This stylized cat-toy is a real quicky to make, and the hemp string really holds up to even kitten-style rough housing.
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Ecolution Fine Hemp Twine (0.8 mm diameter, 325 yds/297 m, 2.3 oz/65 gm) – 1 ball natural.
- Stuffing material: Any kind of stuffing is fine (cotton balls or leftover bits of yarn, for example), but I prefer pieces of cellophane or mylar because they make crinkely noises that cats seem to like. A really excellent source of mylar is from the windows of envelopes from bills and junk mail. Recycling at its finest! Add catnip as desired.
US Pattern Notations Used
ch = chain
st(s) = stitch(es)
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
dec = decrease
Body
Ch 2.
Rnd 1. 4 sc in second ch from hook.
The next couple of rounds are tricky because you are working with so few stitches. It gets considerably easier by round 3.
Rnd 2. Continuing around, *sc in 1st st, then 2 sc in next st. Repeat from * 1 time. (6 sc)
Rnd 3. *2 sc in first st, then sc in next 2 st. Repeat from * 1 time. (8 sc)
Rnd 4. *2 sc in first st, then sc in next 2 st. Repeat from * 2 times. (12 sc)
Rnd 5. sc in each st. (12 sc)
Rnd 6. *sc in next 2 st, then 2 sc in following st. Repeat from * 4 x’s. (16 sc)
Rnd 7. sc in each st. (16 sc)
Rnd 8. *sc in next 3 st, then 2 sc in following st. Repeat from * 4 times. (20 scs)
Rnd 9. sc in each st. (20 sc)
Rnd 10. Repeat rnd 9.
Rnd 11. sc in next 3 st. *Decrease 1 st by pulling up loop in next 2 sts, then yo and pull through all three loops on hook. Sc in next st. Repeat from * 5 times. sc in last 2 sts. (15 sc)
Between rounds 11 and 12 is the best time to stuff the mousie. Use enough stuffing to give the mousie plenty of firmness. By holding the sides of the mousie out, the stuffing will make the remaining rounds considerably easier.
Rnd 12. sc in next 2 sts. *Decrease 1 st, then sc in following st. Repeat from * 6 times. sc in last st. (8 sc)
Rnd 13. dec around (4 sts).
Close the end of the mousie by sl st into the second st from hook. Start the tail from here without breaking off.
Tail
Ch 25.
Turn, sl st in 2nd chain from hook and in the next 3 ch sts as well. Skip one ch st, sl st in following chain. *Sl st in next 4 ch, skip one ch, sl st in following ch. Repeat from * twice more. Sl st to end of ch and break off. Weave in end.