Thursday, October 02, 2008

A Handcrafted Christmas: Sock Monkeys

I really wanted to make sock monkeys for my littles this year and had fun choosing different types for each of them!

I found a good tutorial here and followed these directions for the most part. I have always kind of thought that sock monkey eyes were scary - so almost didn't put any on. But, I hope that these will look ok and not be too frightening!

Here's a link to the original socks if you'd rather go the traditional route!

Meet Mabel, Marvin and Mildred - I think these will look great peeping out of the top of stockings!

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Monkey!

Heh! These look even cuter in person. I know at least one person in the house is going to be having fun with them :)

Wendi said...

Those are really cute! I love the stripes.

Kimberlee said...

Those are sooooo adorable! Thanks for another great idea!!!

Anonymous said...

Very cute! :) Love, Mom

Monica said...

Those are very cute!!!

Renee said...

I had a sock monkey that my grandma made me when I was 5 she was my best friend! her name was Molly! thanks for reminding me of that memory! I love the ways yours turned out! super cute!

Amy said...

Emily got a sock monkey last year (I just bought it since I am not crafty) but it was one of her favorite gifts. I love the colors you chose!

Paige said...

I made sock monkeys last year, with the original socks and directions. The original socks to fray quite easily so getting your own socks is a great idea. If you want a package deal, Amazon.com has two pairs of socks, bag of batting and the directions in one kit.
Your's are super cute! I'll gather mine together and post those...
P~

~katie~ said...

How adorable & fun!! :-)

[In our extended family, we have a "traveling family sock monkey" that gets secretly awarded to different family members at different gatherings throughout the year. Usually, it gets put in a gift bag at Christmas time or birthdays/parties...and every time the recipient pulls it out...it always gets a chuckle or two.] :-)

I love your personalized monkeys...and that you named them!

Also ~ the fact that you named one MABEL totally describes you I think.... Did you know MABEL stands for "Mothers Always Bring Extra Love"? :-) I think that fits you to a tea! (I saw this on "Mad About You" several years back.)

Great post!

Kassandra said...

I have never really been a fan of sock monkeys myself, but these are ADORABLE! Wow. I love them! :o)

Anonymous said...

Cute! Cute! Cute! And not one bit of creepiness!!!

Kris

Katy said...

Those are soooo cute!!! I love them!

Tammy said...

Those are cute! :)

It's a Mom Thing said...

You know I was eating this post up! theEdge's nursery is decorated in sock monkeys. So far, we only have two and they were both gifts. And I did get an ornament for his first Christmas...also a gift.

These are so cute! And fun!

I've been reading lately, in a hurry, and not commenting as much. I hope you, the little ladies, and that sweet boy are doing well!

annamae said...

those turned out so darling and colorful! I made some from that exact same tutorial last year for my kids at Christmas :) though mine are more neutral.

MandMStudio said...

So adorable:)

Kelly @ The Barefoot Mama said...

Monica,

They're so sweet! Seriously, where do you find the time??!!!! Come and teach me to figure out when to be so crafty, LOL!

I'm LOVING this series! :o)

Elise said...

I love sock monkeys!! I have wanted to make them for my children for a few years now. Maybe this year will be the one??
Elise

homeschooldawn said...

These are so cute! Thanks for the idea. And the button eyes look great.

Carmen at Old House Homestead said...

Thank you for the link for the socks and instructions! I bought our oldest daughter a kit last Christmas and the socks were very bad quality. I might be willing to give it a try again with your links!

Hugs,
Carmen

Dolly said...

Monica-I love your blog-the colors, the projects and the pictures. WOW! Your a real Martha Stewart-with kids:) Thanks for the monkey project idea and instructions...my brother, Micah, is the graphic designer for Paul Frank in California. Their icon is the sock monkey :) I'll have to send some to him!

Anonymous said...

These are just adorable, Monica! The colors are gorgeous.

Jane said...

ad been given one, but I never thought about making one . Thank you for the link

Jamie - Family Focused Fun said...

Those names made me laugh. You've got my Dad's name, my Grandma's name, and my Great-Grandmother's name there! :)

Mom2fur said...

Those are too cute! They aren't scary at all! They're silly and fun!

Amy R. said...

Too cute! :) I've always wanted to make a sock monkey. Thanks for sharing Monica!

Amy Ellen said...

Okay those sock Monkies are just way too cute!!

Anonymous said...

Awwwwwwwwww.....I'm going to make some for my sister when she has a kid. (She has a pretty serious boyfried, but I'm trying not to tempt fate. LOL)

Aubrey said...

Very cute!! Makes me want to try them.

Anonymous said...

I am looking for socks to use. Do you (or anyone else) have any good spots? I've only done Walmart so far. Thanks so much!
LOVE the eyes! So not creepy!

AnnMarie Brown said...

Thanks for reminding me about these... going to look for socks to make one for my daughter for Christmas.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Hi RoseAnn -

I found the pink/purple socks at Target and the green/black stripe ones at Old Navy on clearance. Target also had boy colors - but, the clearance ones were cheaper!

Hope you find some fun socks! :)
Monica

Anonymous said...

I will check those out! Thanks for the idea! Love it!

Renee said...

Can't wait to try these!

Nystral Djo said...

Hi Monica,
The tutorial link isn't working anymore. I remember clicking on it when you first made this post, and looking through it all, but now coming back to it, I'm not having any luck. Can you try reposting? Thanks!

Monica Wilkinson said...

Hmmm - I can't get it to work either.

Here's another one to try:
http://craftwithme.typepad.com/craftwithme/2008/03/friday-tutorial.html

Carly said...

I know this post is an older one, but I love these! I think I am going to try to make a Valentine's monkey for my little one. One question: Are these regular socks or knee socks? Thanks! Love all your ideas!

Monica Wilkinson said...

CKR: Sorry it took me so long to respond - yikes!

These are more like knee socks. I found the girly ones at Target and the boys at Old Navy.

Have fun!