How to Make Sock Puppets
If you are looking for easy craft ideas or kids crafts projects, here is an article on How To Make Sock Puppets. I co-teach a Puppet Theater class to children during the summer and thought it would be nice to share this project with others.
Basic Materials needed:
* One long, elbow length, patterned sock
* A 6″x8″ piece of cardboard or poster board (an old cereal box is suitable)
* Wiggle eyes
* Felt
* Yarn
* Old wine cork
* Glue Gun and glue sticks
* Sharpie or chalk
Step 1: Position the long sock so that the heel is is face down, and the sock is laying flat in the shape of a long rectangle.
Step 2: Draw a curved line with dark marker or chalk(depending on the color of your sock) under the sewn part of the toe of the sock. Cut along the curved line through both layers of the sock. This should leave you with a cutout in the sock that will roughly match the arch of your hand.
Step 3: On cardboard or poster board draw an oval that is 3 1/2″x5″. Cut out the oval. On pink felt trace around the oval so it is slightly larger than the cardboard cutout. Fold the cardboard shape in half and with hot glue adhere the oval cutout along the inside opening you cut out by the toe of the sock.
Step 4: Once the glue has dried glue the pink felt mouth shape to the cardboard mouth shape, completely covering the cardboard.
Step 5: Begin decorating your puppet!!! Place your hand and arm into the sock first, so you can see where to design the face. The heel of the sock should be on the top of your wrist, otherwise it will look like your puppet has a sagging neck.
Miscellaneous Tips:
It’s good to think of character traits before beginning your puppet so the features match the personality. My puppet is a horse, very girlie, and quirky, maybe even a bit nerdy. Can you find the visual clues on my puppet that describe those traits of her personality?
* To create the eyes I cut 1/4″ pieces off a wine cork. This works great in helping the eyes stand up. You could also use cotton balls or pom-poms.
* Use felt, yarn, or even hair extensions to create hair for your puppet.
* Add a tongue or teeth to your puppet. If you create a shark maybe your teeth should be sharp!
Felt may also be used to create ears on your puppet. If you want the ears of your puppet to stand up straight, glue a piece of cardboard between two pieces of felt in the shape of the puppets ears.
That’s it! Hope this was helpful and have a great time with your new friend!
Kimberly Bylo is the owner of Love Life Live Life, handcrafted beaded jewelry and making beaded jewelry, and is an artist, a designer and a teacher. She also created the Beaded Jewelry Necklaces Blog and contributes regularly to all of her sites.
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