Making a sock monkey is a fun craft project for kids that will also get them started on the basics of how to sew. So dig out a colourful sock from your drawer and download the free printable sock monkey pattern to get you started.

What you need:

• 1 x FREE printable sock monkey sewing pattern
• 1 x colourful pair of socks
• 2 x eye buttons
• 2 x shirt buttons
• 1 x piece of ribbon + bow (neck decoration)
• stuffing (you can use cotton wool)
• needle and thread
• thick black thread
• scissors

Number of players:

Activity:

Start by cutting your socks up as per the printable sock monkey pattern.

Lay the socks on the table with the heel facing up and the toe end pointing down. You will need to flatten the heel bit to lay the cutting pattern onto the socks.

Cut the socks according to the pattern.

Once you have all your pieces laid out, turn them inside out.  Use a needle and thread to sew a backstitch along the edges, leaving one end open for each piece to add the stuffing (see video.)

To make the head, use a running stitch to gather it together at the top, fasten it and then turn it right side out.

Once you’ve sewn up all the pieces and turned them right side out, stuff them with stuffing (the tail does not need to be stuffed).

To sew up the openings, use a running stitch and gather the ends together in a bunch.

Sew the head to the body by matching up the edges and sewing around the neck. Cover the neck join with a piece of ribbon (see video).

Sew on the arms, ears and tail.

For the face, use a running stitch around the outline of the heel of the sock (see video) and then use black thread to sew a mouth from one side of his face to the other.

Sew two black buttons on for eyes.

And add two decorative buttons down his chest, plus a ribbon bow tie on his neck.

All done!

Hints and tips

If you don’t know what ‘backstitch’ and ‘running stitch’ are, you can go here for a simple how to sew video tutorial

• Thanks to our sister company Kidspot Australia for creating the instructional video and printable templates.