[Illustration: Fig. 1 · Fig. 2]
SLIT HERE
SEW CIRCLE HERE
Use a white sock for our hero. Cut a 1½″ slit in the toe and turn the
sock inside out. Cut a 3½″ circle of pink or red felt, fold and
overstitch around mouth slit (Figure 1). Turn sock right side out and
add a thin lip line. For the fan-shaped tail, cut strip of burlap or
felt and sew to sock cuff, pleating slightly. Be careful not to sew cuff
together. Hide the rough cut edges with a band of felt. (Figure 2). Add
fins and bright colored gills. Button eyes and a few accents of paint
will provide realism. Add a cowboy hat (see page 31) and tie or stitch
to head (Figure 3). To animate Phineas, slip two fingers above the mouth
and two fingers under the mouth. Open and close scissors-fashion.
Remember to sew a tuck in the heels to make straight tubular socks.
Puppets are made for either hand and stage directions can be reversed.
Dye white socks if colored socks are not available.