Forky is a spork with odd googly eyes, red pipe-cleaner arms, a blue smile, a red eyebrow and split craft-stick feet, which makes him one of the few animated characters you can build almost entirely from a craft drawer. He was made by a child from scraps, so a costume that looks a little homemade is the accurate version, not the lazy one. I start every Forky with plain white clothing and add the face last, once I can see where it sits on the body. Below are thirty takes on him, from a tee you can finish tonight to a full toy-box family and one for the dog.
Sewing Red Arms That Hold a Bend
Forky's arms are the part most people get wrong, usually by wrapping chenille stems around the sleeves and watching them unwind by the second house. For anything worn longer than an hour, I sew tubes instead.
- Cut two strips of red fleece, roughly a hand's width across and as long as the wearer's arm from shoulder to wrist.
- Fold each strip lengthwise with right sides together, stitch the long edge, and turn it through with a safety pin.
- Stuff lightly with polyester fibrefill. Packed tight, the tube goes stiff and sticks out like a sausage; stuffed loosely, it droops the way a well-played-with pipe cleaner does.
- For adults who want an arm that holds a pose, slide soft aluminium armature wire down the centre and fold the cut ends back on themselves so nothing can poke through. Never put wire in a child's costume.
- Hand-stitch each tube to the sleeve at the shoulder, elbow and wrist only, so the sleeve can still stretch when you bend your arm.
Getting the Prongs to Stand Up
Three tall prongs are what make Forky read from across the street, and they're also the first thing to flop. I cut them from 5mm EVA foam or doubled poster board, glue a strip of thin card down the back of each one as a spine, and fix the base to a padded headband rather than a bare plastic one. Hot glue alone lets go in cold night air, so I add a few stitches or a wrap of white tape where the prongs meet the band. Try it on and shake your head before you decorate anything. If the prongs lean, they're too tall or too heavy, and it's easier to trim them now than to prop them up later.
1. Classic Forky Costume
This is the version I'd make first, because nearly every other idea here is a variation of it. White long-sleeve shirt, straight white pants, one large fabric eye and one small one, a curved blue felt mouth and a thick red eyebrow. For the arms I sew stuffed red tubes to the sleeves rather than wrapping chenille stems, since stems unwind after an hour of hugs and grabbing hands. The three-pronged white foam headpiece is what people read from the end of the driveway, so tuck your hair under it and keep the prongs tall. Tan slip-ons with lightweight cardboard craft-stick shapes on top, a little pink blush, and a rainbow sticker or small clay-look base to carry are all it needs.
2. DIY Forky Costume
A crafty character suits a homemade build better than anything shop-bought. A plain white sweatshirt and sweatpants from your drawer or a thrift rack make the base. Cut the mismatched eyes, red eyebrow and blue mouth from felt and hold them on with removable fabric tape, so the sweatshirt goes back into normal use in November. Jumbo red chenille stems twisted into loose arms can be tacked across the front at a few points with thread; glue pulls the knit out of shape once it dries stiff. Two layers of white poster board glued around a padded headband make the fork hat. Tan socks, white sneakers with painted foam stick covers and a small clean trash bin for candy finish it, and the bin always gets a laugh.
3. Easy Forky T-Shirt Costume
An oversized white T-shirt is the most comfortable Forky there is, and the one I suggest to anyone who hates wearing costumes. Put the uneven eyes high on the chest, nearer the collarbone than feels natural, because a face placed at belly height reads as a printed tee rather than a character. Red felt eyebrow above, wavy blue mouth below, white leggings or relaxed white jeans underneath. Red gloves and loosely wrapped red fabric bands stand in for the pipe-cleaner arms. A lightweight foam visor holds the three prongs and leaves your face clear. Pink circle blush, a touch of white eyeliner, tan canvas sneakers with removable cardboard stick panels and a small rainbow pouch instead of a fussy prop.
4. Last-Minute Forky Costume
Under an hour is realistic here. Wear a white hoodie and joggers and build the face from coloured paper or removable tape: one eye noticeably bigger than the other, a red eyebrow, a cheerful blue mouth. Paper curls at the edges in damp air, so if the evening looks wet I'd use tape for everything. Bend red craft stems into two long arms and pin them across the front, closing the safety pins on the inside of the fabric. Pull up the hood and tape three white cardstock prongs along its top edge. Pink blush, tan socks, neutral sneakers with two cardboard craft sticks per shoe, and a clean silver wastebasket that doubles as a phone and candy holder.
5. No-Sew Forky Costume
No needle needed: adhesive felt, fabric tape and light craft materials do all the work. A white tunic or long sweatshirt over white leggings gives you a longer canvas for the face. Round every corner of the felt eyes, eyebrow, mouth and cheeks with scissors before you peel the backing, because square corners are where adhesive felt starts lifting, then press each piece on firmly with the heel of your hand. I hang the thick red chenille arms from a belt instead of the top so their weight doesn't drag the neckline. The fork crown is white foam sheet on a wide headband, worn over a low ponytail. Rosy cheeks, a line of blue eyeliner, tan loafers with removable foam sticks and a rainbow sticker on one shoe.
6. Adult Forky Costume
Adults usually want a Forky they can wear through a whole party, so I build this one around clothes that already fit well: a structured white sweatshirt, cropped white pants and clean tan slip-ons. Neatly cut felt eyes and features go across the chest. Red stuffed fabric tubes run from shoulder to wrist and stop short of the hands, so you can still hold a drink and shake hands. The sculpted white foam headpiece sits over short hair or a concealed bun. Pink cream blush, a thin blue line around the smile, wood-grain foam panels on the shoes, and a white tote with a small rainbow patch for keys and phone.
7. Women’s Forky Dress Costume
A knee-length white A-line dress turns the white base into something more polished. Place the large and small eyes, red eyebrow, blue mouth and pink cheek marks on the bodice, above the waist seam, so the flare of the skirt can't stretch the face out of shape. Soft red fabric tubes along the sleeves move with you better than stiff pipe cleaners. White tights keep the spork outline continuous from neck to ankle. The foam fork crown sits well over a sleek ponytail or a tucked bun. Rosy makeup, blue liner, tan ballet flats with removable felt stick panels, and a small white bucket with a rainbow charm for candy.
8. Men’s Forky Costume
For a men's version I go with a white crewneck sweatshirt and white work pants or relaxed jeans, because both survive a long party and a hot wash afterwards. Make the felt eyes oversized; on a broad chest, small features look lost. Add the curved blue mouth, a thick red eyebrow and red fabric arms stretched along the sleeves. A tall foam headpiece with rounded prongs fits over short hair or a thin cap, and if it wobbles, a strip of elastic under the back of the head steadies it. Subtle pink face paint on the cheeks is plenty. Tan lace-ups with foam craft-stick covers marked in brown wood-grain lines, plus a small clean trash can or a white drawstring bag with a rainbow patch.
9. Kids Forky Costume
Children run, sit on kerbs and pull at anything that itches, so this one is built soft. A white pajama set or sweatshirt and joggers is the base, and white is one of the easiest colours to spot at dusk, which I count as a bonus. Flexible felt for the eyes, mouth, eyebrow and cheeks means nothing hard presses against the body. Sew or tape red fabric tubes along the sleeves and keep the hands free for the candy bag. A foam fork headband is lighter than a mask and doesn't block side vision when they cross driveways. Washable pink cheek colour only, nothing near the eyes. Tan sneakers with firmly stitched felt stick panels, and a small white bucket with a rainbow sticker and a smiling face.
10. Toddler Forky Costume
Soft and flat are my two rules for toddlers. A cosy white hooded romper or sweatshirt and pants, large fabric eyes, a blue smile and a red eyebrow, every piece stitched flat so little fingers can't lift an edge. Plush red tubes sewn to the outer sleeves give Forky his arms without any wire. Instead of a separate hat, which most toddlers pull off almost immediately, I sew three short white felt prongs straight onto the hood. A dab of washable pink on the cheeks if they'll tolerate it, tan soft-soled shoes with flat felt sticks, and a light white bucket with a rainbow decal that small hands can actually carry.
11. Baby Forky Costume
A white footed onesie is the safest base for a baby. Stitch soft felt features across the tummy: two different-sized eyes, a red eyebrow, a blue smile and pink cheek circles. No beads, plastic googly eyes, wire or anything else that could come loose and end up in a mouth. Plush red strips along the sleeves suggest the bendable arms. For the fork shape, I sew three padded white points onto a soft bonnet and leave the face completely uncovered. Skip makeup entirely. Tan booties with flat brown felt panels stand in for the wooden feet, and for photos a rainbow blanket nearby does more than any prop could.
12. Plus-Size Forky Costume
A long white tunic over white stretch pants gives a comfortable, unbroken line. Scale the face pieces to the tunic rather than cutting them from a template, and pin them on while wearing it in front of a mirror; features laid out on a flat table often end up sitting too low once the fabric drapes over the body. Soft felt works for the uneven eyes, red eyebrow, blue mouth and pink cheeks. Red sleeves or long red gloves handle the pipe-cleaner arms without adding bulk at the sides. A light foam crown with three points draws the eye upward and fits over natural hair, braids or a low bun. Rosy blush, bright blue liner, supportive tan sneakers with flexible felt stick covers on the laces, and a white crossbody bag with a rainbow patch.
13. Forky Hoodie Costume
This is my pick for a cold night. A white pullover hoodie takes the eyes, red eyebrow, blue mouth and pink cheeks, fixed with fabric-safe adhesive. Thermal leggings or white joggers underneath keep the base all white and warm. Padded red fabric tubes run along the sleeves, but leave the cuffs and front pocket clear so you can still warm your hands. Stitch the three white foam prongs straight onto the hood; hot glue on its own tends to let go in cold air, and with no headband there's nothing to slip. Pink blush, a little blue face paint at the smile, tan high-tops with flat foam sticks under the laces, and a clean white wastebasket for treats.
14. Forky Pajama Costume
Close to wearing sleepwear, and for a school pajama day that's exactly the point. A white pajama set or loose lounge outfit is the base. Use felt pieces you can unpick later, or fabric paint if you're happy for the set to stay Forky for good. Red sleeves, gloves or soft wrist-to-shoulder wraps create the pipe-cleaner arms. A padded fork headband made from white felt and a little batting sits comfortably over a low ponytail. Pink blush and a curved blue lip, tan slippers with felt craft sticks across the toes, and a small pillow with a rainbow patch as the prop. Slippers are for indoors only; I'd switch to sneakers for anything outside.
15. Forky Tutu Costume
A fluffy white tutu over white leggings and a fitted white long-sleeve top gives Forky a dress-up twist. The face goes on the shirt: uneven eyes, red eyebrow, blue smile, pink cheeks. Keep the features above the tutu's waistband, or the tulle will hide the bottom of the mouth. For the arms, wrap the sleeves in soft red ribbon or attach plush red tubes. A white fork crown over a high bun, pink blush, blue liner and a light rosy lip. White socks and tan ballet flats with felt craft-stick shapes, plus a small white purse with a rainbow charm. It holds up for parties and trick-or-treating, though tulle snags on hedges, so steer clear of the shrubs.
16. Glam Forky Costume
Glam Forky swaps the craft-drawer look for a white sequined jumpsuit or a sparkly top with tailored white pants. The face still has to read, so I'd use glitter-edged fabric eyes, a red rhinestone-style eyebrow and a curved blue appliqué smile that stand clear of the sequins. Glue barely grips sequins, which is why I stitch appliqués through to the base fabric. Red metallic sleeves or long gloves make the arms. A sculpted white fork crown sits above a smooth updo, then luminous base, bright pink blush, blue winged liner and glossy pink lips. Tan platforms with light wood-look foam panels and a small structured white bag with a rainbow charm.
17. Cute Forky Costume
For a softer take, a white skater dress or oversized sweater dress goes over opaque white tights. Round the eyes slightly so they look sweet rather than startled, and add a small blue smile, a curved red eyebrow and soft pink cheek patches. Plush red sleeves or fuzzy red gloves make cuddly arms, but fuzzy gloves shed onto white fabric, so lint-roll before you leave the house. A padded white fork headband over loose curls or braids, rosy cheeks, subtle blue liner and pink lip balm. Tan Mary Janes with flexible felt craft sticks over the toes, and a mini white bucket with a rainbow and a smiling face.
18. Funny Forky Costume
Forky spends much of his first film trying to throw himself in the bin, so lean into the panic. An oversized white sweatshirt, one pant leg cuffed higher than the other and mismatched tan shoes. One enormous eye and one tiny one, an exaggerated wavy blue mouth and a crooked red eyebrow. Bend padded red arms into zigzags with your real arms free underneath. Tilt the fork headpiece over messy hair and add uneven pink blush and a surprised blue lip shape. The cardboard craft sticks on the shoes should look deliberately rough. Carry a clean trash can with a hand-drawn rainbow and no words, and practise the alarmed face in the mirror, because the pose sells the joke more than any detail.
19. Cardboard Forky Costume
Cardboard gives the boldest silhouette with no sewing at all, but it has limits. Cut a large rounded spork body from white corrugated board and add wide shoulder straps so it hangs over a white shirt and pants without digging in. Glue paper eyes, a red eyebrow, blue mouth and pink cheeks to the front. Keep the red cardboard or foam arms short enough for doorways; I always walk a cardboard costume through a door at home before it goes out. Edge every cut with white tape so it can't scratch, and check the forecast, because cardboard goes soft in rain. A white fork crown, rosy cheeks, tan sneakers with small cardboard sticks lined in brown marker, and a rainbow sticker near one foot.
20. Felt Forky Costume
Felt has no sharp edges and doesn't rustle, which is why I suggest it for classrooms and crowded rooms. A white felt poncho over a white shirt and pants is the base. Cut the uneven eyes, eyebrow, mouth and cheeks from coloured felt and stitch them on; glued felt tends to lift on a poncho that's always moving. Red stuffed felt arms attached at the sides bounce a little as you walk, which is half the charm. A double-layer white felt headpiece makes the prongs and sits over pinned-back hair. Pink blush, blue liner, tan shoes with brown felt stick covers and a soft white tote with a rainbow appliqué for treats.
21. Foam Forky Costume
Craft foam cuts crisper shapes than felt and weighs less than cardboard. Over a white bodysuit or fitted shirt and white pants, lay large foam facial pieces across the torso, layering the mismatched eyes for depth and curving the red eyebrow outward. Thin flexible foam suits the blue mouth and pink cheek circles, since thick foam won't bend with your chest when you move. Red foam-covered tubing on the sleeves makes the arms. For the headpiece I use white EVA foam: warmed gently with a heat gun, it holds a curve over a wig cap or flattened hair in a way thin craft foam never will. Rosy cheeks, a blue lip accent, tan sneakers with wood-grain foam sticks, and a small foam rainbow on a white wristlet.
22. Forky Poncho Costume
A white poncho layers easily over warm clothes and has room for oversized features. Cut the eyes, red eyebrow, blue mouth and pink cheek marks from felt and place them across the front. Underneath go a white thermal top, white pants and red sleeves for the arms, which peek out from the poncho's sides as you move. A three-pronged foam headband fits over natural hair, a low ponytail or even a white beanie. Pink blush and a small blue smile at the corners of the lips. Tan ankle boots give support under flexible stick-shaped panels, and a white bucket with a rainbow patch carries the candy. When you get indoors and warm up, it lifts off over your head in seconds.
23. Forky Mascot Costume
A full mascot Forky is a real project, and I'd only take it on for a parade or a big party. The padded white body should form a rounded spork shape while still letting you lift your arms and climb steps. Add oversized mesh-covered eyes, a padded red eyebrow, a blue smile and pink cheek marks. Flexible red fabric arms go on the outside, with your real arms inside discreet white sleeves. The fork-shaped hood needs a clear viewing window and ventilation, because padded suits get hot fast even on a cool night. Plan breaks, and bring a helper to guide you through crowds. Wide tan craft-stick shoe covers over supportive sneakers and one large, light rainbow emblem finish it.
24. Forky Trash Can Duo Costume
Forky's running joke is that he keeps trying to climb into the bin, so a clean trash can partner is the obvious duo. One person wears the full white Forky with mismatched eyes, red fabric arms, a blue mouth, fork headpiece, pink makeup and tan craft-stick shoes. The other wears grey clothes under a lightweight silver cylindrical tunic of foam or fabric, with a round grey lid hat over tucked hair and a little silver face makeup. Foam holds the round shape better; fabric packs flat and is far easier to sit down in. Grey sneakers, a rainbow pouch for Forky and a crumpled clean paper ball for the bin. Stand close together in photos so the joke lands at a glance.
25. Forky And Karen Beverly Couple Costume
Pair Forky with Karen Beverly, his handmade knife companion, and you have a couple costume few people will have seen before. Forky wears white clothes, mismatched eyes, a red eyebrow, blue mouth, red fabric arms and tan craft-stick shoes. Karen wears cream or pale beige with a rounded foam knife headpiece, simple eyes, a smiling mouth, pastel pipe-cleaner-style arms and the same wood-look footwear. Keep the blade shape soft and rounded at every edge, since anything knife-shaped draws looks in a crowd. Both of you tuck your hair under the headpieces and wear soft pink cheek colour, and small rainbow accessories or matching clay-look bases tie the two outfits together.
26. Forky And Woody Duo Costume
Woody's Western clothes give Forky a busy, colourful partner, and the contrast helps both characters read. Forky wears white separates, uneven fabric eyes, a blue mouth, red eyebrow, pink cheeks, red arms, a fork crown and tan stick-covered shoes. The cowboy wears a yellow checked shirt, cow-print vest, blue jeans, brown boots, red neckerchief and brown cowboy hat. The vest is what sells Woody, so if you only buy one piece, make it that. Neat hair under the hat and natural makeup with warm cheeks. Forky carries a rainbow-decorated white bucket, and a coil of soft cord stands in for the rope. Leave out anything rigid so you can both sit down and hug freely.
27. Forky And Buzz Lightyear Duo Costume
Buzz brings structure and bright panels to stand next to Forky's homemade look. The Forky wearer has a white sweatshirt and pants, felt features, red fabric arms, a foam fork crown, pink cheeks and tan craft-stick shoes. The space ranger wears a white jumpsuit with green and purple foam panels, a fitted purple hood, white gloves and white boots, plus a touch of silver eye makeup. I'd make the wings from soft fabric rather than board, because rigid wings hit everyone behind you in a queue. A light foam control panel on the chest replaces any hard gear, and Forky carries a rainbow pouch.
28. Forky Family Costume
A toy-box family puts Forky in the middle and spreads the other characters around him. One person wears the full white Forky costume. The others go as a Western sheriff, a cowgirl, a space ranger and a pastel shepherdess, using comfortable shirts, pants, skirts, boots, hats and foam pieces rather than masks. Hair follows each character: braids, ponytails or fitted hoods. Keep makeup soft enough for children's skin, and patch-test anything new on the inner wrist the day before. Give everyone something light to hold, such as a rainbow bucket, soft rope, foam control panel or shepherd's crook. Repeating the same bright primary colours across every costume is what ties the group together in photos.
29. Forky Group Costume
A group of Forkys lets every friend make their own while the theme stays obvious. Each person picks a white base, from a jumpsuit to pajamas or a poncho, then adds mismatched eyes, a red eyebrow, blue mouth, pink cheeks, red arms, a white fork headpiece and tan craft-stick shoes. Change the eye placement, mouth shape and headpiece angle on purpose; a child made each of these by hand, and no two would match. I'd agree on one red and one blue felt between you before anyone shops, because three different reds side by side look like a mistake rather than a choice. Carry clean recycling bins, rainbow pouches or white buckets.
30. Forky Pet And Owner Costume
For a pet, the owner wears Forky and the animal gets a light coordinating look. The owner's version is the usual: white clothes, fabric eyes, a blue smile, red eyebrow, padded red arms, a fork headband, pink blush and tan craft-stick shoes. The pet wears a comfortable white harness or vest with flat felt facial pieces and soft red side strips, and a small padded fork shape sits on the harness, never on the animal's head. No pet makeup and nothing for them to carry. Let your pet wear the harness around the house for a few short spells first, keep checking on them, and take it off the moment they seem stressed. The owner gets a rainbow treat pouch and good walking shoes.
White Shows Every Smudge by Nine O'Clock
Every Forky starts as head-to-toe white, and white shows everything: kerb dust on the knees, pizza at the cuffs, blush on the collar. A few habits keep him clean enough for the photos at the end of the night.
- Put cheek colour on before you dress, set it with a dusting of translucent powder, and pull the top on with a scarf held over your face. Cream blush transfers onto a white neckline as soon as you get warm.
- Make the felt features removable with fabric tape or a few loose stitches, so the white base can go in a hot wash on its own. Some cheap craft felt bleeds dye when it gets soaked.
- If rain is likely, swap paper and cardboard pieces for foam or felt. Paper curls and cardboard goes soft within minutes of a shower.
- Cotton and fleece forgive a wipe with a damp cloth. Slippery polyester satin shows water marks, so I avoid it for the base layer.
When the night is over, peel off the face, wash the whites and store the arms, prongs and feet flat in a labelled bag. Next year those same pieces go back onto a fresh white shirt in about ten minutes.
Forky Only Needs White Clothes and a Face
The Forky to make is the one you can wear all evening. White clothes are the base; mismatched eyes, a red eyebrow, blue smile, pink cheeks, red arms, fork prongs and wooden-looking feet do the rest. Felt, foam, cardboard, fabric tape and thrifted clothes keep the cost low, and the same pieces scale from a baby to a whole family. Keep the headpiece light, stitch anything that will be tugged, and wear shoes you can walk in. If you only have tonight, make the T-shirt version. If you have a weekend, sew the arms properly and he'll last until next October.
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