| Materials: small amount worsted
weight wool, needles a couple of sizes smaller than you usually use
for worsted wool, a cable needle, a tapestry needle, catnip for
stuffing. Cast on 30 stitches.
Row 1: (k1, p1) 5 times, p2, k6, p2, (p1, k1) 5
times.
Row 2: (k1,
p1) 5 times, k2, p6, k2, (p1, k1) 5 times.
Row 3: (k1,
p1) 5 times, p2, (Slip the next three stitches
onto cable needle and hold behind work. Knit the next three stitches
from the left-hand needle, then knit the three stitches from the
cable needle), p2, (p1, k1) 5
times.
Row 4: as Row 2
Row 5: p2 tog (k1, p1) 4 times,
p2, k6, p2, (p1, k1) 5 times.
Row 6:
p2 tog (k1, p1) 4 times, k2, p6, k2, (p1, k1)
4 times, p1.
Continue in this manner, repeating the 6 rows for
the cable pattern, and at the same time decreasing one stitch at
the beginning of each row (as is shown for rows 5 and 6), and doing the cable twist on the third
row of the pattern until you have the last 10 stitches remaining,
ready to work a right side row.
Next row: p2 tog, k6, p2.
Next row: k2 tog, p6, k1.
On the following row, bind off all stitches and
decrease two stitches over the cable as you bind off (k2 tog twice
over the cable as you are binding off). Leave a long tail of yarn
for sewing up.
Fold the mouse in half lengthwise with the right
side inside and sew the long seam along the bottom, leaving the back
(the cast on edge) open.
Turn right-side out and stuff firmly with catnip
(your cat will probably enjoy helping you with this). From the right
side, neatly sew the back cast-on edge together to close up the
mouse.
You can attach a couple more strands of yarn and
braid them to make a tail, or you could make an i-cord tail if
you're feeling intrepid! |
