Have a Mice Christmas ! Have a Mice Christmas ! Have a Mice Christmas ! Have a Mice Christmas !

This little mouse measures 4 sitting and the Christmas

pudding measures 2 It is an ideal size for a
Christmas tree trim/decoration, a stocking filler, table
decoration or cracker filler.

MATERIALS :

You could actually make him in any yarn from 4ply to
DK. He works out best defined in 4ply,sock yarn,
mohair or the angora with which I have made him to
be just irresistable to the touch.

2.75 mm needles
2.75 D.P.s (for I-cords)

Tapestry needle
Sharp scissors
Stitch holder
Clear nail varnish (for whiskers)

Each mouse takes 4 5gms of 4ply/mohair/angora
The tiny ornaments and clothes take literally scraps of
yarn.
Small amount of safe, washable filling.

Abbreviations:

CO Cast on
K Knit
P Pearl
Kfb knit into front & back of next stitch
Pfb pearl into front & back of next stitch
K2tg. Knit two stitches together to make 1
P2tg. Pearl two stitches together to make 1
St or sts stitch or stitches
St-st stocking stitch (1 row K, 1 row p)
Garter stitch every row knit
*..** repeat stitches/rows between asterisks
Yo - make a stitch by bringing yarn around right needle from
back to front.
BO Bind off/cast off
Sl slip 1 sitch
Psso pass slip stitch over
Garter every row knit
Skpo slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over
Sk2po slip 1-knit 2 together-pass slipped stitch over
SPPO Slip 1, purls 1, pass slip st over
B & T break yarn, thread thru stitches and draw up tightly
Inc 1 inc by knitting into front and back of stitch.
M1 make 1 by picking up and knitting the horizontal yarn
between the stitch you just knitted and the next stitch.
K2tgtbl Knit 2 together through back of loops.

C4B : Slip next 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold to the
back of your work. Knit the next 2 sts on your left needle. Now
knit the 2 sts on your cable needle. (crosses to right)

C4F : Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold to front of
your work. Knit next 2 sts on your left needle then knit the 2 sts
on your cable needle. (Crosses to the left).


To make an I-cord: You need double pointed
needles (no knob on the end)
Knit the first row, dont turn needles, instead slide the
sts to the other end of the needle and with the same
side facing you, knit the next row. Continue in this
way knitting with right side facing you, sliding the sts
along on every row. Bring your yarn firmly across the
back of the work. This way you will produce a sort of
tube. As you work give a little tug on your work to
keep a good smooth shape. Make your cord as long
as you want it for your design and then B & T.

To make a twisted Cord :

Cut a length of yarn twice as long as desired finished
length, fold in half. Holding the cut ends together,
insert your finger into the loop end and keep twisting
until your yarn is very tightly twisted. Bring the two
ends together and let them self-twist into a cord.
Secure by tying the end.

Alternatively, cut a length of yarn twice as long as
desired finished length, make a slip knot in one end
and slide onto a door handle, hold the other end of
the length and twist around clockwise until it is very
tightly twisted and then bring this end up to the door
handle end and allow the cord to self twist. It may
help if, as it self twists, you run your thumb and
forefinger down the twisting length to smooth it out
and see if you have achieved an adequate twist.

When you attach your twisted cords and are happy
with the length you can knot the ends again and cut
to right length




BASIC MOUSE BODY : Make 1
M = Main colour
C = Contrast colour (you wont need it on a bobbin,
we are only going to knit 24 sts in contrast)

Using 2.75mm needles and 4ply/angora/mohair in
main mouse colour
Cast on 7 sts (leaving a 6 tail)

1/2. Beg K, st-st 2 rows
3. Inc in every st. (14)
4. Purl
5. *Inc 1, K1* rpt to end (21)
6. Purl
7. *K1, Inc 1,* rpt to last st, K1 (31)
8 14 st-st 7 rows
15. *K1, K2tg* rpt to end (21)
16. Purl
17. K10 (M), K1 (C), K10 (M).
18. P10 (M), P1 (C), P10 (M)

19. K9 (M), K3(C), K9 (M)
20. P9 (M), P3(C), P9 (M)
21. K8(M), K5(C), K8(M)
22. P8(M), P5(C), P8(M)

23. K9(M), K3(C), K9(M)
24. P9(M), P3(C), P9 (M)

25/26 st-st 2 rows

27. *K1, K2tg* rpt to end
28. Purl

29. (K1, K2tg, K2, K2tg) x 2
B & T.

Use your 6 cast on tail to gather your cast on edge
and start seaming the body.


MOUSE HEAD : Make 1 piece (starts at back of head,
ends at nose)

Using 2.75 mm needles and 4ply in Main mouse
colour
Cast on 7 sts

1. Purl
2. K1, (M1, K1) to end (13)
3. Purl
4. K1, (M1, K1) to end (25)

5/13 st-st 9 rows
14. K8, K2tg, K5, skpo, K8 (23)
15. Purl
16. K2tg x 5, K3, (skpo) x 5 (13)
17/19 st-st 3 rows
20. (K2tg) to last st, K1 B & T.


FEET/LEGS : Make 2 alike

Using 2.75mm needles and 4 ply in main mouse
colour
Cast on 7 sts. (leaving a 6 tail)

1. Purl
2. *K1, Inc 1* to last st (10)
3/5 st-st 3 rows
6. K2tg x 5

Now use D.Ps to make an I-cord on those sts until
work measures 8cm from beginning of foot. B /T

The leg doesnt need stuffing. Take your 6 cast on
tail, thread in a tapestry needle and gather & draw
up the bottom of the foot, sew a couple of stitches
up the back of the foot and then put a tiny (Q-tip
sized) blob of stuffing into the foot to round it out
finish closing the foot and then run your thread up
the back of the leg to bury the end.

I really like the dangly leg effect and it makes posing
it much more fun for the child but if you want more
substantial legs :
On row 6. instead of K2tg x 5 work : *K1, K2tg,* x 3, K1
(7 sts) and make your I-cord on these 7 so you can
then stuff it and make it more substantial.


ARMS : Make 2 alike
Using 2.75mm and 4 ply
Cast on 6 sts
1. Purl
2. *K1, Inc 1, to end (9)
3/5 st-st 3 rows
6. K1, (K2tg) x 4
Now use D.P.s to make an I-cord 8 cm long.

B & T

Put a tiny blob of stuffing in the hand to round it and
close as you did for the legs. If you want more
substantial, stuffed arms : On row 6 work: *K2, K2tg*
K1, K2tg, K2 (7sts) and just work a slightly thicker I-
cord which you can stuff.


SMALL EARS (for the thin 4ply sock yarn)

Make 2 alike

You dont have to use a contrast colour for the inner
ear it is your choice. If you are using a contrast it is
referred to as (C).

1. Purl
2. Inc in every st to end (12)
3/5 beginning P, st-st 3 rows
6. (K1, Inc 1, K2) to end (15)
7. Knit
Now using inner ear colour (C) :
8. (K1, K2tg, K2) to end (12)
9/11. Beg, P, st-st 3 rows
12.K2tg to end
B/T.

Join row ends. Tuck inner ear inside outer ear.


BIG EARS : Make 2 alike

2.75 mm needles 4 ply/angora/mohair

Cast on 8 sts in outer ear colour

1. Purl
2. Inc in every st to end (16)
3/7 Beg. P, st-st 5 rows
8. (K1, Inc 1, K2) to end
9. Knit

Now using inner ear colour :
10. (K1, K2tg, K2) to end
11/15 Beg. P, st-st 5 rows
16. K2tg to end B/T

Join rows ends. Tuck inner ear inside outer ear and
attach to head.


Tail: Make a twisted cord to attach firmly for a tai l.


WHISKERS : Cut two x 20cm lengths of yarn in your whisker
colour. Tie a knot in each approx 9cm down and
unravel/untwist the strands on the shorter ends. Lay them
carefully on a plate, fan out the strands and liberally paint
those strands with clear nail varnish. Leave to dry and stiffen.
Once they have dried, thread the longer end into a needle,
insert into muzzle where you want the whiskers to emerge
from and stitch down to head base, leave dangling for the
time being. Repeat for other whisker. Once you are happy
with the position and angle, you can tie these two ends
together to anchor the whiskers. You can trim your stiffened
ends to desired length once placed.


Christmas Pudding : Make 1 Piece



Using 2.75 mm needles and 4ply in pudding colour
Cast on 6 sts leaving a 6 tail

1. Purl
2. Inc in every stitch (12)
3. (P1, Inc 1,) rpt to end (18)
4. (K2, Inc 1) rpt to end (24)
5. (P3, Inc 1) rpt to end (30)
6-9 st-st 4 rows
10 12 Work from chart :


Now continue in Contrast only

13. Purl
14. (K3, K2tg) to end (24)
15. (P2, P2tg) to end (18)
16. (K1, K2tg) to end (12)
17. (P2tg) to end (6)

B/T.

Use cast on tail to run a gathering thread and close
up the bottom. Stuff to get desired shape and close
side seam.


HOLLY LEAF :

Using 2.75 mm needles and 4 ply yarn
Cast on 12 sts.

1. P5, Inc purlwise in next 2 sts, P5 (14)
2. Knit
3. K1, (yfd, K2tg) x 6, K1
4-5 Beg K, st-st 2 rows
6. K5, (K2tg) x 2, K5
Cast off.

Fold in halves lengthwise, defining the picot edge.
Sew together. Fold in halves and join row ends,
pinching end together a little to give your leaf shape.


HOLLY BERRIES : In sets of 3

2.75 mm needle & 4 ply

Cast on 3 sts

1-2 st-st 2 rows
3 Inc 1, K2, Inc 1 (5)
4-5 st-st 2 rows
6. P2tg, P1, P2tg

Cast off. Gather outside edge and draw into a ball.
You will find it helpful if you leave a 5 tail so that
when you have 3 to attach you have something to
get hold of to manipulate them. These ends can be
used to sew on/bury inside later.
I have made a tiny twisted cord to tie in a bow round
his neck.

If you would like to see some more mice in this
collection please go to my Ravelry Downloads page.

I very much hope that you have enjoyed this pattern and
that you are happy with your results. If you come across any
errors or if there is something in the pattern which you feel
could be clearer or easier please do let me know, and of
course in case of difficulty please email me: Abigail, at
4organicsolutions@sky.com