Sock Monkeys

When I would play games with my mom on Pogo.com she was always joking about acquiring a sock monkey in her favorite game, Thousand Island Solitaire. She thought it was funny that was one of the prizes that you could receive at one of the ports. Since she passed away in 2009, every time I see a sock monkey, I think of her, and how she enjoyed playing her games on Pogo.com and all the friends that she made through that site.

I have started a small collection of sock monkeys since then. I can look at them and think of her. I know she would especially like the Seminoles sock monkey :)

She would always tell me that she wanted me to figure out how to make them. Well, I've finally done it Mom! Crocheted of course :)

I started with sock monkeys for my nieces. Here is the pattern that I used: Crochet Sock Monkey Pattern from Patons Yarns

Then my cousin Jeremy requested that I make him and his girlfriend Kendall sock monkey hats. Here is the pattern for those: Sock Monkey Hat Crochet Pattern (I altered Jeremy's a little so it was a tad bigger than the pattern.)

Of course, next I had to make a sock monkey hat for Hannah. I didn't use a pattern for this one. This was all freehand. If you'd like to know how I did it just let me know and I can see if I can figure out what I did :)

Then, I got to thinking. I wonder if I can make smaller sock monkeys. So, I got out my crochet hook and some pink yarn (of course I always have some of that around!) Using the above sock monkey pattern for reference I eventually came up with this.

A baby sock monkey! I think she turned out pretty cute, don't you think?? :)

Eventually, I may figure out how to sew them. I even have a pair of the socks that were used to make them. But for now, I think that I'll stick with using my crochet hook. 

If you anyone has any questions about any of the patterns, just let me know. I've made them all so I can try to answer you as best that I can. 

Criss-Cross Keyhole Scarf

Recently my grandmother requested that I make her a keyhole scarf. My mom had made her one and she wanted one in a different color. Here is what I came up with for her:

Criss-Cross Keyhole Scarf

Materials:

1 skein Red Heart Shimmer Yarn (I used black)

Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook

yarn needle

scissors

Criss-cross stitch:

Skip next stitch and DC. Go back and DC in skipped stitch. Criss-cross made.

CH 34

1.  DC in 3rd CH from hook and each CH across. Turn. (32 DC total) 

    (CH 2 at beginning does not count as DC)
2.  CH 2. DC in first stitch. Criss-cross stitch in each stitch to last stitch. DC in last stitch. Turn.
3.  CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

4 - 6 Repeat rows 2-3

Begin keyhole:

First row:       CH 2. DC in first stitch. Criss-cross stitch 7 times. DC in next stitch. Turn.

Second row:  CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat 2 keyhole rows 6 more times. Fasten off.

Other side of keyhole:

First row:        Attach yarn at next stitch of first row. CH 2. DC in same stitch. Criss-cross stitch 7 times. DC in next stitch. Turn.

Second row:   CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat 2 keyhole rows 6 more times. Fasten off. (Keyhole complete.)

Attach yarn on the end of first side of Keyhole. 

CH 2. DC in first stitch. Criss-cross stitch in each stitch across. When you get to the keyhole just continue across. DC in last stitch. Turn.

CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat these 2 rows until you reach desired length. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

My grandmother requested that I add fringe to hers. It's up to you if you want to or not!

Enjoy!