It’s been a long time since I did anything with my socks, except wear them. The one and only time I’ve made a sock monkey was back in 2008 but they are still very much in vogue.
Sock Puppet Madness
Take Bawston the ornery cat puppet, for example. He’s a baseball fan with a questionable temper, so watch what you say to him. A more friendly guy is Sebastian Metaphor. He may seem aloof with his hipster appearance but behind those sleepy eyes lies a heart of gold. If you are a sophisticated sort why not have a crack at Penelope Durtlinger, an heiress to a small fortune with an insatiable thirst for power.
All three feature in Sock Puppet Madness which includes 35 of the most fun, outlandish, off-the-wall and enchanting characters on the planet, and by following the simple step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to put together your own puppet in no time. The book is by Marty Allen, a Boston-born, Brooklyn-based puppet-maker, artist, writer, musician and liker of life. You can find out more about him by visiting his website at www.martystuff.com.
The book is laid out really well which makes it easy to follow each pattern. Templates are included at the back of the book but need to be copied at 200% although you can also copy them freehand to make your puppet unique. The sock puppets don’t require any sewing which means anyone can make them. They are simple to create, using just a few readily available materials that cost next to nothing, from felt to cardboard, buttons and marker pens – plus everyone has an old sock they can use, right? So what are you waiting for?
Sock Puppet Madness by Marty Allen is published by CICO Books at £12.99, and is available from all good bookshops or call 01256-302699.
Giveaway: Sock Puppet Madness
If you would like to win a copy of Sock Puppet Madness just leave a comment below and let me know who you would make a sock puppet of – perhaps a celebrity or even your other half?
For an extra entry tell others about the giveaway using the Retweet button below or tweet this message: I want to get digging in my sock drawer and make sock puppets with @gingerbread_mum
For a final extra entry subscribe to the gingerbread house via email updates (in the top left corner) or follow the gingerbread house on Google+
Small print:
The prize consists of one copy of Sock Puppet Madness. The giveaway ends February 21st at 8pm. The winner will be selected at random from all entries received and notified by email or their twitter handle. The prize is as stated: no cash alternatives are available. UK and ROI only.
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The winner is Cerys at rainydaymum.co.uk
Helen Dickinson
February 12, 2013 at 10:04 amI would make a sock puppet for my little boy. I would try and make him a special penguin as he loves them or a puppet of himself!
I have tweeted as @MummyToTheMax x
Christina Field
February 12, 2013 at 9:18 pmI would try and make a postman pat sock puppet,or shaun the sheep.I would make them for my grandson
claire curtis
February 12, 2013 at 9:25 pmI would try to make a sock puppet monkey for my little boy
Andrea MacLeod
February 12, 2013 at 9:26 pmI would try and make a peppa pig puppet for my daughter!
Laura Harris
February 12, 2013 at 9:34 pmLady GaGa – making outfits for it would be a hoot!
Laura Baker
February 12, 2013 at 9:34 pmI would make a sock puppet of my neighbour totoro – so cute! http://pinterest.com/pin/143763413074823892/
sarah smith
February 12, 2013 at 9:52 pmmickey mouse – my daughter would love it
jemma price
February 12, 2013 at 9:56 pmI would love to do this with my son and make him happy 🙂
hannah oneill
February 12, 2013 at 10:03 pmI’d make one of Boris Johnson
Gary Topley
February 12, 2013 at 10:06 pmI would make one of Keith Lemon 🙂
Kirsty Fox
February 12, 2013 at 10:55 pmI would make a sock puppet of my husband and make it really plump, lol, don’t tell him I said that!!
Kirsty Fox
February 12, 2013 at 10:56 pmI have tweeted – @bloomingfox
Kirsty Fox
February 12, 2013 at 10:56 pmI am subscribed via email – robertfox24 [at] aol [dot] com
Brigitte Leprince
February 12, 2013 at 11:30 pmI would make a Madagascar puppet sock not sure which character yet, but would make it nice and colourful!
Tweeted and followed @Rainbow1861
younglee
February 13, 2013 at 1:42 pmlooks a great book!
i would make a sock puppet of a duck for my son theo as it was his first word and he loves them so
and maybe a horse as playing with one is better than eating one…. boom boom 😉
Paul Meulen
February 15, 2013 at 1:50 pmBob Marley
dawn
February 15, 2013 at 2:59 pmI would make a Comic Relief themed sock puppet (with red nose, boppers etc.) and use it ro raise money on 15th March
Tina Holmes
February 15, 2013 at 4:13 pmThe hungry caterpillar!
KATHY D
February 15, 2013 at 4:18 pmDJ my nieces bearded dragon
claire toplis
February 15, 2013 at 5:09 pmI would choose Jon Snow … Because then I can have Snow every day
Cate E
February 15, 2013 at 5:27 pmI’d make a sock puppet of Animal from the Muppets, who is our son’s favourite (as well as his Dad’s!). This is a great idea to use up odd socks, and random socks given as presents for Christmas that will never get worn!
Lucia Jefferson
February 15, 2013 at 6:55 pmI would make a crocodile with lots of teeth!
Carolin
February 15, 2013 at 7:36 pmI’d attempt to make a sock of David Beckham. It won’t be anywhere as good looking, but I could snuggle with it every day 😉
@caro_mad
Carolin
February 15, 2013 at 7:37 pmI have also tweeted as @caro_mad
Here’s the link to my tweet:
https://twitter.com/caro_mad/status/302501842393374720
vicky morton
February 15, 2013 at 8:01 pmI would make a sock puppets of my children and my husband, he’s really easy to do because he’s got massive eyebrows!! 😀
Laura Pritchard
February 15, 2013 at 8:58 pmI’d try to recreate the dragon from ‘Room on the Broom’ – my son loves him!
Laura Pritchard
February 15, 2013 at 8:59 pmTweeted the message @Isis1981uk
Lisa Aldwinckle
February 15, 2013 at 10:54 pmThe Gruffalo for my son!
charity Nyamukondiwa
February 16, 2013 at 10:33 ami have a 4 year old who is in love with sock puppets and has been saving all her old tights so we can make some puppets …will make them of each other …
sarah rees
February 16, 2013 at 11:32 ami would try a sock puppet penguin 🙂
Heidi Marie Marshall
February 16, 2013 at 5:10 pmKermit The Frog! Let’s get retro….for my Granddaughter. Love the Muppets! We could go the whole way and do all Muppet Puppets 🙂
Miss Tracy Hanson
February 16, 2013 at 9:13 pmWould make one of our dog. So that my great-niece can have her own special “Roxy” 🙂 😀 x
Alex Telford
February 16, 2013 at 9:44 pmI would make one of my husband so my lil boy could still see him when daddy’s at work. Don’t think it would be as good as the real thing though!
Alex Telford
February 16, 2013 at 9:48 pmTweeted @alexaaandra_t
Louise
February 17, 2013 at 11:02 amId make some with my boys for their puppet theatre @astrongcoffee1
Ruth McLees
February 17, 2013 at 5:48 pmIt would have to be an alligator sock puppet with teeth made from white felt and button eyes
Jennifer Toal
February 17, 2013 at 6:49 pmI’d love a Simon cowbell one;)
Ian Dowson
February 18, 2013 at 10:39 amI would make one of Superman, heroic Sock puppet to protect all other Sock Puppets!
Fiona Matters
February 18, 2013 at 12:40 pmMy dog – a nice black and white collie!
Crystal
February 19, 2013 at 11:44 amI think we’d make my parents so the kids could feel closer to them as they are overseas.
@bluebearwood
February 19, 2013 at 1:37 pmI’d make a sock puppet of our rather large tabby cat Pompom
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
February 19, 2013 at 8:37 pmWhat a fabulous looking book. I would love to make a mad professor puppet complete with crazy hair like Einstein 🙂