover the heel, but long socks that would go a couple inches past the ankle. The bigger and longer the sock, the bigger the stuffed sock creature.
•Scissors
•A needle and thread (get a sturdy thread that will resist a little tugging and pulling at the seams).
•Sewing machine: the entire project can be sewn by hand, it will just take a little longer. A sewing machine isn’t necessary, but helps.
•Two buttons (for eyes).
•Embroidery thread (for stitching on the mouth).
•Stuffing: craft stores sell various sized bags of this stuff. It’s just like polyester puffs of snow or funky destroyed cotton balls.
Understanding sock animal anatomy:
When making any sock animal it is important to understand what each part of the sock is used for. Sock one is used solely for the head/ body and the legs. With a cut up the middle of the sock, the legs are made and already attached to everything else. The second sock is used for making arms and a tail, as well as ears and a muzzle (or nose or mouth, however you look at it). Practically every part of both socks is used, so it’s important to make clean cuts and no mistakes.
Step 1:
Cutting the main body:
Turn sock one inside out and lay flat so the heel is facing up and centered. The sock shouldn’t be angled when flat, it should be near straight and a little puffy in the middle where the bend of the sock would be.
With the toe part of the sock facing away from you, make a cut straight down the middle of the sock from the end (where the sock opening is) to 1-2” from the heel. The sock should now look like a rounded body with two dangling legs. Take each of the legs and cut the ends to make them rounded like feet.
Step 2:
Stitching and stuffing the legs and body:
With a needle and thread or sewing machine, stitch around the feet and up each of the legs, stopping at the crotch area.
The reason the crotch is not sewn yet is because the hole that is left is necessary for stuffing the sock. Once the legs and feet are sewn up leaving no gaps or holes for stuffing to escape, carefully turn the sock right side out with the seams on the inside.
Now begin to stuff the head/ body and legs through the hole that was left in the crotch, making sure not to overstuff (make the stitches along the inside of the legs and feet bulge out and show). Once the animal is all stuffed, sew up the crotch.
Step 3:
Cutting arms, tail, ears and muzzle from sock two:
Refer to the diagram for how to cut the remaining attachments for your creature from sock two.
Step 4:
Stitching on the rest of the attachments:
The arms and tail are sewn up similarly to the body/legs. Flip the piece inside out and sew along the outside edge, leaving an opening at the end for stuffing.
Flip the piece right side out, stuff, and sew onto the appropriate part of the body. The tail is best placed slightly above the heel of sock one, or essentially the creature’s rear end. This helps with balance when sitting the animal down.
The ears will each have two pieces. Put the right sides together and sew along the curved edge, leaving the straight edge open. Flip right side out, stuff and sew onto the top or sides of the head. The muzzle, which is one single piece, (the toe of sock two) can be sewn straight onto the front of the face. Once it’s half sewn on, stuff the muzzle and continue sewing it on.
Step 5:
Making a funny face:
Now that the body/head has all its attachments sewn on, it’s time to give the creature a personality. Sew buttons on above the muzzle for eyes.
Use embroidery thread to sew a mouth or nostrils onto the muzzle, or add eyelashes or eyebrows to the face.
Variations:
This was just the basic pattern for an animal. The ears don’t have to be semi-circles and the muzzle doesn’t have to be added at all if you don’t like it. If you’re unhappy with the ears all together, skip cutting out extra ears and make cuts on the closed toe end of sock one, just making sure to sew them back up when the sock is inside out. If the tail is too long and you would like it shorter, make a cut opposite the end with the toe to shorten it up. You can also make clothes for your new little creature and other accessories if desired.
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