Well, our dear needlewomen, are we starting to prepare for the New Year?)) Time will fly by unnoticed as usual, but there is still so much to do! Preparing New Year's souvenirs with the symbols of the coming year is already a real tradition! For those who are not yet in the know, the symbol of 2016 is the Fire Monkey, so this huge article from “Cross” will be devoted to creating monkeys with your own hands using a wide variety of needlework techniques!
This time I decided to deviate a little from the usual presentation of the material, namely a detailed description of the manufacturing process of each monkey. I have prepared for you a kind of Master Class Guide
, posted online. Believe me, there are very, very many of them!!! But there are already many times fewer good, interesting and high-quality ones. Having gone through literally everything, I personally chose, in my opinion, the most worthy, the best of the best!!! I present them to your attention)
- Monkeys made of paper and on paper
- Felt monkeys
- Fabric monkeys
- Crochet monkeys
- Knitted monkeys
- Beaded monkeys
- Felting monkeys from wool
- Monkeys and decoupage
- Monkeys made of plastic
- Embroidered monkeys
In addition, here you will find links to purchase master classes, as well as ready-made handmade monkeys! This information is also very relevant on the eve of the New Year!
So, let's start with simple ones and gradually move on to more complex and interesting master classes on monkeys.
Monkeys made of paper and on paper
Drawing postcards with children
Children should definitely be involved in preparing New Year's souvenirs - let them make at least simple crafts with monkeys, for example, postcards. They will probably like the process, because during the work they will literally have to fumble around in the paint with their hands and feet)
To make a card with a monkey hanging on a vine, all you need is a sheet of paper and watercolors. Help your child paint 4 fingers and a palm with brown paint, and then let him leave his handprint on the paper! The monkey's head and tail can also be painted with paints.
Or you can cut them out of colored paper:
These simple elements can be used to create a cute monkey face)
The authors of this idea added vines with hearts to their monkey) You can replace them with fir branches and Christmas balls!
In a similar way, children's footprints can be “transformed” into monkeys sitting under a palm tree!
Grandparents will especially like such sincere gifts, because the traces of the little hands and feet of their beloved grandchildren will forever remain on them)
Garland and paper gift wrapping
An interesting idea for decorating gifts with an applique with a monkey's face is offered by Sara Mattson-Blume. Look how easy it is to do it all!
Cardboard blanks
The finished muzzle is glued to a paper bag
These same funny faces can decorate a holiday garland and create the right mood at home)
Monkeys using Origami technique
You can make a slightly angular, but still cute monkey using the Origami technique by printing these colored blanks:
The templates have been processed and brought to a single size!
Here the process of assembling this monkey is described in detail. And it will turn out like this:
Teenagers will find it much more interesting to make a more complex paper monkey. Follow the step-by-step description:
Original instructions in English
Vytynankas and monkeys)
Vytynankas are openwork pictures cut out of paper, which have recently been increasingly used to decorate windows for the New Year.
If you like the suggested patterns for the monkey pattern, then print them out and start cutting them out! Read about all the necessary materials and tools for cutting in this article by Cross.
Remember that working with a stationery knife requires compliance with safety precautions! Do not leave children unattended if you trust them with the cutting process!
Fun accessories for the perfect look
A New Year's monkey costume can be made quite spectacular. A bunch of bananas sewn from yellow fleece on a belt, a necklace made of textile orange slices or whole tangerines will add cheerful notes to the look. To create such details, fleece or felt is suitable. Both materials can be glued together with a hot gun and you don’t have to worry about sewing on small elements.
A butterfly on the boy monkey's neck will make the character an interesting gentleman. Continuing the idea, you can make a cane and a top hat for the head, as well as white cuffs for the sleeves, which will go well with the large paw gloves. These elements are best sewn from fleece.
Girls will definitely love the idea of a wig with long hair, which in combination with protruding ears will look so cute that you won’t be able to take your eyes off the baby. Such a monkey costume will definitely stand out from the crowd of children and will delight not only the child, but also those around him.
Interesting Facts
about monkey costumes: The most popular monkey costume for husbands is, of course, KING KONG. For a woman, this is the legendary monkey Chita, Tarzan’s girlfriend.
Felt monkeys
If not all, then many needlewomen love felt. It’s a pleasure to sew memorable souvenirs from it! Let's get straight to the point and see how to sew an adorable felt monkey with your own hands.
Option one
The author of this master class is NupiNupi. Unfortunately, I was never able to find the original MK; I offer my description of the process, based on step-by-step photos.
According to the pattern, cut out the required number of blue and white parts from felt.
Next, use Moment-Crystal glue to glue white felt inserts onto the ears:
And then we sew all 4 legs and the tail with a buttonhole stitch and don’t forget to put the filling inside!
We try on the position of the legs and tail relative to the body and fix it with several stitches to the back of the body.
If desired, embroider the navel on the front half of the monkey’s body in the form of a cross, and then sew both halves together with a buttonhole stitch. We stuff the body tightly with padding polyester and only after that we completely sew these parts together.
Now comes the most crucial moment - we will make the face. The overall appearance of the toy depends on how cute it turns out, so be careful!
Using a drop of glue, fix the white felt piece on the blue circle, then sew it along the contour with a buttonhole stitch.
Using a few stitches of matching thread, sew on the beaded nose and embroider the mouth with brown thread. Using regular pink blush we draw the monkey’s cheeks)
We connect the front and back parts of the head with a loop stitch, not forgetting to insert ears on the sides, and a loop on top for hanging the toy! In the neck area we leave a hole for filling, fill the head with padding polyester and sew it up. Then we sew on the beaded eyes.
All that remains is to sew the head to the body and the monkey is ready! She's really very cute, it would be nice to receive one as a New Year's gift)
Option two
Elena Babenko prepared this master class on sewing a very cute monkey with a felt flower.
Option three
If you don’t have time to sew a monkey with arms and legs, then sew only the head, it will be perfect as a keychain.
Author - Volga Koptsik
Option four
Such a monkey can be cut out of thick felt by gluing all the parts together. It will be faster, and it will look just as decent.
Author - Svetlana Voronina (Yuganochka)
Option five
Anastasia Kirilenko took the technique of decoupage on fabric as a basis and made felt medallions decorated with beads and sequins.
The medallions are perfect as decorations for the New Year tree, and Anastasia also suggests decorating gifts and champagne bottles with them.
Model No. 2
The next option turns out to be a little more complex, and the figure itself is more realistic than decorative. But this origami monkey should not be ignored.
Step-by-step instruction:
- For a 15x15 cm square, mark the diagonal.
- Fold the top edge of the figure towards it.
- We bend the same side again.
- Lower the top to the point indicated by the arrow.
- We fold the figure into a “mountain” along the vertical line marked with a dotted line.
- Raise the triangular valve and open the workpiece in the direction of the arrow.
- We outline the second vertical fold.
- Open the left side from the inside and lift the bottom point up, as in the basic “Bird” shape.
- Make a fold along the dotted line.
- Fold the right side into a triangle, aligning it along the central axis.
- We open the resulting “pocket” from the inside and flatten it into a square.
- Lower the top part.
- And with an indent we raise it up.
- We fold the top along the dotted line.
- And lower it with a turn up (see picture).
- We form the monkey's ears by making zigzag folds.
- We move the lower right corner inward.
- Fold the figure into a “mountain” along the dotted line.
- We make another fold to highlight the paw. Ready.
Model for children
The simplest origami monkey pattern is intended for children 6-9 years old. Despite the laconic design of the model, the main features of primates are preserved and are easily recognizable.
Step-by-step instruction:
- We start from the inside of the square. We outline the diagonal.
- Fold the right and left edges to it.
- We bend the bottom part.
- Fold the figure in half “valley”.
- Rotate the workpiece 90° clockwise.
- Make a fold along the dotted line. Then open the right side of the product in the direction of the arrow.
- We flatten it.
- Make a zigzag fold along the dotted line.
- We bend the sharp corner.
Another interesting model is a monkey with a baby. It develops according to the same principle as the previous one, with minor changes:
Fabric monkeys
Do you prefer another fabric to felt? Patterns of monkeys - very, very different ones - have been collected especially for you!!! Choose any one you like and sew with pleasure!
Monkeys in Tilda style
Fans of Tilda dolls will definitely want to sew the symbol of 2016 using this technique. A master class consisting of 2 parts (part 1, part 2) will help you.
But you can sew such a monkey toy with your own hands if you purchase the pattern from its author (tilda4kids).
Coffee monkeys
Coffee toys are sewn from simple white fabric (for example, calico), tinted in a special solution of coffee, cinnamon and vanilla, dried in the oven, and then painted with acrylic paints. The technology for making such toys is described in great detail in this Cross master class.
Do you already understand where I'm going with this? Of course, this means that you can make coffee monkeys in the same way, which will fill the house with a wonderful aroma, and everyone who gets it will be in a great mood!
You can buy these naughty coffee monkeys here
Author - Maniko
Monkey pillows
Another good idea is to sew a pillow in the shape of a monkey. There are many options here, as they say, choose to your taste. Here are some ideas for inspiration!
You can buy this pillow
Remembering childhood
Modeling is a very enjoyable activity that children love very much. A few tips for sculpting a dough monkey:
- To prevent the mass from winding during the process, it must be covered with cling film and taken exactly as much as is needed to create a certain element.
- The figurine will be baked, so you can sculpt it directly on foil or special paper.
- To make thin elements, you can use a regular rolling pin.
- Large parts are easy to sculpt. To create eyes or fingers, use a small penknife, and to create softer lines, use the back of a thin brush. Ideally, the work is done using a special stack.
- For example, take any picture of an animal you like, print it out and put it in front of you.
- Place the remaining dough in the refrigerator until next time. There it can be stored for several days.
The finished product is baked in the oven for an hour at a temperature of 100°C. Next, all that remains is to paint the product and varnish it.
Crochet monkeys
Those who know how and love to crochet are unlikely to miss the opportunity to knit souvenirs with the main symbol of 2016 - the monkey! Especially for you, 10 master classes with Amigurumi monkeys and 4 master classes on knitting cozy little things for the home.
Monkey potholders
A pot holder in the shape of a monkey's face will lift your spirits every time. You can find a description of knitting here.
Svetlana Zabelina offers to buy a master class on knitted potholders “Baby Monkeys”.
Hot stand
The hot stand is also in the shape of a monkey's face) Description of knitting here.
Mitten
An oven mitt can be used simply as a kitchen decoration or for its intended purpose. It fits like this.
Monkey Amigurumi
Amigurumi toys are always in great demand. Therefore, choose a master class, knit, and then give your handmade monkeys to your beloved friends and family.
Option one
Knitting description here.
Author - Margarita Yakovleva
Option two
The author's description is posted here.
Author - Victoria Samborskaya
Option three
Master class on the author's website.
Author — HelenaPoz
Option four
Knitted monkey Abu
Author of the idea: Julie
Option five
Monkey Johnny
Posted by Pepica
You can see what this monkey looks like “live” in the video from Marusya Prokopenko:
Option six
Button&Company shares a master class on knitting such funny monkeys)
Option seven
Monkeys - curtain tiebacks! Master class from the author - Tatiana Stepkina
Option eight
What do you think of the idea of a monkey sling toy? I think it’s a great idea) I found 2 photos for inspiration.
Sling beads and sling toys can easily be classified as educational
You can knit the monkey's head using one of the master classes offered above. Next, read how to crochet beads and, just for fun, what baby sling beads are in general and how to make them with your own hands. All this material will be enough to make a monkey sling toy!
Option nine
A master class on knitting a monkey in sneakers is sold here.
Author - Marina Chuchkalova
And the tenth
The famous monkey from the cartoon and a commercial master class on how to knit it.
Gorilla
The largest primate on earth and the second most intelligent after chimpanzees, it is endemic to the African continent. This species was made famous by the gorilla Koko, who lived at the San Francisco Zoo from 1971 to 2018. She learned over 2,000 words in the American language of the deaf and mute Amslen and perfectly understood English speech, constructing meaningful and sometimes philosophical phrases in response. Despite Coco's impressive abilities, zoologists did not consider her a phenomenon. They argued that any gorilla could achieve the same thing with proper training.
The largest of the great apes should also be in the collection of origami figures. The easiest way to make a baby gorilla.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Fold the original square in half from left to right. Let's reveal.
- We repeat the action in the other direction - from top to bottom.
- Draw a fold along the dotted line. Open the bottom right corner from the inside.
- Flatten the resulting folds to the left.
- We bend the side corners.
- We move the left side back, making a stand for the monkey out of it.
- Let's draw a face.
In the same way, we will make a formidable mother for the cub.
Knitted monkeys
There weren’t many monkeys knitted with knitting needles, but there are still a couple of interesting options!)
Well, you will also have a very cool “Naughty Monkey” if you purchase a master class from Olga Morgunova.
The master class “Monkey in a Pink Dress” from Tatyana Korobkova is on sale here.
You can buy the monkey Marinka from Olga and Svetlana (Butyavka-shop)
Beaded monkeys
This very small monkey is woven from beads according to the following pattern:
For a detailed description of weaving a monkey keychain, see here.
And you can weave this beauty Rose if you purchase a master class from Marina Konstantinova.
Headband with ears for girls
Sewing a headband for a girl is very simple. You will need durable stretchy fabric of a suitable color. You can take any old knitted T-shirt. A rectangle is cut out, then the sections are sewn inside. For reliability, or if the bandage is too big, you can insert an elastic band inside. If you initially plan to insert an elastic band, then the fabric may not be taut (so as not to cause discomfort to the baby), but looser.
The ears are made of the same material. You need to cut out four semicircles of a dark color (these will be the outer parts), two smaller parts and a lighter shade. You need to sew the light inner part to the outer side of the ear from the front side. Only then can the parts be placed face to face and stitched together. To carefully attach a decorative element to a headband, it is not necessary to make slits. You can sew the ears manually (with a hidden stitch) on the front side of the headband. It will look neat and is very easy to do.
Felting monkeys from wool
Felting wool is a labor-intensive process, but monkeys made using this particular needlework technique look the most realistic!
Jeiana Johanssen shares a great master class on dry felting Varenka the monkey for free.
Wayward Gosha can be ordered from Lyudmila Kolykhalova (oliKA).
And Marina Kuznetsova has the Coco-fifi yoke.
Monkeys and decoupage
Fans of Decoupage will not be left empty-handed either)
You can purchase a variety of wooden blanks in the shape of monkeys from Andrey and Yulia Savchenko! And then - give free rein to your imagination and make your own unique, inimitable souvenirs for the holiday!
There are a lot of beautiful blanks in the shop Everything for creativity (dljatvorchestva):
I couldn’t ignore the Pencil with a Gorilla)
Knit a gift
Before the stuffed monkey can be knitted, you need to choose the right yarn. Decide how you are going to knit. How will your monkey be created - knitted or crocheted? For one method or another, you need to select the appropriate threads.
Let's look at the dyeing process. Synthetic compounds are cheaper, but natural ones are safer. Eco-style is now in fashion, and there is a large selection of natural threads dyed with natural dyes on sale.
The choice of fiber also matters. Yarn comes in many types, ranging from cotton and wool to bamboo. Allergy sufferers are still better off using synthetic threads.
When purchasing a skein of yarn, be sure to save the label. This way you can easily find the right color if you don’t have enough material for the job. In addition, there are always recommendations for caring for the finished product.
Monkeys made of plastic
Anyone who loves and knows how to sculpt from polymer clay, following step-by-step photos, will make an excellent figurine of a monkey with a banana)
Irina Ivanitskaya, in her video master class, tells in detail how to make another little monkey:
And another master class from Ekaterina Zabolotskaya:
Salty dough
Children love to sculpt with plasticine. However, you can have a little fun and sculpt as an adult. Wonderful crafts come out of salt dough. They are perfectly stored and do not spoil for a long time. Their shelf life is much longer than a plasticine figurine, which will leak if you accidentally leave it in the sun or near a battery.
Every housewife has the ingredients for plastic dough in her home:
- salt;
- flour;
- water.
For 100 grams of flour we take the same amount of salt and 50-60 ml of water. You should get a plastic mass. You need to choose very fine salt. If you only have coarse ones on hand, you can grind them in a coffee grinder. To improve plastic properties, some prefer to add a little vegetable oil or glycerin. This dough will stick to your hands less and will additionally provide skin care.
How are dough monkeys made? You can divide the mass into several parts and mix with dye. Most often, the finished product is painted.
Embroidered monkeys
At the end, we will also please our favorite embroiderers: small monkey embroidery patterns are suitable for creating embroidered cards, decorating champagne aprons and other nice New Year's souvenirs (all patterns are taken from the public domain).
That’s it, I’ll wrap it up) It’s still not possible to embrace the immensity, but I really hope that I was able to help you navigate the whole variety of master classes on creating monkeys. I wish you creative inspiration and beautiful handicrafts made by your golden hands!
Author of the article: Anna Ganzhina (Anna-Maria)
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Tutu skirt for girls
For a girl, a lady monkey will be a win-win. An elastic band to fit the waist, tulle strips 10 cm wide and a length equal to twice the length of the skirt will quickly turn into a chic skirt. To do this, you just need to tie the fabric with an elastic band. You can also complement the outfit with brown jersey leg warmers and gloves. The tail should be attached to the elastic band of the skirt and brought out between the elements of the tutu skirt.
A monkey's carnival costume must be cheerful and elegant. And perhaps you can’t do without bright beads around your neck. This small detail can instantly transform an entire outfit.
It should be noted that color combination is one of the important points. Since the socks, gloves and T-shirt should be brown, it is better to choose orange, yellow, green, red or pink for the skirt. Although the option with a rainbow skirt is also good!
