Continuous Catnip Mouse

Hook and Yarn:

Use any yarn and hook combination that gives you tight amigurumi tension. Check the recommended hook size provided on the yarn label and choose a hook size that is at least 1-2 sizes smaller.

(In the example, I have used a 4mm hook and medium/worsted weight/category 4 yarn, Lily Sugar’n Cream in Warm Brown)

Other materials:

Small amount of polyester fiber fill or other material

Catnip if desired

Yarn needle

At least 3 Stitch markers

Cat

Pattern is worked continuously from tail to nose without any parts to sew on.   Mark the first stitch of every round. For single crochets that look like X’s, insert hook into loop and instead of yarning over, hook over yarn and pull though.  See example of gray mouse at the very end.

Mouse Tail: Leave a yarn tail of about 6 inches and chain 15 (more or less chains for longer or shorter tail) Slip stitch back in the back bump of each chain (15 or more or less as desired)

15 chains and long tail

Slip stitch in the back bumps of each chain

Slip stitches complete

R1: Use the yarn tail to create a magic loop, and into the loop work 6 single crochets using working yarn.  Mark the first single crochet with stitch marker.  Pull yarn tail tight, do not join.

Create magic loop with yarn tail

Make 6 sc in loop, marking the first stitch

6 sc created in the loop, ready for round two

R2: Pull mouse tail down in front of 6sc ring.  Remove stitch marker and sc2 in that stitch.  Replace marker into the first stitch of current round (and all following rounds to keep your place).  Continue placing 2 sc in each sc around (12)

First 2 stitches made and marked

Round 2 complete

R3: Sc in first stitch, 2sc in second stitch, repeat around (18)

Round 3 complete

R4-9: Sc in each stitch around (18) Do more rows for a long mouse. Do less rows for a short mouse.

Rounds 4-9 complete

R10: Decrease round.  [Sc 4, decrease] around. (15)  For a less noticeable decrease, pull up loops in the front loops only of the 2 stitches in which you are working your decrease.

Add some stuffing.  If using catnip, layer small amounts of stuffing and sprinkle loose catnip between layers.

R11: Ears round.  Look at the placement of the mouse’s tail and choose where you want your ears.  Place 2 stitch markers 3 stitches apart (in the back loop of the stitch only) to mark where the ears will go. Sc around until you reach your first marker.  Work 6 double crochets into the front loop only of the first marked ear stitch.  Sc in the next 3 stitches. Work 6 double crochets into the front loop only of the second marked ear stitch. Sc around back to the last stitch.  Mark as many additional stitches in this round as you think you will need to help you in the next round.

Round 11 complete, ears created and back loops marked for next round

R12: Sc around (15) The stitches you should use for the 15 stitches will be the beginning single crochets working up to the ear stitch, the back loop of both ear stitches, the 3 single crochets between ear stitches, and the remaining stitches at the end of the round.  To work around the ears, pull them down and push them together while working around them.

R13: Decrease round.  [Sc 3, decrease] around. (12) Stuff as you go to make sure the hole doesn’t become too small.

R14: Decrease round. [Sc 2, decrease] (9)

R15: Decrease round. [Sc, decrease] (6)

R16: Decrease round. [Sc, decrease] (4)

Cut about 8” tail, thread yarn needle.  Whip stitch around each 4 stitches, pull gently to close.  Tie knot and bury tail.

Mouse complete

Two styles of single crochet, yarn over and hook over to create X stitches in gray mouse