DONKTOBER - Sock Donkey Tutorial

This post is part of Donktober 2012.  For more information please see here.

Meet Delilah.  She is a Sock Donkey.  No, that isn't a typo - monkeys are soooo 2011 afterall.  ;)

Like monkeys, though, Delilah can be a little bit cheeky at times and she loves to climb trees.  She's definitely a lot of fun to have around.

So, would you like to welcome your own little Sock Donkey into your life?  Well, it's your lucky day as I've prepared an easy, peasy tutorial for you to make a whole bunch of friends for Delilah.  Yay!

Ok, let's start.

YOU WILL NEED:

1 pair knee high socks, in a funky colour and/or pattern 

Matching thread

Needle

Softie filling

2 buttons for eyes

Fabric scissors 

Sewing machine

STEP 1: PREPARE YOUR SOCKS

Turn both socks inside out (wrong side out) and lay flat, with the heel pointing upwards.  Pin down the sides.  Pinning is particularly important if you're working with stripes.

Please note: this may seem extremely confusing but I chose to have my donkey with the inside of the socks as her finished coat.  I know, I'm strange, but I liked the subtle stripes.  Thus my pics are showing the right side of the fabric, when you will probably prefer to be working with the wrong side.  Sorry for the confusion!

STEP 2: CUT THE MAIN PIECES

Each sock now needs to be cut approximately half way between the heel and the top.  Please refer to the above picture to get an idea of what each piece will be used for.

STEP 3:  SEW THE EARS

Beginning about an inch below the heel, sew 1/4" from the centre down towards your cut.  When you are nearly at the end taper around to the side seam, creating a nice rounded end for the ear.  

Don't stress too much about this step as the stretchy material is quite forgiving if your rounded ends aren't perfect.  If, like me, you would like to have a second go then go right ahead.  You may find that the first attempt had a basting effect, thus making it easier the second time around.

Repeat on the other side to create the second ear. 

STEP 4:  SHAPE AND FILL THE EARS AND HEAD

To separate the ears, cut around the ends and then straight down the middle, between your stitching lines.  Stop at the point where you started stitching.  Then cut 1" towards the heel, through one layer of sock only.  

Turn out  the sock through this extra 1" cut and fill.  Stitch the hole closed.  Congratulations, you now have the donkeys head and ears.

STEP 5:  REPEAT!

Repeat steps 3 & 4 to make the body and legs.  Yes, it's exactly the same method! 

Sew together these two pieces, at the neck. 

 STEP 6:  SEW, SHAPE AND FILL THE ARMS

Yes, I know they are really the front legs but for the purposes of clarity I'll call them arms.  Plus, if Delilah is clever enough to climb trees, then I think she's a new breed of donkey.  ;)

Grab your piece for the arms, and using the exact method you did for the ears and legs, start sewing at the cut end taper off when you reach the top of the sock.  Repeat on the other half to create both arms.  

Turn right-side out and fill.  Attach the arms to your donkey body. 

STEP 7:  PREPARE THE MANE AND TAIL

Separate the mane and tail pieces by cutting length-wise, just over the half way point.  This will allow for the mane to be a little bit longer.

STEP 8:  MAKE THE MANE

Cut strands in the mane to create the look of hair.  Be sure not to cut all the way through the width of the sock though.

Hand sew down the centre line onto the head and between the ears.  I then tied various strands into loose knots to ruffle it up a little more but it is entirely up to you.

STEP 9:  MAKE THE TAIL

Folding in half, right sides together, sew along the length of your tail from your original cut and stopping approximately 1.5" - 2" from the end.  As with the mane, cut this unsewn section into strands.

Turn tail right sides out and attach to your donkey.

STEP 10:  SEW ON THE EYES AND YOU'RE DONE!

Enjoy your new donkey friend. Don't forget to let me know if you make one.  I'd love to see him or her! And be sure to email me with any questions if you need any help. I'll do what I can.


There are currently two fabulous Donktober giveaways running so be show to check them out and throw your name in the hat to for the chance win some donkilicious fabrics.  You'll find them here and here.  Good luck!

E.