Felted Mice

Materials
Small amounts of feltable yarn,
I find 15 yards is usually sufficient.
Worsted weight yarn makes a mouse about 1.5 to 2 inches long,
a heavier yarn will make a larger mouse.

Doublepoint needles a couple of sizes larger than usually used for your yarn.
I use a size 8 with worsted weigh yarn.

A handful of wool for stuffing
A couple of pinches of catnip
A bell
Sewing thread and needle
crochet cotton

Bobble~
Knit into the front, back, and front
of next stitch; turn
purl 3 stitches; turn
k2tog, k1, slip the knit stitch over the k2tog

Cast-on 2 stitches
Row 1: knit into the front and back (k f&b) of both stitches (4sts). Join in round
Round 2 & all all even rounds: knit
Round 3: k1, k f&b, k f&b, k1 (6sts)
Round 5: k1, k f&b, k f&b,k f&b,k f&b,k1 (10 sts)
Round 7: k2, k f&b, bobble, k2, bobble, k f&b, k2 (12sts)
Round 9: k2, k f&b, k6, k f&b, k2 (14sts)
Continue to knit every round for 1 more inch.
At the end of next round turn and purl back to the beginning of the round.
Continue to work back and forth in rows for 1 inch.
~ for this section you will be purling 14 sts, turning, knitting 14 sts, turning and so forth... this creates an opening for you to stuff the mouse later.
Join in round and knit 1 round.
Next round: k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1 (10 stitches)
Next round: k2tog 5 times (5 sts)
Next round: k2tog, k1, k2tog (3sts)

Work the last 3 stitches in i-cord for 4 inches.

Bring end through stitches and tighten.

Hide ends.

With the crochet cotton gently sew shut the opening in the belly.

If you go crazy you might have something like these at this point...

Mice

Go ahead and felt these in your favorite fashion. I toss mine into the washing machine on hot water/ heavy duty cycle. You will want to pull them out frequently and pull on their sides to keep the center open. They will want to stick together and felt shut.

Once they're felted cut the crochet cotton loose and pull open the belly. You may need to cut a bit because sometimes the fibers jump across that opening.

I usually push the bell up by the nose, and put in a bit of wool stuffing.
Then the catnip goes in, followed by more stuffing.
Sew shut and go spoil your cat!

mice