Crochet your very own charming rat, featuring a cute protruding snout, floppy ears, a bendable tail, and the most endearing pose. This delightful creation is perfect for rat and mouse enthusiasts and makes a wonderful way to celebrate Chinese New Year!
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Coboo Yarn (lightweight level 3) in White (~22 g) and Pink (~5 g)
- 2.75 mm Clover Amour Hook
- Yarn Needle (bent-tip helpful for attaching parts)
- Fiberfill Stuffing
- 7.5 mm Safety Eyes
- Pink Embroidery Floss
- Optional: Decorative Floral Wire (12 gauge) for tail
Notes
- Work in continuous rounds to avoid seams (do not slip stitch at the end of each round).
- For added facial depth, we’ll use the eye indentation technique to pull the safety eyes back and create more definition.
- Be sure to check the blog posts on Amigurumi Basics, such as how to read patterns, the magic circle, invisible decrease, and more, to help you with the process.
- Finished size: 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall, 2 inches (5 cm) wide (4.5 inches/11.4 cm from ear to ear).
Abbreviations
- sc = Single Crochet
- inc = Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- dec = Decrease (single crochet two stitches together)
- ch = Chain
- sl st = Slip Stitch
- R = Round
INSTRUCTION
HEAD (USING WHITE YARN)
- R1: 4 sc in magic ring (4 sts)
- R2: Sc 1, inc 2 times (6 sts)
- R3: Sc 2, inc 2 times (8 sts)
- R4: Sc 3, inc 2 times (10 sts)
- R5: Sc 4, inc 2 times (12 sts)
- R6: Sc 4, inc x 4, Sc 4 (16 sts)
- R7: Sc 8, inc x 2, Sc 6 (18 sts)
- R8: Sc 6, inc, Sc 1 4 times, Sc 4 (22 sts)
- R9: Sc 8, inc, Sc 1 4 times, Sc 6 (26 sts)
- R10: Sc 14, inc x 2, Sc 10 (28 sts)
- R11: Sc around (28 sts)
- R12: Sc 16, inc x 2, Sc 10 (30 sts)
- R13: Sc around (30 sts)
- R14: Sc 18, inc x 2, Sc 10 (32 sts)
- R15: Sc around (32 sts)
- R16: Sc 6, dec 4 times (28 sts)
- R17: Sc 5, dec 4 times (24 sts)
- R18: Sc 4, dec 4 times (20 sts)
Insert the Safety Eyes: Place the 7.5 mm safety eyes between Rounds 9 and 10, about 11 stitches apart. Do not secure them yet.
Eye Indentation: Tie the long white yarn strands around each post of the safety eyes. Pull the yarn down in an “X” pattern inside the head, then pull the strands out through the head between Rounds 9 and 10. Stuff the head gently.
Note: Watch the technique in action here for better clarity.
- R19: Sc 3, dec 4 times (16 sts)
- R20: Sc 2, dec 4 times (12 sts)
- R21: Dec around (6 sts)
Fasten off, closing the opening by pulling the yarn tight through the front loops. Weave in ends and tie off the eye indentation strands.
Add the Nose:
Use pink embroidery floss to stitch a small pink nose in the center of the magic ring.
OUTER EARS (MAKE 2 – USING WHITE YARN)
- R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 sts)
- R2: Inc around (12 sts)
- R3: Sc 1, inc 6 times (18 sts)
- R4: Sc 2, inc 6 times (24 sts)
- R5: Sc 3, inc 6 times (30 sts)
- R6: Sc 4, inc 6 times (36 sts)
- R7: Sc around (36 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
EAR LINING (MAKE 2 – USING PINK YARN)
- R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 sts)
- R2: Inc around (12 sts)
- R3: Sc 1, inc 6 times (18 sts)
- R4: Sc 2, inc 6 times (24 sts)
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Assembly of Ears: Place the pink ear lining inside the white outer ear (wrong sides facing). Attach by stitching through the back loops of the pink lining. Pinch the ear tips and fold them. Position the folded ears on the head between Rounds 14-16 and sew them in place.
BODY (USING WHITE YARN)
- Ch 5 (foundation chain, will crochet around it).
- R1: Starting from second ch from hook, sc 4 in back loops. Turn and sc 4 in front loops of the foundation chain (8 sts).
- R2: Inc, sc 2, inc x 2, sc 2, inc (12 sts).
- R3: Inc x 2, sc 4, inc x 2, sc 4 (16 sts).
- R4: Sc 1, inc x 2, sc 5, inc x 2, sc 6 (20 sts).
- R5: Sc around (20 sts).
- R6-10: Sc around (20 sts).
- R11: Sc 8, dec 2 times (18 sts).
- R12: Sc 7, dec 2 times (16 sts).
- R13: Sc 6, dec 2 times (14 sts).
Fasten off and leave a long yarn tail for sewing.
Optional: Pinch the bottom of the body to help it sit flat and secure it by threading yarn through the base of the body.
ARMS (MAKE 2 – USING PINK YARN)
- R1: 4 sc in magic ring. Switch to white yarn and sl st to the next stitch.
- R2-5: Sc around (4 sts).
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Attach the arms to the body, positioning them on Rounds 10-11, folding them inward so the pink tips meet.
LEGS/THIGHS (MAKE 2 – USING WHITE YARN)
- Ch 4, then sc 3 in back loops of the foundation chain. Turn and sc 3 in front loops (6 sts).
- R2: Inc, sc 1, inc x 2, sc 1, inc (10 sts).
- R3: Sc 10 (10 sts).
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Attach the legs to the body on Rounds 5-7, ensuring they are spaced approximately 6 stitches apart.
FEET (MAKE 2 – USING PINK YARN)
- R1: 4 sc in magic ring (4 sts).
- R2-4: Sc 4 (4 sts).
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Attach the feet to the bottom of the body near the legs.
TAIL (USING PINK YARN)
- R1: 3 sc in magic ring.
- R2-21: Sc 3 (3 sts each round).
Optional: Insert a piece of floral wire into the tail for extra support. Attach the tail to the bottom back of the body.
CONCLUSION
The Year of the Rat, with its emphasis on intelligence, adaptability, and prosperity, offers a unique perspective on the Chinese New Year. As we bid farewell to this auspicious year, let us carry forward the spirit of the Rat – resourceful, quick-witted, and ever-optimistic. May the wisdom and resilience symbolized by the Rat guide us towards a future filled with success and harmony.
