Mousie (with Catnip)

Size: Approximately 3 inches long, excluding tail.

Materials:

Crochet hook (size 2.5mm)

Acrylic fine/laceweight yarn (18 wpi) - color of your choice

Acrylic yarn in black/brown color (for the eyes)

Stitch marker (a scrap piece of contrasting color yarn will do)

Polyfill

Premium catnip (optional)

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Abbreviations:

Ch – chain

Sc – single crochet

Sc2tog – single crochet next two single crochets together (=decrease)

Rnd - round

Instructions:

Body

When working in rounds, do not join rounds. Place stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

Rnd 1: Ch 2. Work 4 sc in second ch from hook. (4 sc)

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around. (8 sc)

Rnd 3: (Sc in first sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times around. (12 sc)

Rnd 4: Sc even around. (12 sc)

Rnd 5: (Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 3 times around. (15 sc)

Rnd 6 and 7: Sc even around. (15 sc)

Rnd 8: (Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 3 times around. (18 sc)

Rnd 9: Work 2 sc in each of the next 6 sc (12 sc) and then sc in each of the next 12 sc (12 sc), totaling 24 sc in this rnd. This is the start of the 'hump' of the body.

Rnd 10 to 20: Sc even around. (24 sc)

Stuff polyfill and catnip.

Rnd 21: Decrease - (Sc in next sc, sc2tog) 8 times around. (16 sc)

Stuff more polyfill if necessary.

Rnd 22: (Sc2tog) 8 times around. (8 sc)

Rnd 23: Sc2tog around and pull to close hole. Do not cut off yarn yet. Continue to ch 26 for the tail. Slip stitch back into the entire chain. Now cut the yarn leaving about 6 inches for sewing. Thread this tail yarn onto a tapestry needle and weave in end, securing the tail in place.

EARS (make 2)

Row 1: Ch 2. Work 3 sc in second ch from hook. (3 sc) Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2: Sc in first sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc. (4 sc) Chain 1 and turn.

Row 3: Sc in first sc, 2 sc in each of the next 2 sc, sc in last sc. (6 sc)

Fasten off yarn and cut, leaving about 8 inches of yarn for sewing.

ASSEMBLY:

Please note: The 'hump' of the mousie body should be facing up.

Thread tail yarn of one ear onto a tapestry needle and sew it onto the top of the head, somewhere on rnd 7 or 8 of the body. Do the same for the other ear. Fasten off yarn and weave in all ends.

Thread an 8 inch length of black/brown yarn onto a tapestry need. Make a knot at one end of the yarn. Pinch the face of the mousie to estimate the positions for the eyes. Form the eyes using french knots. Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

That's all to it!