7.5 m to inches

CHINESE NEW YEAR RAT

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.

PUMPKIN STRING ART

This pumpkin string art is absolutely gorgeous! It’s a fun, relaxing craft that’s perfect for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any autumn decor. Just use our free printable template to create these stunning string art pieces! They’re easy to make and look fantastic displayed on the mantel.

DIY PUMPKIN STRING ART

Create your own pumpkin string art using our FREE printable template! It’s a fun and easy fall craft that looks fantastic on display.

Materials:

  • Free Printable Pumpkin String Art Template
  • 3/4-inch thick stained wood (approx. 10 x 10 inches)
  • Common nails (3/4 to 1 inch long)
  • 3 skeins of pumpkin orange embroidery thread
  • 1 skein of brown embroidery thread
  • 2 skeins of dark orange embroidery thread

Equipment:

  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Hammer

Instructions

Step 1: Gather Your SuppliesCollect all the materials and tools you’ll need for your pumpkin string art project.

Step 2: Attach the Template to the Wood
Print the free pumpkin string art template, then cut around the shape, leaving a small border outside the outline.

Secure the pumpkin template to the center of your wood board with tape to hold it in place. You can use plain wood or, for added effect, stain the wood beforehand as we did.

Step 3: Add Nails and Remove the Template
Hammer nails along the outline of the pumpkin, leaving each nail sticking out about 1/2 inch above the wood. If using the template, place nails at the marked spots; otherwise, space them about 1/2 to 3/4 inch apart for an even look. Once done, carefully remove the paper template.

Continue placing nails around the outer edge of the pumpkin shape and along the inner lines to define the details. Once finished, check that the nails are straight and evenly spaced, making any final adjustments as needed.

Tear away the pumpkin template from the board, removing as much of the paper as you can. For any small bits left behind, use tweezers to carefully pull them out.

Step 4: Attach the String to the Nails
Begin by tying the pumpkin orange embroidery floss to one of the nails with a double knot, leaving a 1 to 2-inch tail of string at the end.

Begin weaving the string up one section of the pumpkin, going from nail to nail in a zig zag pattern.

As you reach the top of the pumpkin, retrace your steps by coming back down the same section in the opposite direction.

Repeat the process by overlapping the same section with the thread 2 to 3 more times, weaving back and forth at different angles. Once you’ve filled that section, move on to the next one and continue the same technique.

When you run out of thread, tie off the last thread and start a new one.

Continue working section by section until the entire pumpkin is filled. Adjust the string as needed, pushing it down onto the nails to ensure a neat and even appearance.

Tie the brown embroidery thread onto the stem.

Weave the string back and forth across the stem, wrapping it around the nails several times. Once you’re satisfied with the appearance of the stem, cut the string and tie it off securely.

Step 5: Create an Outside Border
Use the darker orange thread to form a border around the pumpkin. Begin by tying the string onto one of the outside nails securely.

As you work along the outside of the pumpkin, wrap the string around each nail to create a straight line along the inside of the nails. We recommend going counterclockwise around the pumpkin. Bring the thread from nail to nail, making a clockwise loop around each one to secure the string in place.

After completing the first round, reverse direction and create a border around the outside of the same nails. Move back around the pumpkin in a clockwise direction, continuing to wrap the thread clockwise around each nail.

Next, add a third layer to the border by filling in the center. Go between the same nails in the opposite direction each time, creating a zigzag pattern that connects the nails and adds depth to the border.

Finally, go back in the opposite direction one last time, zigzagging in the opposite direction.

Once you’ve finished the outside border, cut and tie off the string.

Step 6: Add Borders and Trim Excess String

Create a similar border on the pumpkin stem using the brown thread. Repeat the process of wrapping around each side of the nails and zigzagging between them in both directions. Once you’re satisfied with the look, cut the string and tie it off securely.

Tie on a new piece of darker orange thread at the bottom left and create a border around each inside section of nails. Move on to the next row by wrapping the thread across the bottom nails, continuing the border pattern.

Finish creating borders around the next two ribs of the pumpkin. Tie and cut off the thread when complete.

Trim the excess string, close to the knots you’ve tied.

Your string art pumpkin is complete!

Helpful Tips:

  • Stain or paint the wood before adding the nails for a polished finish.
  • If you’re concerned about hitting your fingers, or if you need to place a nail in a tight spot, use pliers to hold the nail in place while hammering.
  • Hammer the nails on the ground or another stable surface, as your table may shake and move while you work.
  • Choose wood that’s at least 1/2 inch thick, or ideally the same thickness as the nails’ length, to prevent the nails from protruding through the back of the board.