Create an adorable sock monkey and his little sock bear with knee socks, fiber fill and felt and a Free Sock Monkey Pattern! This fun project brings back a classic toy, and makes a wonderful handmade gift. Included in this post is a free pattern with full sized templates. Create a cute keepsake!

Making sock monkeys from socks is a fun project that involves a mix of machine sewing and hand sewing. This project is perfect for handwork in the evenings and the end result is a cute heirloom monkey and his buddy the bear. This post even includes the Free Sock Monkey Pattern! Pick out a fun pair of socks and lets make something fun!

Cute Sock Monkeys and a little sock bear made with socks and fiber fill.

This is Suzy from SuzysSitcom.com. While working at the campground this summer, I mentioned to the owner that I planned on making some sock monkeys for my granddaughters. One of her daughters happened to be standing there. “What is a sock monkey?”, she asked. Oh, the current generation has no idea what a sock monkey is! How could that be?

So, I showed her a photo and of course, she asked if I could make her one too. Sure!

Then my husband mentioned that she has two other sisters and I could not make her one and not each of them one also. So…I made five sock monkeys and five little bears to go with them! And in the midst of it all, I made you a free sock monkey pattern to go along with them! It has been a busy summer!

How to Make Sock Monkeys

Creating these fun Sock Monkeys is simple and involves a bit of hand sewing. Enjoy a quiet evening creating this classic toy with this free sock monkey pattern!

What you need:

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Knee socks and ankle socks used to make sock monkeys.

Sock Monkey Supplies:

One pair of brightly colored Cotton Knee High Socks
Assorted Felt in bright colors
Thread, Needle for hand sewing
Embroidery floss
Fiber Fill (1 lb. bag will be more than enough for monkey and bear)
Fabric Glue (Optional)
Beads
Fabric Pen
Free Pattern and Full Sized Templates (See download instructions below)

Sock Bear Supplies:

Get the Free Sock Monkey Pattern

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Creating the Sock Monkey:

How to place knee socks for sock monkey pattern.

Turn the Knee High Socks Inside Out

Turn the socks inside out and place them as shown above. The sock with the heel facing up will become the body and legs of the monkey and the sock with the heel to the side will be the rest of the body parts.

Draw the Pattern onto the Socks

Use the free pattern templates and diagrams to draw the pattern onto the socks with a fabric pen. The dotted lines above represent the seams that you will sew with a sewing machine. The green lines are the cutting lines. The measurements for the arms and legs are approximate depending on the width and length of the socks you are using. Adjust to fit.

Sew along the Dotted lines

Using a sewing machine, sew along the dotted lines. Cut along the cutting lines being sure not to cut across your sewn seams. You are now ready to assemble the sock monkey!

Stuffing the body for a handmade sock monkey.

Stuff the body and Legs

Turn the body and legs right side out by pulling the fabric through the unsewn opening at the top of the legs. Stuff with fiber fill. Once the monkey is stuffed to your liking, use a needle and thread in matching color to sew the opening at the top of the legs. Close the opening with a ladder stitch. Keep the stitch about an eighth-inch away from the edge.

Sewing on the arms and tail for a handmade sock monkey.

Stuff the Arms and Tail

Turn the arms and tail right side out. Stuff with fiber fill. Use a needle and thread in matching color to sew the arms and tail onto your monkey using a ladder stitch.

Creating the Face

Use the templates in the free pattern to cut out the face out of felt. Choose a color that goes well with your sock colors. Center the felt onto the sock face and either stitch it down with matching thread or use fabric glue. For a finished edge, I used a blanket stitch with 3 strands of embroidery floss. (Optional)

Add the nose that you cut out of the toe of the sock, by sewing it on with needle and thread and then stuffing it as you go.

Sewing on the eyes for a handmade sock monkey.

Finishing the Face

Using the free templates, cut the eyes out of felt and glue in place with fabric glue. Using a needle and thread, sew a white bead onto each eye to give him a “sparkle”. To finish, knot the thread and then pull it through as shown above. Clip.

Draw the mouth on with fabric pen. Use three strands of embroidery floss and the chain stitch to create the mouth.

Sewing on the ears for a handmade sock monkey.

Creating the Ears

Turn the ears right side out. No need to stuff these! Use a needle and thread to sew the straight edge of the ear together. Bring both corners of the straight edge together and tack together with needle and thread. Sew the finished ear onto each side of the head.

Adding the hairbow to a handmade sock monkey.

Creating the Hair Bow

Cut the cuff off of one of the socks. Knot it and then hand sew it onto the top of the head as shown.

Creating a felt necktie for a handmade sock monkey.

Creating the Necktie

Cut a necktie out of felt using the template for the optional necktie. You can finish the edges with a blanket stitch and three strands of embroidery floss. Glue in place using fabric glue.

Creating the Sock Bear:

Laying out ankle socks to create a handmade sock bear.

Turn the Ankle Socks Inside Out

Turn the socks inside out and place them as shown above. The sock with the heel facing up with become the body and legs of the bear and the sock with the heel to the side will be the rest of the body parts.

Diagram for layout of handmade sock bear pattern.

Draw the Pattern onto the Socks

Pieces of handmade sock bear ready for sewing together.

Sew along the Dotted lines

Using a sewing machine, sew along the dotted lines. Cut along the cutting lines being sure not to cut across your sewn seams. You are now ready to assemble the sock bear!

Creating the head and body of a handmade sock bear.

Creating the Bear Body

Turn the bear body sock right side out. Use fiber fill to stuff the head of the bear and then use the cuff of the sock to tie around the neck of the bear, creating a knot in the back.

Stuff the rest of the bear body and legs. Use a needle and thread to sew the opening closed at the top of the legs. Stuff the arms and sew into place. Sew the ears into place using the method used for the monkey. Use the templates to cut out the face, nose and eyes from felt. Glue into place with fabric glue.

Here’s the printable card with everything you need to know about how to make Sock Monkeys and Sock Bears!

Cute sock monkeys made with socks and fiberfill

Print Instructions Pin for Later

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