Dudley the Dormouse
A free pattern from Dormouse Handknits
Body
Using 3mm needles, cast on 16 stitches. P 1 row. Next row: Inc K wise into every st- 32 sts. Beginning with a P row, continue in st-st and work 13 rows. Shape shoulders Next row: K7, (K2tog) twice, K10, (K2tog) twice, K7- 28sts. P1 row. Next row: (K1, K2tog) to last st, K1- 19sts. Cast off. Join row ends to form back seam and turn right side out. Gather round cast on sts, pull up tightly and fasten off. Stuff body firmly. Leave neck open for now.
Head
Cast on 5sts. Inc. K wise into every st- 10 sts. P 1 row. Next row: (K1, inc in next st) to end- 15 sts. P 1 row. Next row: Inc K wise into 1st st, K3, inc in next st, K5, inc in next st, K3, inc in last st- 19 sts. P 1 row. Next row: Inc K wise into 1st st, K4, inc in next st, K7, inc in next st, K4, inc in last st- 23 sts. P1 row. Next row: Inc K wise into 1st st, K 5, inc in next st, K9, inc in next st, K5, inc in last st- 27 sts. P 1 row. Next row: Inc K wise into 1st st, K6, inc in next st, K11, inc in next st, K6, inc in last st- 31 sts St-st 7 rows. Next row: K6, (K2tog) twice, K11, (K2tog) twice, K6- 27sts. P1 row. Next row: (K1, K2tog) to end- 16 sts. Next row: (P2tog) to end- 8sts. B& T loosely. Gather up cast on sts tightly, then join row ends, forming the underhead seam. Turn right side out. Work a few small horizontal stitches in pink across the snout. Stuff the head firmly. Mark eye positions with pins, 4 knitted rows above snout, leaving 3 clear sts between them. Using single lengths of black yarn, make knots for eyes, winding yarn around 4 times before pulling the knot tight. Pass one end of the yarn through face at the marked position to come out at the back of the head. Pass the other end of the yarn through just below the first. Knot tightly against the stuffing. Repeat for the other eye. Add a little extra stuffing to cover the threads, then pull up the B & T stitches and fasten off. For whiskers, thread two lengths of black yarn through the snout and trim. (Omit this if giving the mouse as a toy) To attach the head, gather round the cast off stitches at the neck and pull up a little. Place the head onto the body at desired angle and stitch around. Ears (make two) Cast on 12 sts. K 1 row. Next row: (P2tog) to end- 6sts. B & T tightly. Gather row ends, pull up tightly and fasten off. Sew ears to head.
Feet (make two)
Using pink yarn, cast on 3 sts. Inc K wise into every st- 6 sts. Beginning with a P row, st-st 4 rows. Next row: (K2tog, yrn fwd) twice, K2tog- 5 sts. Beginning with a K row, st-st 4 rows. Cast off, leaving a long end of yarn. With right side of st-st outside, bring cast on and cast off edges together and oversew, using the long end of yarn. Oversew sides of feet. Sew feet to front underside of body. Arms (make two) Beginning with the hand, cast on 4 sts. Inc K wise into every st- 8 sts. St-st 9 rows. Next row: K2tog to end. B & T tightly. Gather cast on stitches and pull up tightly. Join row ends. Turn arm right side out and stuff lightly. Fasten off B & T stitches. Sew arms to side of body.
Tail
Using pink yarn, cast on 5 sts. Beginning with a K row, st-st 3 rows. Next row: K2tog, K1, K2tog- 3 sts. St-st 25 rows. Next row: K3tog- 1 st. Fasten off, leaving a long end of yarn. Use the long end of yarn to oversew row ends up the length of the tail. Attach top end of tail to lower back of body.
