As you may have noticed, I love my cats even more than I love crochet. It was with shock then, that I worked out that I hadn’t ever crocheted them a toy! I had made them a small hand knitted toy once, which they ignored, but this time around I wasn’t going to let that happen – and I decided that oodles of catnip and making them a proper crochet mouse toy would be the answer.
In many ways, double crochet creates the ideal fabric for cat toys – it’s dense enough to be sturdy and resistant to bites and scratches, but it also has enough of an open weave for the enticing smell of catnip to escape. So far, the boys are loving their new toy!
Unusually for me, I actually wrote down the pattern for the mouse – I hope it’s of use for someone!
YOU WILL NEED
For the body – DK weight yarn, any colour (I used Stylecraft Special DK in Bright Green)
For facial details – DK weight yarn in a contrasting colour (I used Stylecraft Special DK in Bottle)
A 3.5mm hook
Polyester stuffing (don’t buy the expensive stuff from a craft shop – I buy a value brand pillow from a supermarket and use the stuffing from that)
A tapestry needle
Some dried catnip
NOTE – I am UK based, so the below pattern is in UK terms. Please note that a UK double crochet stitch (dc) is a US single crochet stitch (sc) if you are reading from the USA.
Please also note – when I’m making amigurumi, I like to crochet in the back loops only – the ridges it makes allow for easier making up and a fabric with less holes in it than working through both loops. If your preference is to work through both loops when you work, this won’t be a problem, but you may want to go down a hook size.
Ears (make 2)
Sloppy slip knot, ch2
Round 1 – 6dc in 2nd ch from hook, pull the tail end of the yarn tight
Round 2 – 2dc in each st
Round 3-4 – 1dc in each st
Round 5 – (dc2tog, dc in next st) 3 times
Fasten off, leaving a tail
Body
Sloppy slip knot, ch2
Round 1 – 4dc in 2nd ch from hook (pull the tail end of the yarn tight)
Round 2 – (2dc in next st, 1dc) – twice. Place stitch marker in the last st worked.
Round 3 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts) – twice. Keep moving stitch marker up to the last stitch of each round
Round 4 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts) – twice.
Round 5 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts) – twice.
Round 6 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 5 sts) – twice
Round 7 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 6 sts) – twice
Round 8 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 7 sts) – twice
Round 9 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) – twice
Rounds 10-12 – work 3 rows plain
Round 13 – (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts) – twice
**Take a break to add your mouse’s facial details.**
Eyes – cut a 4″ strand of your contrasting yarn, tie two knots in the centre. These knots will be the eyes. Sew the loose ends into your mouse and tie together on the reverse side. Trim the threads.
Note – use the ridges on your work to make sure you stitch the eyes level.
Ears – fold in half on the bottom and stitch in place to shape ears. Once shaped, stitch these in place 2 or 3 rows behind the eyes and secure on the reverse of your work.
Nose – cut a longer strand of your contrasting yarn and use this to embroider a simple nose over the beginning round of your work.
Rows 14-22 – work 9 rows plain
Row 23 – (dc2tog, 1dc in next 2 sts) – 6 times
**Take a break to stuff your mouse**
I have stuffed this mouse quite rigidly because I know that’s what my cats like – floppy toys don’t interest them. I put a generous pinch of catnip in the nose, stuffed to just behind the ears, put in another generous pinch of catnip, and then stuffed the rest of the body.
Round 24 – (dc2tog, 1dc in next st) – 6 times
Round 25 – dc2tog 6 times
Round 26 (to close) – Pick up a loop from the 2nd, 4th and 5th sts in the round, dc3tog
Ch 20
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Weave the long tail along the finishing ch20 and hide the end in your mouse’s body.
Give to your cats and watch them go mental.
Crocheted fabric is very hardy – this isn’t a toy that most cats will destroy easily, and hopefully with the amounts of catnip you’ve added, it should keep their interest for a while. Use the tail to dangle it in front of them – mine love it!
I hope you enjoy this pattern – if you try it I would love to see how you get on!
Until next time,
Elsie Pop xx
p.s. This post is my submission for Handmade Monday this week – take a look at some of the other great posts on there – so much inspiration! 🙂
Jan @ Handcrafted by Picto says
27th April 2015 at 10:25 pmYour cats certainly look like they are having fun, I can see your house being over-run with mice in all manner of wonderful colours. 🙂
Elsie Pop says
28th April 2015 at 8:49 amHaha yes I’m already planning the next few mice – they’re a great way to use up yarn I’m not sure what else to do with… like that lurid green!
Thanks for visiting!
Elsie Pop xx
Caroline says
28th April 2015 at 5:43 amSo cute but sadly lost you on the first stitch, will have to learn then can make my cat friend loads. Thank you for the pattern
Elsie Pop says
28th April 2015 at 8:45 amHi Caroline,
I always use the sloppy slip knot to start my amigurumi because it allows me to close the gap where I put my starting round but you should be able to start this one with a standard slip knot if you find it easier – the nose will cover the starting round of the body and as the ears are unstuffed, a gap in the fabric wouldn’t be a problem.
It’s a useful technique to learn though – I’d recommend watching the video I’ve linked to if you want to give some amigurumi a go 🙂
Thanks for visiting!
Elsie Pop xx
Lucy Blossom says
28th April 2015 at 6:54 amWhat a great idea and I can see your cats love it. My cats have never been interested in catnip, but I know my kitten would just love the toy anyway.
Elsie Pop says
28th April 2015 at 8:47 amOurs love catnip for about 5 minutes usually, but they seem to like this toy a lot more than some of the shop bought ones I’ve given them… well, it keeps moving around the house while I’m out so I guess they’re keen! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by,
Elsie Pop xx
Tracy W says
28th April 2015 at 1:04 pmThat’s great, your cats certainly love it. Creative Blessings Tracy x
Elsie Pop says
28th April 2015 at 1:35 pmThanks Tracy, they are loving it! 🙂 xx
Missy Caudill says
28th April 2015 at 2:09 pmAwesome!! Am planning to make some for my furbabies!! Thanks for sharing the pattern!
Elsie Pop says
30th April 2015 at 9:15 amThanks Missy, would love to see how you get on! xx
susan says
1st May 2015 at 6:27 pmWell, you certainly made two cats very happy – great job!
Elsie Pop says
5th May 2015 at 3:10 pmWould you believe they are STILL playing with this toy constantly? Their attention spans are usually teeny, I’m delighted! 🙂 xx
Clare says
3rd May 2015 at 7:03 pmThey look VERY happy with their new toy! I think it would have the same effect on me if there was chocolate in there 🙂
Elsie Pop says
5th May 2015 at 3:11 pmHaha yes maybe I should make some human toys, complete with chocolate scents! 🙂 xx
Hannah says
5th October 2017 at 5:08 pmAwh thats so cute. With the instructions being clear and concise, it can help any beginner to feel like a professional crocheter in no time.