Tuesday 8 December 2015

Little Christmas Mouse - free pattern


My next free pattern for Christmas is a slight variation on my Little Kissing Mice pattern, so you can make a cute little mouse with a Christmassy red and green stripy sweater. You can add a loop so you can hang it on your Christmas tree, give it as a sweet little stocking filler, or fill it with catnip as a present for your cat.
 

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
st = stitch or stitches
ss = slipstitch
sc = single crochet (US), double crochet (UK)
dc = double crochet (US), treble crochet (UK)
tog = together
sc2tog = decrease by working two sc together
FLO = work in front loop only
FO = fasten off

Approximate size: 5cm/2" long without tail.

General instructions:
Work in rounds unless otherwise stated and do not join rounds unless told to. Use a stitch marker to mark the start of a round - a small piece of different coloured yarn placed under the stitch at the start of the round will do. To start a round, you can use the magic ring method, but I prefer to ch 2, and work the appropriate number of sc into 1st ch. If you work the sc over the tail of yarn as well you can use that to pull the hole tight.

When changing from one colour of yarn to another work the stitch before the change until there are two loops left on the hook. Then use the new colour for the final yarn over hook and pull through.

Work through both loops of stitches unless otherwise indicated.

You will need:
Small amounts of double knitting or worsted weight yarn:
A natural fur colour for the head and tail.
Two colours of yarn, such as red and green, for the body.
Small amount of black yarn to embroider eyes.
Small length of cotton yarn.
Small amount of stuffing.
3.5mm (E) hook.
Tapestry needle.


Pattern:
 
Start with natural fur colour yarn.
Round 1: Ch 2, work 4 sc into 1st ch - 4 st.
Round 2: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 2 times - 6 st.

Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st] 2 times - 8 st.
Round 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] 2 times - 10 st.
Round 5: Sc in each st around – 10 st.
Round 6: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st] 2 times - 12 st.
Round 7: Sc in next 6 st, [ear, in FLO of next st: ss, ch 2, 5 dc, ch 2, ss], sc in next 3 st, [ear as before], sc in next st – 12 st (counting each ear as one st).
Round 8: Sc in each st around, working into the back loop behind each ear – 12 st.
Stuff head and use black yarn to sew eyes.
Change to first yarn colour for body.
Round 9: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 6 st – 15 st.
Round 10: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st] 3 times – 18 st.
Change to second yarn colour for body.
Round 11: Sc in each st around – 18 st.
Change to first yarn colour for body.
Round 12: [Sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] 3 times – 21 st.
Change to second yarn colour for body.
Round 13: Sc in each st around – 21 st.
Change to first yarn colour for body.
Round 14 - 15: (2 rounds) Sc in each st around – 21 st.
Change to natural fur colour yarn.
Round 16: [Sc2tog, sc in next 5 st] 2 times, sc2tog, sc in next 2 st, [tail: ss in next st, ch 20, miss ch next to hook, ss 19, ss back into original st], sc in next 2 st – 18 st.
Round 17: Sc2tog 2 times, sc in next 6 st, sc2tog 4 times – 12 st.
Round 18: Sc2tog 6 times – 6 st.
FO, leaving a length of yarn. Using cotton yarn, sew a loop behind the head if you want to hang your mouse as a decoration. Finish stuffing and sew up bottom of mouse neatly - if you stuff the body well it will sit up nicely.

Another simple idea for a little tree decoration is to make one of my Little Teddies using white yarn and give it a red scarf.



For more Christmas crochet ideas, I also have a Chubby Gnome pattern in my Etsy shop which includes instructions to make these Christmas characters - a cute little Santa and Elf.


If you especially love mice and would like to make some slightly larger ones, try my Wee Mousie pattern.


Keep an eye out here and on my Facebook page as I'll be posting four totally new mini Christmas patterns.

41 comments:

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

That is absolutely adorable! I may have to whip up a few for my parent's Christmas tree. :)

Sweetpea family said...

Dear Lucy I love your mouse pattern I've just made one. Would you mind if I shared it with my crochet club it would be a lovely little project for us all to make together. Sue

LucyRavenscar said...

Of course, go ahead, feel free to share any of my free patterns. I'm so pleased you like it!

Pat Fulton said...

Thank you Lucy, I cant wait to try it. :)

Anonymous said...

Hello, I love all your patterns and was wondering if finished products can be sold?

LucyRavenscar said...

Generally I'm fine with people selling products made from my patterns, particularly these little free ones. If I can just be credited (Lucy Collin or Lucyravenscar) as the designer and maybe have a link to the pattern, that would be great.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much that's very kind. I certainly will credit you as the designer.

Tamara said...

I love these little guys and am making one for each of my children for Christmas. For my daughters I added a little skirt. I did this by [2 sc then 1 sc for one round] in the front loops only of the last round of colored thread before switching back to fur color. When I switched back to the fur color I just continued with your pattern starting in the back loops of the row before. It turned out really cute! I wish I could attach a picture.

Thanks for sharing!

LucyRavenscar said...

That's a great idea Tamara, thanks for sharing! Are you on Ravelry? You could share the photo there.

Jill Alzina said...

Just shared to fb with your blog name. Been looking for a replacement pattern I lost for a cat toy. Thank you soooo much!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello, I really want to make one of these for my son, who just loves mice! Please could you just explain what you mean when you say don't join rounds? Whenever I've worked in rounds before, at the end of a round, I'd do a slip stitch to complete the round and then chain one and begin the next round. Do I not do this here? Sorry if it's a daft question - I'm new to this! Thank you :)

LucyRavenscar said...

It's not a daft question at all. When making amigurumi (the Japanese name for crocheted toys) the normal way to work is to keep crocheting round and round in spirals, and not to join the rounds. That keeps everything looking smoother, although it can be a bit of a pain with stripes. You just have to make sure you know where the start of each round is, so mark the start of each round as you work it.

Susan aka crazylady said...

Is there a way to print these directions off?

Ali said...

Hi Lucy
Is it possible to crochet in rounds except for the stripy Christmas jumper part and then join them with a slip stitch so they don't have a break? Or would that make the mouse lopsided...?... thanks 🙂

Anonymous said...

This is probably the worst written pattern I've ever come across.
I have been crocheting for 65 yrs.
I could give u a few pointers on how to write
an understandable pattern.

Unknown said...

Thankyou so much for this pattern Lucy 2021

Trentt said...

I'm another veteran of 50+ years and I had no problems at all comprehending and following your FREE pattern. It's fine as is and I thank you for sharing it!

Unknown said...

I’m just a veteran, but am new to crochet. This is the first pattern I have ever followed and it worked for me, I have a mouse and I am right chuffed. Just wanted to say a big thank you for making this pattern available free and to let you know that it’s much appreciated:-)

Anonymous said...

I’m making some of these for secret Santas this year, I’ve given one already and they loved it! Cute mouse and pattern is clear to follow. Thank you for making it!

Unknown said...

Lucy thank you for such a fun pattern. I didn't crochet the shirt on him instead I left him all mouse color and added legs for him.

Unknown said...

When I made his legs I SC 6, skip first stitch SS 5, FO leaving a long tail for sewing for the front legs for the back legs the only difference is SC 8 and continue as for the front legs thanks again Christi

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your pattern! I made three mice and my cat, Mia, adored the one I gave her on Christmas Day. My better half took the other two to his workplace and they received much admiration. Overwhelming voted the cutest, sweetest mice. You are very talented.

Sincerely,
Virginia
Ontario, Canada

Anonymous said...

I, too, have been crocheting for over 60 years, and have written many of my own patterns, and I found this pattern extremely well written and very easy to follow. I much appreciate you talented designers making your adorable patterns, like these tiny mice, available to us for FREE!! Thank you! I’m making a bunch of these!!

LucyRavenscar said...

Thank you!

Lauren Jacobs said...

Hey! I adore this pattern. I made one for my Nan and one for my mum and they are so happy with them. I was wondering whether you mind if I can use this pattern to make so much to sell? Obviously will give full credit to you as the pattern designer.

LucyRavenscar said...

Yes, that's fine, thanks for asking.

Anonymous said...

That was rude. You could’ve been a bit nicer…it’s called constructive criticism. However, I’m fairly new to crochet and haven’t had any trouble following this pattern. Maybe it’s you and not the pattern 😊

LucyRavenscar said...

Thanks! Maybe the original poster just didn't understand the format I used for the pattern. Generally I've found people can follow it quite easily, but I'm happy to help if anything doesn't make sense.

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderfully easy and quick pattern. I have been making the mouse ornaments to give to family and friends. Thank you so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I really love this little mouse pattern, I didn’t think I would ever be able to make anything like this , and now I have ! Thank you x

LucyRavenscar said...

Thank you! I'm so pleased you're both enjoying the pattern!

Kathy said...

Adorable little mouse and easy pattern to follow. I just finished my first one and I'm going to make another. I did not decorate as Christmasy. I use bright pink and navy blue for his little sweater. I'm using this as donations in care packages.

LucyRavenscar said...

That's a lovely idea!

Anonymous said...

Just made two of these. So cute and easy. Thank you so much for creating this and sharing!

LucyRavenscar said...

Thank you!

Molly55 said...

I've made 15 of these in the past day and a half. The pattern is so simple a novice could do it with no problem. Hate to say it, but I think it's you. BTW, I've been crocheting 64yrs!

LucyRavenscar said...

15? You're a mouse-making machine! So glad you're having fun with the pattern.

Anonymous said...

Hi. I am contacting you to let you know that some guy under the name of “Patrick Hicks” on Amazon .ca has put your mouse in a book and is selling it. If you search on Amazon under his name and can’t find it then search for Crochet Christmas and it should pop up. I can’t report it as copyright infringement since it is not my personal pattern but you can. So sorry to inform you of this but I did want to find you to let you know…

LucyRavenscar said...

Thanks for letting me know, I'll look into it.

Anonymous said...

I’ve seen many worse. This was easy to understand.

Anonymous said...

I found it easy to understand also no problems and it looks great. Thanks for sharing your work. X