When I was very young, my grandmother presented me with my first red heeled sock monkey doll, and I thought he was the most adorable creature.
She had made him herself using the classic Rockford red heeled socks.
You can easily make your own red heeled classic monkey doll.
Sock monkey supplies are very simple and inexpensive.
The main costs are the Rockford red heeled socks and the fiberfill or stuffing.
The only other main ingredient is your time.
I have seen some monkey dolls made with socks of other colors besides brown, but I like the classic dolls best and make mine from the brown socks.
You do not even have to make your sock monkey from red heeled socks.
I've seen dolls made from a variety of fabrics, including a colorful striped monkey if you can imagine that! However, if you are wanting a classic replica of the original doll, you'll want to use the brown red heeled socks.
Sock monkey dolls are a classic collectible, and they vary widely in appearance.
I've seen some that did not have the filled muzzle, and I've seen them in a variety of sizes.
You will find them with and without hats, and some do not even have tails.
I traditionally use buttons for eyes, but if the doll is for a small child, you might consider making the eyes by sewing X's using black embroidery floss.
You can stuff your sock monkey with various materials such as fabric scraps, old nylon stockings, or quilt batting.
I use poly fiberfill available from my local craft store.
You can make a sock doll without a sewing machine, but it will take you longer to complete your monkey project.
Even if you do use a sewing machine for the longer seams, you will still have stitching to do by hand, such as attaching eyes, arms, legs, tail, muzzle, cap or fez, and sewing the holes closed used to stuff the sock monkey.
If you choose to make your doll without a sewing machine, be sure to use good quality hand stitching or your doll will come apart at the seams.
If the doll is to be played with by a child, you will want secure seams.
So if you do not have a sewing machine, you might consider a kit that comes with the machine sewing done for you and comes ready to assemble.
Sock monkey supplies include: * One pair of red heeled socks * Black embroidery floss * Scissors, pins, ivory thread, needle * Sewing machine (helpful but not mandatory) * Buttons for eyes (unless you are going to sew the eyes) * Red yarn or fabric for scarf * Red yarn for cap, or you can use a red Pom-Pom instead * Doll stuffing (nylon stockings, fiberfill, quilt batting) * Sock monkey pattern (not required, but very helpful) A note about patterns: I've seen some patterns that were very vague on how to complete the doll, so if you are going to get a pattern, get one that is very detailed and gives you ALL the instructions you need, not just a few basic ones.
If you are a seasoned crafter and make these types of items often, you'll most likely be able to figure out how to complete the doll even if you have an incomplete pattern.
If not, don't leave yourself hanging on how to finish your doll.
Get a good set of instructions to start with and the project will go much more smoothly, for experienced and inexperienced crafters alike.
Don't skimp on stuffing when filling your doll.
You have to be firm when stuffing and make sure you push the stuffing into all areas of the doll.
You do not want empty voids.
You'll need good quality stitching at your seams so the stuffing does not cause them to pop open.
I like to double seam everything just to be sure my doll will withstand stuffing and the playful hands of a child.
You, too, can enjoy a time treasured collectible like the classic sock monkey doll.
The sock monkey supplies are very inexpensive, and you can make dolls not only for yourself, but friends and relatives, too.
These dolls make excellent gifts.
Happy Crafting!