Sock Monkeys of the World

LOVE your monkeys! Actually just made three myself and discovered during the process if one cannot sew and wishes to semi-dress them they can use the cuff (the plain part) of the sock to make a sleeveless vest by:
a) Leaving about a 1″ margin (of tweed) when you cut it off the rest of the sock. (You will now have a plain tube with a tweed trim.)
b) Slide the tube over the monkey’s head with the elastic part (finished edge) of the cuff at the top. This portion forms the neckline.
c) Position the tube over the chest (including the arms), and with a pair of scissiors cut a ’small horizontal’ slit to create the armholes. Do NOT make it too wide. **Slightly smaller than the actual width of the arm is best and try to center it between the points where you have sewn the arm on. ie: Top of arm and the armpit.
d) Pull the arms thru each hole (slit).
e) Leaving the vest on the monkey, turn the fabric under to form a small seam and overcast (hand whip-stitch) with a piece of wool to give a nice finished armhole edge. Ensure you don’t sew it to the Monkey.
e) For the bottom edge of the vest; the fabric (tweed part) will naturally form a roll. By hand, slip stitch it into place. VOI-LA you are done!
Optional: Add embellishments if you wish like buttons, an applique etc.

Note: You will need an extra sock to do this but if you have a pair of long mittens or gloves I think the same method will work. Think of the finished cuff of the mitten/glove to be the same as the cuff of the sock.

Also: A togue can be made as well using the just the cuff. The finished edge will be the portion that acts as the headband while the cut edge (with just a small border of tweed) is gathered and tied off with a piece of yarn.

Though I do sew (but cannot knit), I hope these instructions will help a few others to dress their Monkeys if they so wish.