Puppeteers usually control the muppet with one hand in the head and the other hand controls the muppets arms . The Muppeteer or Muppet master always holds the Muppet above his head or in front of his body , with one hand operating the head and mouth and the other manipulating the hands and arms , either with two separate control rods or by `` wearing '' the hands like gloves . One consequence of this design is that most Muppets are left-handed as the puppeteer uses his right hand to operate the head while operating the arm rod with his left hand .