Make It Yourself Monday

Instructions For Making The Red-Heel Sock Monkey Toy

MATERIALS:

1. One pair of Rockford Red Heel Socks� (see bottom of page)
2. Stuffing - cut up old nylon stockings, cotton batting, kapok, shredded foam rubber or polyester fiber.
3. Red knitting yarn.

INSTRUCTIONS:
TURN THE SOCKS INSIDE OUT Sew a seam (A) 1/2 inch on both sides of the center of sock starting three inches from the white heel and across the end of the top.� Cut the sock between the seams and to within 1-1/2 inches of white heel.� This leaves an opening in the crotch.

Then turn the sock so the seams are on the inside and use the crotch opening to stuff the head, body and legs.

ARMS:
Cut the upper part of the sock into two pieces.� Seam, rounding the ends and stuff the arms.

MOUTH:
Cut the heel from the sock, leaving a brown edge around the white.� Fasten on lower part of the face, whip-stitching around the bottom; stuff and finish sewing around the top.� The mouth can be improved by a running stitch of either black or white across the middle of the lips.

TAIL:
Cut a one inch strip, taper to end of cuff on length of front of sock.� Seam and stuff.

EARS:
Cut the ears from the remaining brown part of the sole of the sock.

EYES:
Sew on moving eyes, buttons, felt, or embroider with black thread.� (For very small children embroider the eyes.)

CAP: (Optional) Cut off toe of another sock, leaving 1/2 inch of brown to roll for a brim.� Sometimes a fez is used for a cap. There are a number of places on the web where you can purchase the socks to make your own sock monkeys. I don't keep track of them anymore since my preferred source closed their doors. Do a Google search and I'm sure you won't have any problems finding a retailer.





The Original Rockford Red Heel Sock Elephant

Instructions:

TURN SOCK INSIDE OUT.

Cut 3-1/2 inches off rib of sock.� Starting 3 inches from the heel, sew a 1/8 inch seam on each side of the center line and across the end of the ribbing.� Cut the sock between the seams and about 1-1/2 inches farther to make an opening for the stuffing.� Turn sock right side out.

Head and Body:
To shape the head, stuff foot of sock nice and plump and tie off loosely at the neck with ribbon.� Insert 1-1/2 inch circles of cardboard in feet and stuff.� Finish stuffing, sew legs and slit in the crotch, making one seam on underside of the body and the other up toward the tail.

Legs:
Cut the second sock as shown, about 5 inches long.� Turn inside out, seam along one side and across the foot.� Insert pieces of cardboard in fee, stuff, and attach near the front of the body.

Mouth:
Cut off complete heel from the second sock.� Stuff it lightly and sew it to the head.� Stitch across the center to shape the mouth.

Trunk:
Open flat strip of sock so it is about 1 inch wide at one end and 6 inches at the other.� Round the wide end.� Fold in half lengthwise, inside out, and seam along one edge and around the narrow end.� To bend and hold the trunk in various positions insert a piece of wire through the length of the trunk.� Insert pipe cleaner tusks.

Ears:
For each ear, cut two pieces in the shape of the ears.� Seam and turn right-side out.� Sew on level with the highest point of the trunk.

Eyes:
Sew on moving eyes, buttons (my personal favorite), felt, or embroider with black thread.� (For very small children be safe and embroider the eyes.)

Tail:
Make a short roll of the material and sew into place.

Trim:
Trim is optional.� A fringed strip of bright material can be placed over the back, or tassels may be sewn on.� Rickrack, little bells ribbons or beads naturally give the toy a more festive, circus-like appearance.

The original Rockford Red Heel Socks are manufactured by Fox River Mills, Inc. of Osage, Iowa. You can visit their web site at www.foxsox.com. Be advised however, that they are not in the business of selling their products directly to retail customers. Their site has a very handy "store locater" feature to help you find a retailer in your area.