book review crafts handmade

Sock Puppet Madness

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.

sock puppet madness

All three feature inΒ 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.Β  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 Β£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 anΒ extraΒ entryΒ tell others about the giveaway using the Retweet button below or tweet this message:Β I want to get digging in my sock drawer and make sock puppets with @gingerbread_mum

For a finalΒ extraΒ 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 am

    I 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 pm

    I 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 pm

    I would try to make a sock puppet monkey for my little boy

  • Andrea MacLeod
    February 12, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    I would try and make a peppa pig puppet for my daughter!

  • Laura Harris
    February 12, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    Lady GaGa – making outfits for it would be a hoot!

  • Laura Baker
    February 12, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    I would make a sock puppet of my neighbour totoro – so cute! http://pinterest.com/pin/143763413074823892/

  • sarah smith
    February 12, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    mickey mouse – my daughter would love it

  • jemma price
    February 12, 2013 at 9:56 pm

    I would love to do this with my son and make him happy πŸ™‚

  • hannah oneill
    February 12, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    I’d make one of Boris Johnson

  • Gary Topley
    February 12, 2013 at 10:06 pm

    I would make one of Keith Lemon πŸ™‚

  • Kirsty Fox
    February 12, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    I 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 pm

    I have tweeted – @bloomingfox

  • Kirsty Fox
    February 12, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    I am subscribed via email – robertfox24 [at] aol [dot] com

  • Brigitte Leprince
    February 12, 2013 at 11:30 pm

    I 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 pm

    looks 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 πŸ˜‰

  • Paul Meulen
    February 15, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Bob Marley

  • dawn
    February 15, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    I 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 pm

    The hungry caterpillar!

  • KATHY D
    February 15, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    DJ my nieces bearded dragon

  • claire toplis
    February 15, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    I would choose Jon Snow … Because then I can have Snow every day

  • Cate E
    February 15, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    I’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 pm

    I would make a crocodile with lots of teeth!

  • Carolin
    February 15, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I’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 πŸ˜‰

    @caro_mad

  • Carolin
    February 15, 2013 at 7:37 pm

    I 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 pm

    I would make a sock puppets of my children and my husband, he’s really easy to do because he’s got massive eyebrows!! πŸ˜€

  • Laura Pritchard
    February 15, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    I’d try to recreate the dragon from ‘Room on the Broom’ – my son loves him!

  • Laura Pritchard
    February 15, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    Tweeted the message @Isis1981uk

  • Lisa Aldwinckle
    February 15, 2013 at 10:54 pm

    The Gruffalo for my son!

  • charity Nyamukondiwa
    February 16, 2013 at 10:33 am

    i 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 am

    i would try a sock puppet penguin πŸ™‚

  • Heidi Marie Marshall
    February 16, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    Kermit The Frog! Let’s get retro….for my Granddaughter. Love the Muppets! We could go the whole way and do all Muppet Puppets πŸ™‚

  • Miss Tracy Hanson
    February 16, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Would make one of our dog. So that my great-niece can have her own special “Roxy” πŸ™‚ πŸ˜€ x

  • Alex Telford
    February 16, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    I 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 pm

    Tweeted @alexaaandra_t

  • Louise
    February 17, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Id make some with my boys for their puppet theatre @astrongcoffee1

  • Ruth McLees
    February 17, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    It 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 pm

    I’d love a Simon cowbell one;)

  • Ian Dowson
    February 18, 2013 at 10:39 am

    I would make one of Superman, heroic Sock puppet to protect all other Sock Puppets!

  • Fiona Matters
    February 18, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    My dog – a nice black and white collie!

  • Crystal
    February 19, 2013 at 11:44 am

    I 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 pm

    I’d make a sock puppet of our rather large tabby cat Pompom

  • Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
    February 19, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    What a fabulous looking book. I would love to make a mad professor puppet complete with crazy hair like Einstein πŸ™‚