Sock Puppet DRAGON

Make sure the sock is clean and the color you want. Green for dragons? Thrust your hand inside the sock, as shown, keeping the fingers together to form the upper part of the mouth, the thumb lowered to form the lower jaw. Poke the toe of the sock back into your hand to form the mouth. Sew across the fold at each corner of the mouth to hold it in place. The mouth can now be lined with red cloth or felt. A tongue, forked, flat or flappy can be added. Because your thumb is not in the center of your hand, you might want to add wadded cloth or felt stiffening beside it to keep it in balance. You will find that with a little practice you can make the flexible mouth grin comically, smirk and turn down grumpily. Eyes are buttons on discs of paper or felt. The dragon’s crest is cut from felt and sewed along his spine, which is the back of your hand and wrist.

THE PERKY PUP Sock Puppet

Use a brown or black or speckled sock and add the pup’s floppy felt ears. For droopy eyes, first sew on bright black buttons, then cup a half circle of felt over them and sew it down. For a nose add a little bulb of black cloth or a big button.

OLD JOE CROW Sock Puppet

This bird has a bill of cardboard in two parts. The sock is first prepared as before, with the folds at the corners wrapped, then the upper and lower bills are glued in place. Use quick-drying household cement and glue the bill on with your hand inside the sock, holding it firmly in place until dry. For eyes, use buttons, sequins or the eyes used on stuffed toys.