Part 1

Chapter 13,755 wordsPublic domain

How to Make SOCK TOYS

_for_ • BAZAARS • SHUT-INS • GIFTS • PROFIT _and_ • FUN

OVER 50 TOYS TO MAKE

A _PACK-O-FUN_® PUBLICATION

All designs in this book may be used to make sock toys for gifts or for sale by individuals or organizations. It is not necessary to secure permission from the publisher.

However, no part of the text or any design illustrations may be reproduced by any printing process without the permission of the publisher, with the exception of brief quotations used for reviews in other publications.

To a Monkey.... Whereby This Tale Is Hung

This book is dedicated to a monkey, a whimsical little fellow whose body is a sock and whose heart is hidden somewhere in cotton stuffing. During the summer and early fall of 1955 several of our friends and readers of Pack-O-Fun magazine wrote to us about him. We learned that instructions on how to make him could be had from the Nelson Knitting Company of Rockford, Illinois. We received permission to reprint the instructions and thus our new friend, the Red Heel Sock Monkey, made his appearance in the November 1955 issue of Pack-O-Fun.

We expected a mild response and were quite unprepared for the deluge of mail that poured into our office and the Nelson Knitting Company. We had no idea that so many people were interested in making a toy monkey out of a few socks. The requests kept coming in long after our supply of this issue was exhausted and we had to reprint the instructions as a separate folder to keep from disappointing readers all over the country.

We began to think in terms of other sock toys but there were so many other things to do that the idea was shelved for just a “little while.” Like so many other “little whiles” this one stretched into weeks and then months. Our little friend, the Red Heel Sock Monkey, sat in lonely splendor.

Several months ago Michelle Graff joined our staff as an artist. Much to our delight we learned that she was quite adept at creating and making all kinds of stuffed toys. Within a short time the Red Heel Sock Monkey was no longer lonely. He had several friends to play with after we had turned off the lights and left the office.

One of his most constant playmates was a roguish Sock Elephant. We decided to use this packed pachyderm in some of our ads in other magazines and once again the response was greater than we had dared expect. That settled it. We decided to change a “little while” into “now” and publish this book.

We have used the Nelson Red Heel socks for most of the animals, dolls, puppets and novelties in this book for many reasons. One very good reason is that the red heel lends itself to the creation of lovable toys. The brown body gives the feeling of warmth that a stuffed toy must have and the white ribbing and toes provide material for faces, feet, hands, etc.

Another good reason is that the Nelson Red Heel socks are quite inexpensive, selling for about 30c a pair and even less in lots of one dozen or more. These prices vary somewhat throughout the country. That brings us to our third good reason. They are nationally sold and can be found in many variety, dry goods and chain stores. They can also be ordered through many mail order houses.

All you need are some socks, scrap materials for stuffing and clothing plus a steady eye to thread a needle. The instructions have been written as simply and made as complete as possible. Pick out your toys, thread your needle and start. And, to make it even more fun, vary the features, the trimmings and clothes to bring out your own creative abilities and personal touches.

{Edna N. Clapper} Edna N. Clapper

TABLE OF CONTENTS

To a Monkey 2 SOCK ANIMALS Red Heel Monkey 5 Elephant 7 Teddy Bear and Daschund 8 Polar Bear and Piggy 9 Donkey and Pony 10 Kitten and Puppy 11 Bunny 13 Squirrel, Chipmunk and Begging Dog 14 Kangaroo and Baby Puppet Kangaroo 15 SOCK DOLLS Scrappy 17 Doll Instructions 19 Girl Doll and Pixie 20 Soldier and Engineer 21 Dutch Girl and Scotch Lass 22 Mexican Boy and Chinese Boy 23 Eskimo Boy and Hula Girl 24 Cowboy and Indian 25 Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood 26 Santa Claus and Clown 27 CLOTHING AND SPECIAL EFFECTS Jackets and Aprons 28 Pants and Skirts 29 Shoes and Boots 30 Hats, Caps and Hoods 31 Hair and Facial Expressions 32 Tips and Tricks 33 FINGER PUPPETS Witch 35 Katie and Jamie 36 Pirate and Indian 37 Lion and Billy Goat 38 ARM PUPPETS Crocodile and Variations 39 Clown and Ringmaster 40 PUPPET SKIT AND CHARACTERS Skit—Phineas Rides Again 41-42 Susie Starfish and Phineas Fish 42 Clem Clam, Sheriff Sam Sponge, Oily Oliver Octopus and Louie the Lobster 43 SOCK NOVELTIES Penguin and Duck 45 Double Dolls 46 Owl Pillow and Humpty Dumpty 47 Hobby Horse and Weenie Doll 48

Printed in the U.S.A.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR MONKEY

Turn sock inside out. Start 3″ from white heel and sew two seams ½″ apart and across end of the rib.

Cut sock between seams to within 1½″ of white heel. This leaves opening for stuffing.

Turn sock right side out. Stuff with one hand and mold shape to suit with other.

Sew up opening from top to bottom so that legs are spread apart and not pulled together.

To shape head, tie loosely at neck with ribbon. For a more floppy head tie ribbon tighter.

For feet, bend legs into L-shape for desired foot length and sew crease with strong white thread.

RED HEEL MONKEY

SOCK NO. 2

CAP: Cut off toe of the sock, leaving ½″ of brown to roll for a trim.

TAIL: Cut a 1″ strip the entire length of the front of the sock. Seam and stuff.

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

ARMS: Cut the remaining upper part of the sock into two pieces. Seam and stuff.

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

EYES: The eyes can be made either by sewing on buttons or by embroidering them with black thread. In this same operation a nose can be indicated by two small embroidered marks.

There are many variations from this basic pattern. Decorations can be either pom poms, yarn or bells. Sometimes a fez is used for a cap. Jackets and skirts are also used for clothing the monkey.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAGES 7-15

Turn sock inside out. Cut off most of the rib, leaving about 1″ for white feet.

Start 3″ from heel and sew two seams, ⅛″ each side of center line and across end of rib.

Cut between seams and about 1″ into body to make opening for stuffing. Turn sock right side out.

Insert ovals of cardboard or wood to shape feet. Stuff legs and rest of sock nice and plump.

Sew up opening in body to bring legs together and to prevent them from bowing out.

To shape head, tie a ribbon loosely around neck. Do not tie tightly as head will wobble.

ELEPHANT

FORELEGS: Measure and cut forelegs from second sock so that body stands level—about 5″. Turn inside out, seam along one side and across foot. Turn right side out, insert stiff ovals in feet, stuff and stitch to body (Figure 1).

MOUTH: Cut off complete heel. Stuff lightly and sew to head. Stitch across center to shape mouth (Figure 2).

TRUNK: Use an 8″ strip of sock, tapering from 6″ to 1″. Seam wrong side out, turn, stuff and insert wire. (See tips on wiring, page 33.) Sew to head above mouth. Insert pipe cleaner tusks (Figure 3).

EARS: For each ear cut two pieces from sock (Figure 4). Seam and turn right side out. Sew on level with highest point of trunk.

EYES: Sew on round or oblong buttons set apart. Embroider eyes for small children.

TAIL: Make a short roll of material and sew in place.

TRIM: Sew on a fringed or tasselled “blanket” of bright material. Rick rack, little bells, ribbons or beads will give a more circusy appearance.

TEDDY BEAR

For the body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions for the monkey on page 5, but leave only 1″ of white at the ends of the legs and stuff plumper.

ARMS OR FORELEGS: See instructions for the monkey on page 5, leaving only 1″ of white and stuffing plumper.

NOSE: Cut toe from second sock. Stuff lightly and sew to the front of the head (Figure 1). Pull the head down to the chest and stitch securely (Figure 2).

FEATURES: Embroider a solid V-shaped nose in black yarn. Make three long stitches with brown yarn to form upper lip and mouth. Sew on two round brown buttons for eyes, spaced well apart (Figure 3).

EARS: Cut four ear pieces from sock. Sew two together, leaving an opening to turn. Turn and stitch to side of head, pleating the front half to incline ear forward. Repeat with the other ear (Figure 4).

TRIM: Tie a bow of 1″ wide bright ribbon around neck. Or make Mr. Teddy Bear a soldier, engineer, cowboy or any other colorful character by using the doll costumes shown in this book.

DACHSHUND

For body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions on page 7, but stretch the body as long as you can as you stuff and make legs 2″ long instead of 5″.

FORELEGS: See instructions for elephant on page 7, but make 2″ long.

NOSE: Cut toe from sock and sew into a point on the wrong side (Figure 1). Turn and stuff lightly. Sew to front of head with seams on the top and bottom.

TAIL: From sock cut a strip 3″ long, 1″ wide and sew into a tube. Stitch to body.

EARS: Cut four as shown (Figure 2). Seam, leaving an opening to turn. Sew unstuffed ears to sides of head, pushing the ears up a little for correct angle. Sew to hold in place.

FEATURES: Make two stitches in black yarn (Figure 3) where eyes will be. Sew a round dark button inside each. Embroider a solid V-shape nose in brown yarn (Figure 4) and add a red felt tongue below mouth (Figure 5).

TRIM: Fasten a narrow strip of red leatherette around neck. Glue sequins to this collar or paint little gold dots to resemble studs. For greater realism, an inexpensive collar may be used.

POLAR BEAR

Use white athletic socks. For body (Sock No. 1) follow basic instructions on page 7, but make legs about 4″ long.

FORELEGS: See instructions for elephant on page 7.

NOSE: Cut toe from sock, turn inside out and sew into a point (Figure 1). Turn and stuff. Sew to the front of the head, pulling it into shape. (Polar bears have longer snouts than other types of bears.)

TAIL: Roll a 1″ square of sock into a tiny tail and sew to body.

EARS: Cut two ears from sock, and two from pink felt, petal-shaped (Figure 2). Sew sock and felt pieces together leaving an opening for turning. Turn right side out and stitch to head, about 2″ apart. Pleat the felt side (facing front of head) as you stitch.

FEATURES: Embroider a solid V-shaped nose with black yarn, using three stitches for upper lip and mouth (Figure 3). For eyes, use small white buttons sewn over brown discs.

TRIM: Fasten a narrow strip of felt around neck, decorate with beads and attach a chain or cord. Or, use black leatherette to make a harness (Figure 4).

PIGGY

For body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions on page 7.

FORELEGS: See instructions for elephant on page 7.

NOSE: Cut toe from sock, insert a small circle of cardboard and stuff (Figure 1). This makes the snout. Sew to front of head.

TAIL: Roll a 4″ strip of sock into a tube shape and insert a length of wire (see page 33 for tips on wiring). Sew closed and pull one end into a point (Figure 2). Sew the other end to body and curl the tail round finger to get corkscrew effect.

EARS: Cut four ears from sock as shown (Figure 3). Sew two together, turn and sew to side of head. Repeat for other ear.

FEATURES: Cut a pink felt nose (Figure 4) and stitch to front of snout. Embroider two stitches for the mouth lines (Figure 5). Since Piggy’s eyes are slits, exaggerate them for more expression. Embroider wide ovals in brown yarn, adding small brown buttons in the middle. Add a few eyelashes.

FEET: Make a stitch in the middle of each foot and pull tight to form trotters (Figure 6).

DONKEY ’N’ PONY

SOCK NO. 1

Follow basic instructions on page 7 for Steps 1, 2 and 3. To shape neck and head, sew a seam tapering from about the middle of the foot to about the middle of the toe. (See Figure 1, above.) Then, turn sock right side out, stuff and sew as shown in Steps 4 and 5 on page 7. This will form the neck. Do not tie, as head is made from separate piece.

SOCK NO. 2

FORELEGS: See instructions for Elephant on page 7. Make somewhat thinner.

HEAD: Cut toe from sock (Figure 2). Turn inside out and seam. Turn right side out and stuff. Sew to neck (Figure 3). The head can be placed at various angles (Figure 4). Shape nose, making it a little longer for the donkey.

TAIL: For the donkey braid a fairly thin tail from yarn or other material with a tuft-like tip. For the pony make the tail much fuller.

EARS: For the donkey, cut two long ears from sock (Figure 5) and two from brown felt. Sew sock and felt pieces together, leaving an opening for turning. Turn right side out and insert shaped pieces of wire (Figure 6). (See page 33 for tips on wiring.) Sew ears to head, pleating in front to curl the ears a little. For pony, cut shorter ear pieces and omit wire.

FEATURES: For nostrils, embroider two tear-shaped patches in brown yarn. For eyes, use two leaf-shaped pieces of black felt sewn to each side of the head. Over each piece, sew a flat button slightly smaller than the felt. To shape the mouth, make a long stitch with brown yarn across the lower front of the face and pinch sock around the mouth stitching to form lips (Figure 7).

MANES: A variety of materials can be used for manes. Remember that the donkey’s mane is much thinner and stringier than a pony’s mane. For the donkey, strands of black yarn can be used or a piece of black felt can be cut in a saw-tooth shape with long teeth.

TRIM: Bridles can be made from colorful leatherette. Sew pretty buttons over pieces that are stitched together to hide the joints (Figure 8). A short piece of chain will serve as a bit. For the donkey, make a colorful “blanket” with tasseled edges. Little packs, made from the toes of old colored socks can be sewn to the blanket to heighten the effect. For the pony, make a shorter “saddle blanket” and add a saddle made from an oval piece of leatherette.

KITTEN

Use white athletic socks. For body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions on page 7.

FORELEGS: See instructions for elephant on page 7.

NOSE: Cut complete toe from sock. Stuff lightly and sew to front of head, or sew to side to make kitty look to the right or left (Figure 1).

EARS: Cut two petal-shaped ears from sock and matching ears from pink felt. Sew one of each together, leaving an opening for turning. Turn and stitch to sides of head (Figure 2).

FEATURES: For eyes, cut two oblong pieces of white felt and sew to face. Sew little green buttons, highlighted with specks of white, to felt. Use tempera or white india ink for specks. Embroider nose in pink yarn, adding three little stitches to form mouth (Figure 3). A scrap of red felt sewn to the lower stitch looks like a tongue (Figure 4). For whiskers, insert broom straws or brush bristles through face near mouth.

TRIM: Use a big colorful bow with a little bell under the chin. For an extra playful look, sew a ball of yarn to front paws.

PUPPY

For body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions on page 7.

FORELEGS: See instructions for elephant on page 7.

NOSE: Cut toe from sock. Turn inside out and stitch across toe to shape a square nose (Figure 1). Turn and stuff lightly. Sew to the front of head with the seam running side to side (Figure 2).

TAIL: Cut as shown (Figure 3), seam, stuff and sew to body.

EARS: Cut as shown (Figure 4), seam and turn. Sew the 2″ side to the head, pleating in front a little to incline the ears forward. Push the ears up a bit and hold in position with a few small stitches.

FEATURES: Cut two semi-circular pieces of black felt. With curved side up, sew to face just above the nose seam. If desired, the felt may be cut into points to look like eyelashes. Add button or embroidered eyes and an embroidered nose.

TRIM: A gay felt collar or bright ribbon will do much to achieve a lively look.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAGES 13-15

START WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 5, STEPS 2 THROUGH 6.

Step 7

To shape head, pull white toe down for face and stitch to body. Tie loosely at neck with ribbon.

Step 8

Push leg against body, hold in place with one hand and stitch to body. Repeat for other leg.

Step 9

Bend legs into upside down V with white part about 1½″ longer. Stitch to hold position.

Step 10

Bend white part of leg outward to form foot. Stitch to hold and repeat for other foot.

BUNNY

For body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions on page 7 and above.

FORELEGS: Cut about 4″ long, turn inside out, seam along one side and across the foot (Figure 1). Stuff and sew to body about ½″ apart. To keep arms from sagging, insert wires while stuffing. (See page 33 for tips on wiring.)

FEATURES: For the nose, embroider a solid “V” in pink yarn. Three stitches with black yarn makes the mouth (Figure 2). Sew on bright buttons, spaced well apart, for eyes. Add a few curved stitches in black for curly eyelashes. Insert broom straws or brush bristles for whiskers.

EARS: Cut two petal-shaped ears, 6″ long, from sock and two from pink felt (Figure 3). Sew sock and felt pieces together on the wrong side, leaving an opening for turning. Double two 12″ lengths of wire into petal shapes and insert in each ear, fastening at base of ear. Sew to sides of head with pink side forward. Pleat the felt to incline the ears forward.

TAIL: Mold a fairly large ball of cotton or use a white yarn pom pom.

TRIM: Use the prettiest bow you have and dot it with sequins and tiny spring flowers.

SQUIRREL ’N’ CHIPMUNK

For body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions on pages 7 and 13.

FRONT LEGS: See Bunny’s front legs on page 13.

FEATURES: To make nose, pinch part of face into a little ball and wind yarn around it. For pouchy cheeks, use nylon thread or very strong white thread, and baste a circle on each side of the nose and ending just under the nose (Figure 1). Pluck stuffing into puffs in the middle of these circles for cheeks. Tighten stitching to hold cheeks in place. Embroider mouth with red yarn and add small brown buttons for eyes. Use broom straws or brush bristles for whiskers, pushing them through sides of face.

EARS: Cut two pointed ears from sock and two from felt (Figure 2). Sew sock and felt pieces together, leaving an opening for turning. Turn and sew to top sides of head. Pleat felt.

TAIL: Sew a thin strip of sock about 6″ long. Insert a wire and bend to shape (Figure 3). Sew to body. Use brown pom poms or jersey loopers to build up a bushy tail. Make squirrel’s tail somewhat bushier than the chipmunk’s.

STRIPES: Sew strips of black fur or felt down back of chipmunk only, spacing them about ½″ apart.

BEGGING DOG

For body (Sock No. 1) follow basic instructions on pages 7 and 13 with the exception of step 7. To pull face upwards stitch across back instead of front (Figure 1, above).

FRONT LEGS: See Bunny’s front legs on page 11. To achieve the down paws effect insert wires into legs and bend into L-shape (Figure 2). (See page 33 for tips on wiring.)

FACE: Cut toe from sock, stuff and sew to head (Figure 3). Add a red pom pom for a comical nose. For a doleful mouth, embroider a modified upside down V-shape and sew a lolling, long red felt tongue underneath it (Figure 4).

EARS: Cut two pieces from sock and two from pink felt (Figure 5). Sew together, leaving opening for turning. Turn and sew to side of head with ears hanging down.

EYES: Cut circles of brown felt and sew to face. Sew white buttons on circles. For a droopy look, cut crescent-shape pieces of felt and sew over so that only part of eye buttons show (Figure 6).

TAIL: Make a stubby tail from a roll of sock and sew to body.

TRIM: Add a woe-be-gone hat (see page 31 for hat designs) or a floppy ribbon bow.

KANGAROO

For body (Sock No. 1) follow the basic instructions on pages 7 and 13 but sew opening in opposite direction so that legs spread apart and there is room for the pouch. Stretch legs by pulling before stitching into sitting position.

FOREARMS: Follow directions for front legs on page 13, making them somewhat thinner and shorter.