mice challenge

We love a good fundraiser and knitting a 7000 mice mileis a bizarre enough goal to capture our imagination. This mighty lot of mice will be sold after they've reached their target in October 2013 to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society, but you can also get yourself sponsored to raise even more for them. We're going to pitch in.. watch this space.. and if you want to get involved you can join the Facebook group here for more information. Here's the super-easy pattern they've supplied for making up a mouse!

Mouse Knitting Pattern

You will need:

  • Double knitting wool
  • 4mm/size 8 needles
  • 3.25mm/size 10 needles
  • Stuffing

Start Knitting

Body: Using larger needles cast on 6 stitches Row 1- knit Row 2- purl Row 3- k2 (k1,m1 x2) k2/8 stitches Row 4- purl Row 5- k3 (k1,m1 x2) k3/10 stitches Row 6- purl Row 7- k4 (k1,m1 x2) k4/12 stitches Row 8- purl Row 9- k5 (k1,m1 x2) k5/14 stitches Row 10- purl Keeping increases correct continue knitting until you have 30 stitches ending with a purl row Knit next row Purl next row K1 then knit two together until last 3 stitches. Knit 2 together then knit last stitch/16 stitches Purl next row Knit 2 together to end of row/8 stitches Break of yarn leaving around 8 and thread this through remaining stitches but dont draw up

Ears (make 2): Using smaller needles cast on 3 stitches Row 1 k1,m1 in first stitch k2/4 stitches Row 2 p1,m1 in first stitch p3/5 stitches Row 3 k1,m1 in first stitch k4/6 stitches Row 4 p1,m1 in first stitch k5/7 stitches Row 5 knit Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches then draw up and finish off.

Tail: Take three lengths of yarn (about 8) Knot together at one end and plait together and knot to finish.

Making up: Fold mouse body in half, right sides together and place tail on right side leaving knot on wrong side, draw up the stitches at the decreased end. Put a couple of stitches through the tail to hold it in place and stitch body half way along Go to cast on end and stitch up until almost at middle Turn right side out, stuff firmly and stitch up Place ears about half inch from nose and stitch in place firmly Using a different coloured yarn stitch eyes and nose using a couple of stitches for each. Your mouse should measure 9 from nose to tail so adjust tail until the right measurement is reached. Secure to the mouse in front with two stitches under chin.

Happy knitting!