When growing up my mum always had a single sock bag for all the socks that couldn’t get paired up. We all went through it at times but when we could finally find no more matches the single socks went into the bin.
I now have a new use for single socks as long as they aren’t too worn or have any holes! So far I have bought new socks but will start using different ones to get a mixed up look!
The new use is Sock monkeys! I am now on the fourth one and have three more to make for family. Buster had a small monkey but wanted a stripy one to match K’s so yesterday we went to Poundland and he picked a pair of socks he liked- grey children’s over the knee ones- these are a bit big but I just cut them to size.
Last night I started to assemble the monkey. First you take one sock and hold it with the heel to the floor, decide on the length of legs you want and as this is the distance from the heel to the leg cuff cut the socks if they are too long.
Once you have the leg length worked out (it can be the complete sock if it is a normal ankle sock or knee sock) then cut the leg length in half.
With the other sock cut out the heel – this will make the monkeys nose. Then cut two arms around the same length as the legs a tail and two ears.
Turn the main sock inside out and start Sewing up the legs leaving a gap in stitching in the crotch and then turn the sock the correct way and start to stuff.
Sew up the arms, ears and tail and turn the right way and stuff before sewing onto the main body of the monkey at this stage you can see the head and bum, legs a lot clearer.
Hand sew on the heel from the second pair of socks to the face as the nose and stuff.
Sew on two eyes- I used buttons for the first time and neither Buster or I like it so these will be removed tonight and replace with felt eyes.
Chain stitch a smile onto the nose and your monkey is complete.
