A “caonima” is a Chinese internet meme used to protest against online censorship. Caonimas, or grass mud horses, are supposed to be a type of alpaca. In Chinese, the words are very similar to the phrase “Fuck your mother.”

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has created a cuddlier version of this message of defiance for a new book of design projects by artists. His sweet sock puppet with wide eyes and no mouth is a symbol of the struggle for freedom of expression in China.

Here are Ai Weiwei’s instructions so you can sew your own.



What you need

Sock puppet components. Photograph: Phaidon

(Old) sock. Scissors. Marker. Sewing needle. Buttons (for the eyes). Dried beans. Wadding or cotton wool. Thread.

Instructions

Step 1. Photograph: Ai Weiwei

1. Choose socks and turn them inside out.

Step 2. Photograph: Ai Weiwei

2. Use a marker to mark out the first area to stitch as shown.

Step 3. Photograph: Ai Weiwei

3. Stitch together at marks, so that the sock forms a right angle. Mark the second area of the sole and sew the marks together.

Step 4. Photograph: Ai Weiwei

4. Mark the third area to stitch and sew closed.

Step 5. Photograph: Ai Weiwei

5. Turn the sock right side out. First stuff it with wadding, and then weigh it down with beans.

Step 6 Photograph: Ai Weiwei

6. Finish off with a layer of wadding, to prevent the beans from slipping, and sew the top closed.

Step 7. Photograph: Ai Weiwei

7. Sew the tail in two steps, from point 1 to point 2.

Step 8. Photograph: Ai Weiwei

8. Mark eyes and attach buttons. Pull out two little ears over the eyes, and tie them with threads.

Do It Yourself: 50 Projects by designers and artists, is published by Phaidon