Say "Hello" to Paddy!

Cassie's been feeling a little low since all the monkeys went to their new homes. This being an only child isn't what it's cracked up to be.

Fortunately, when she got up this morning, this little fellow was waiting for her.

"Hey, sleepyhead! What took you so long!"

He says his name is Paddy. What's he wearing? Why, a backpack, of course. How else would he carry all his belongings?

If you've made a monkey from Anita Wilschut's pattern and he needs a backpack, here's how we did ours.

You can use our template, if you'd like. Cut one from felt or felted wool or maybe even polar fleece (anything that won't fray) and cut 2 straps that measure 1/2 inch x 7 1/2 inches.  We used an ordinary paper punch to punch the holes that you see on the template.

We cut some wool about 36 inches long, took the 2 cut ends in our left hand and twisted it with our thumb in the mid-point. Twist, twist, twist until there's a fair amount of twisting going on. Take both ends of this twisted piece and put them together to make a nice cord. Knot both ends and feed it through the holes just like in the photo.

Position the straps as shown and fold on the line on the template (It's about 4 inches from the bottom.) with the right sides together. Stitch along both sides with a very narrow seam allowance. 

Next, square off the corners of the bottom of the backpack just like you would for a purse. Stitch about an inch from the corner.

Turn the backpack right side out and feed the cord through the paper punch hole in the top. The tension of the fabric will keep it closed. No buttons to worry about with little kids ... or monkeys.

And that's it! A backpack for a little scamp of a monkey to keep his stuff in. Oh, and did you notice what he was sitting on? That's our WhirlyGiggle quilt!!! We bet he's the one who has hidden our safety pins.

~ Just monkeyin' around,