The smaller of the two rat toys offered, intended to resemble the typical difference in male and female rats. Yet another simple durable toy designed as a tribute to the Rat Terrier and enjoyed by any dog that loves to shake, fetch, and chew squeaky things. Rugged one-piece construction. Use you scrap yarns or pick your favorite colors. Stuff with a squeaker for added interest. Includes: \*Full-color pattern with added tips and instructional photos \*Printable no-graphic pattern cheat sheet Designed by Jenna Wingate of A Dog In A Sweater Share your creations and find more patterns on Facebook and Ravelry Pattern Usage: For personal use, donation, gifts, and fund-raising. Please do not sell for personal gain or claim this pattern as your own.
Doe Rat
Tips:
\*Some dogs don't do well with squeakers. I know some that will tear up a toy within seconds just to get the squeaker out. They will have a hard time tearing up one of these, but they will eventually succeed. If you are gifting this toy, you might want to ascertain ahead of time if squeakers are appropriate for the intended recipient. When making items for donation, I like to include some with and some without just to be safe. \*See our Buck Rat pattern for more tips on crocheting dog toys.
Trivia:
\*The male rat is called a buck and can grow quite large. The female rat, or doe, is considerably smaller. The most common species of rats and mice were unknowingly spread about the world by The Vikings. \* A Rat Terrier holds the record for the most rats killed in a single infested barn- 2,501 rats in 7 hours. A Bull Terrier once killed over 1000 rats in less than 1o0 minutes in a (now illegal) rat pit. We don't want rats to die, so we make them out of yarn, right?
Doe Rat
a dog toy Stats: Skill Level: Easy Size: @7inches + tail
Materials:
\*Worsted Weight Yarn in 2 colors (or 2 scrap balls) \*H/8 (5.0mm) hook \*Stitch Marker \*Heavy Duty Squeaker (optional)
Stitches Used:
(American Crochet Terms) Magic Circle SC = single crochet SCdec = single crochet decrease aka single crochet 2 tog CH = chain SL ST = slip stitch FO = finish off
Pattern:
\*Holding 2 strands together throughout. \*Working in rounds, do not join. \*Mark the last stitch of each round. \*Total number of stitches for each round given in (parentheses) \*\*It is useful to visualize that (for the most part) the belly of the rat shouldremainflatandallthe shaping (increases and decreases) will be made evenly across the top of the head, shoulder, back, and rump. Round 1 - 3 SC in a magic circle. (3SC) Round 2- 2SC in each stitch. (6SC) Round 3- SC in the first 2 stitches. 2SC in the next 2 stitches. SC in the last 2 stitches. (8SC) Round 4- SC in the first 2 stitches. (2SC in the next stitch, SC in the next 2 stitches) twice. (10SC) Round 5 - SC in the first 2 stitches. (2SC in the next 2 stitches, SC in the next 2 stitches) twice. (14SC) Stuff the tails into the nose to get them out of your way. Round 6 - SC in the first 3 stitches. \*(2SC in the next stitch, SC in the next)\*\* twice. SC in the next stitch. Repeat from \* to \*\* twice more. SC in the last 2 stitches. (18SC) Rounds 7-8 - SC in each stitch. Round 9 - The Ear Round - SC in the first 7 stitches. CH5. SC in the next 4 stitches. CH5. SC in the last 7 stitches. (18 SC, 2 5CH ears) Round 10- SC in each stitch around, folding ears forward so they remain on the outside of the work. You do not stitch into these chains, only into the SC. (18SC) Round 11 - SC in each stitch. Round 12 - SC in the first 7 stitches. (2SC in the next, SC in the next stich) 3 times. SC in the last 5 stitches. (21 SC) Round 13-SCin each stitch around. Round 14- Front Feet Round - SC in first 2 stitches. Chain 7. SC in 2nd chain from hook and in next 2 chains. SL ST in next 3 chains. [Foot Made]. SC in next 8 stitches. 2SC in next stitch. SC in next 8 stitches. Make Foot. SC in last 2 stitches. (22SC, 2 feet) Round 15- SC in each stitch around, folding feet forward as ears and stitching only into the SC from previous round. (22 SC) Round 16 - SC in the next 8 stitches. (2SC in the next stitch, SC in the next 4 stitches) twice.
Doe Rat pattern continued..
SC in the last 4 stitches. (24SC) Round 17 - SC in each stitch around. Round 18 - SC in the first 9 stitches. (2SC in the next, SC in the next 2) 3 times. SC in the last 6 stitches. (27SC) Rounds 19-22 - SC in each stitch around. On round 22, if needed (see note), continue to crochet to the center of the belly and place stitch marker. Note: Due to the nature of crocheting in the round, your first stitch of each row will migrate to the right (if you are right-handed). To make getting the front and back feet lined up easier, we will move our row beginning back to the center of the rat's belly by crocheting a few more stitches. Round 23-BackFeetRound-SCin thefirst 2 stitches. Make Foot. SC in the next 23 stitches. Make Foot. SC in the last 2 stitches. (27SC, 2 feet) Round 24 - SC in each stitch around, folding feet forward as ears and stitching only into the SC from previous round. (27SC) Round 25- SC in each stitch around. Round 26- SC in the next 7 stitches. (SCdec, SC in the next stitch) 5 times. SC in the last 5 stitches. (22SC) Round 27-29 - SC in each stitch around. Round 30- SC in the first 6 stitches. (SCdec, SC in the next stitch) 4 times. SC in the last 4 stitches. (18SC) Round 31- SC in each stitch around. FO leaving an 18inch tail. Stuff a little polyfil into the head, add squeaker (if desired) and finish stuffing. Stuff firmly or loosely as suitable to the dog's mouth size. Cut a double strand 40 inches long. Weave through the end stitches as to form a drawstring. Tighten and tie to hold the body closed. Cut 18 lengths of yarn 36 inches long. Pull one strandthroughtheendofeachstitchandmatch the ends (forming a double thickness) Divide all the yarn into 3 sections and braid tightly. (Ilt helps to hold the rat between your knees as you do this). When you get near the end, tie a thick knot, pulling and tightening to work it toward the ends, leaving at least 1 inch of fringe. Trim fringe as desired.
A Doe Rat made from scrap balls
Buck Rat and Doe rat comparison
The following page is a printable pattern cheat sheet. Its purpose is to remind you of the rounds onceyou arealreadyfamiliarwiththepattern.Pleaselimitall paperusefor thesakeofourplanet.
Doe Rat: a dog toy
Designed by Jenna Wingate of A Dog In A Sweater Printable pattern cheat sheet All shaping is made across the top in orientation with the ears. 1.3SC 2. 6 SC 3. 8 SC 4. 10 SC 5. 14 SC 6. 18 SC 7. & 8. SC around 9. Make ears 10. & 11. SC around (make ears) 12. 21 SC 13. SC around 14.22, feet 15. SC around 16.24 SC 17. SC around 18.27 SC 19.- 22. SC around 23. SC around, feet 24.& 25.SC around 26.22 SC 27.- 29. SC around 30.18 SC 31. SC around FO, 18inch tail Stuff and add squeaker. 40 inch drawstring (18) 36inch fringe for tail Find A Dog In A Sweater on Facebook and Ravelry for more great patterns. Thanks for visiting us! Hope your dog enjoys their rat!
