Knit all four of our brilliant Christmas mice characters

Knit all four of our brilliant Christmas mice characters

Make yours the best dressed Christmas tree by casting on these adorable knitted Christmas mice. There’s an angel, Santa, carol singer and skier mouse

Published: October 24, 2024 at 8:51 am

Knit these four Christmas mice for your own tree, or make a set to give out to your loved ones! Designer Amanda Berry has included four pattern variations to give each of the mice different characters and personalities.

Each Christmas mouse follows the same basic mouse knitting pattern for the head, body, ears, arms, feet and tail sections. Use different yarn colours in the basic pattern, then add their outfit and accessories to make them into an angel, Santa, carol singer or skier.

The mice are all knitted in double knit (DK yarn), with accessories made from cocktail sticks, felt scraps and things you will hopefully already have at home. It’s a great project for using up your yarn leftovers.

We’re sharing the basic mouse knitting pattern, and giving all the notes you need to adapt this and knit the outfits for your chosen character. If you are not knitting for Christmas, use the basic pattern to make a knitted mouse without the festive flavour.

Which of these cuties will you knit first?


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Things to know before you cast on the Christmas mice knitting pattern

Mouse knitting pattern tension

22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 3.5mm needles

To find out more about knitting tension and why it’s important, see Gathered’s guide on knitting tension squares

Mouse knitting pattern measurements

Each of the Christmas mice will measure approximately 11cm (4¼in) tall

Mouse knitting pattern abbreviations

This Christmas mice knitting pattern uses standard UK knitting abbreviations. For a full list, see Gathered’s knitting abbreviations guide.


Free mouse knitting pattern

Knitting the head of the basic mouse pattern

Total time:

Approx 5 hours per mouse

Step 1

Casting on the mouse’s head

Cast on 8 sts using 3.5mm needles.

Step 2

Increasing stitches to widen the mouse’s head

Row 1 and all following odd-numbered rows (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (RS) K1, (kfb) 6 times, K1. [14 sts]
Row 4 K1, (kfb) 12 times, K1. [26 sts]

Step 3

Working stocking stitch to grow the mouse’s head

Rows 5 to 11 Starting on a WS purl row, work in st st.

Step 4

Decreasing stitches to narrow the mouse’s head

Row 12 K5, k2tog, K4, k2tog, ssk, K4, ssk, K5. [22 sts]
Row 14 K4, k2tog, K3, k2tog, ssk, K3, ssk, K4. [18 sts]
Row 16 K3, k2tog, K2, k2tog, ssk, K2, ssk, K3. [14 sts]
Row 18 K2, k2tog, K1, k2tog, ssk, K1, ssk, K2. [10 sts]
Row 20 (K2tog) 5 times. [5 sts]

Step 5

Casting off the knitted mouse’s head

Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.

Knitting the body of the basic mouse pattern

Step 1

Casting on the mouse’s body

Cast on 8 sts using 3.5mm needles.

Step 2

Increasing stitches to widen the mouse’s body

Row 1 and all following odd-numbered rows (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (RS) K1, (kfb) 6 times, K1. [14 sts]
Row 4 K1, (kfb) 12 times, K1. [26 sts]

Step 3

Working stocking stitch to grow the mouse’s body

Rows 5 to 11 Starting on a WS purl row, work in st st.

Step 4

Decreasing stitches to narrow at the mouse’s waist

Row 12 K3, ssk, K4, k2tog, K4, ssk, K4, k2tog, K3. [22 sts]

Step 5

Lengthening the mouse’s body with stocking stitch

Rows 13 to 15 Starting on a WS purl row, work in st st.

Step 6

Decreasing stitches to narrow towards the mouse’s bottom

Row 16 (K3, ssk, K3, k2tog) twice, K2. [18 sts]
Rows 17 to 19 Starting on a WS purl row, work in st st.
Row 20 (K2, ssk, K2, k2tog) twice, K2. [14 sts]
Rows 21 Purl.

Step 7

Casting off the mouse’s knitted body

Cast off.

Knitting the ears of the basic mouse pattern (make 2)

Step 1

Casting on the mouse’s ear

Cast on 16 sts using 3.5mm needles.

Step 2

Knitting a row to lengthen the mouse’s ear

Row 1 (WS) Knit.

Step 3

Decreasing stitches to make the ear shape

Row 2 (K2tog) 8 times. [8 sts]
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 (K2tog) 4 times. [4 sts]

Step 4

Casting off the mouse’s ear

Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.

Knitting the tail of the basic mouse pattern

Step 1

Casting on the mouse’s tail

Cast on 3 sts using 3.5mm DPNs.

Step 2

Work i-cord to lengthen the tail

Work i-cord for 16 rows.

Step 3

Casting off the knitted tail

Cast off.

Knitting the feet of the basic mouse pattern

Step 1

Casting on the knitted feet

Cast on 5 sts using 3.5mm DPNs.

Step 2

Work i-cord to lengthen the tail

Work i-cord for 3 rows.

Step 3

Casting off the knitted feet

Cast off.

Altering the basic mouse pattern to make a Santa Christmas mouse

Step 1

You can see the whole of the santa mouse hanging atom a chtosymas tree, with his knitted santa suit and hat and hit white embroidered nose with black embroidered outline and smiling embroidered mouth

Changing the yarn in the basic mouse body pattern for the Santa suit

Follow the basic mouse knitting pattern to knit the body in the following shades:
Cast on using Yarn E.
Rows 1 to 8 Work in Yarn E.
Rows 9 to 12 Work in Yarn C.
Row 13 Work in Yarn A.
Rows 14 to 20 Work in Yarn C. Row 21 Work in Yarn B.
Cast off.

Step 2

Changing the yarn colours in the basic mouse arm pattern for the Santa suit

Follow the basic mouse knitting pattern to knit the arms in the following shades:

Cast on using Yarn E.
Work i-cord for 3 rows in Yarn E.
Rows 4 to 12 Work in Yarn C.
Cast off.

 

How to work an i-cord

 

You can knit an i-cord using double pointed needles. Cast on your stitches and knit one row. Slip the stitches to the other end of your needle and then knit again in the same direction.

For a step by step look at this technique, find instructions on how to knit an i-cord in Gathered's how to knit from the centre out guide.

Step 3

Knitting a Santa hat for the Christmas mouse

Cast on 28 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn B.
Row 1 (WS) Knit.
Break Yarn B and join Yarn C.
Rows 2 to 5 Starting on a RS knit row, work in st st.
Row 6 K1, k2tog, K4, (k2tog, K5) 3 times. [24 sts]
Row 7 and all foll odd-numbered rows Purl.
Row 8 K1, k2tog, K3, (k2tog, K4) 3 times. [20 sts]
Row 10 K1, k2tog, K2, (k2tog, K3) 3 times. [16 sts]
Row 12 K1, k2tog, K1, (k2tog, K2) 3 times. [12 sts]
Row 14 K1, k2tog, (k2tog, K1) 3 times. [8 sts]
Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches. Pull tight to fasten.

Step 4

Knitting a collar for the Santa suit

Cast on 19 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn B. Cast off.

 

Altering and adding to the basic mouse pattern to make a carol singer Christmas mouse

Step 1

the sweet embroider face of the knitted carol singer mouse is seen close up, the mouse wear a red knitted hat and scarf and looks as thought it is smiling

Changing the yarn in the basic mouse knitting pattern

Follow the basic mouse knitting pattern in Yarn D.

Step 2

Knitting a hat for the carol singer mouse

Cast on 28 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn B.
Row 1 (WS) Knit.
Break Yarn B and join Yarn C.
Rows 2 to 5 Starting on a RS knit row, work in st st.
Row 6 K1, k2tog, K4, (k2tog, K5) 3 times. [24 sts]
Row 7 and all foll odd-numbered rows Purl.
Row 8 K1, k2tog, K3, (k2tog, K4) 3 times. [20 sts]
Row 10 K1, k2tog, K2, (k2tog, K3) 3 times. [16 sts]
Row 12 K1, k2tog, K1, (k2tog, K2) 3 times. [12 sts]
Row 14 K1, k2tog, (k2tog, K1) 3 times. [8 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.

Step 3

Knitting a scarf for the carol singer mouse

Cast on 3 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn C.
Row 1 Knit.
Repeat Row 1 until work measures 28cm.
Cast off.

Altering and adding to the basic mouse pattern to make a fairy Christmas mouse

Step 1

A grey knitted mouse face with two round ears, black eyes, white embroidered nose and smiling embroidered mouth

Changing the yarn in the basic mouse knitting pattern

Knit the head, ears, arms, feet and tail following the basic mouse knitting pattern in Yarn D.

Follow the basic mouse knitting pattern to knit the body in the following shades:
Cast on using Yarn D.
Rows 1 to 8 Work in Yarn D.
Rows 9 to 21 Work in Yarn B.
Cast off.

Step 2

Knitting the skirt for the fairy Christmas mouse

Cast on 78 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn B.
Rows 1 to 4 Knit.
Row 5 (K2tog, K1) 26 times. [52 sts]
Row 6 Knit.
Row 7 (K2tog) 26 times. [26 sts]
Cast off.

Step 3

Knitting the wings for the fairy Christmas mouse (make 2)

Cast on 3 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn B.
Row 1 and all foll odd-numbered rows Knit.
Row 2 (K1, yo) twice, K1. [5 sts]
Row 4 K1, yo, K3, yo, K1. [7 sts]
Row 6 K1, yo, K5, yo, K1. [9 sts]
Row 8 Knit.
Row 10 K1, k2tog, K3, k2tog, K1. [7 sts]
Row 12 K1, k2tog, K1, k2tog, K1. [5 sts]
Row 14 K1, sk2po, K1. [3 sts]
Row 16 Sk2po. [1 st]
Fasten off.

This is a full portrait picture showing all 4 christmas mice hanging from a tree decked with fairy lights and silver and red glitter baubles

Altering and adding to the basic mouse pattern to make a skier Christmas mouse

Step 1

Changing the yarn in the basic mouse knitting pattern

Knit the head, ears, feet and tail in the basic mouse knitting pattern in Yarn D.

Step 2

Follow the basic mouse knitting pattern to knit the body in the foll shades:
Cast on using Yarn E.
Rows 1 to 8 Work in Yarn E.
Rows 9 to 21 Work in Yarn C.
Cast off.

Step 3

Follow the basic mouse knitting pattern to knit the arms in the following shades:
Cast on using Yarn E.
Work 3 rows of i-cord in Yarn E.
Rows 4 to 12 Work in Yarn C.
Cast off.

Step 4

Knitting a hat for the skiing Christmas mouse

Cast on 28 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn C.
Row 1 (WS) (K1, P1) 14 times.
Rows 2 to 3 Rep Row 1 twice more.
Row 4 Knit.
Row 5 and all following odd-numbered rows Purl.
Row 6 K1, (k2tog, K7) 3 times. [25 sts]
Row 8 K1, (k2tog, K1) 8 times. [17 sts]
Row 10 K1, (k2tog) 8 times. [9 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.

Step 5

Knitting a collar for the skiing Christmas mouse

Cast on 3 sts using 3.5mm needles and Yarn C.
Rows 1 to 28 Knit.
Cast off.

Sewing and assembling your Christmas mice knitting pattern

Step 1

Putting together the heads of the Christmas mice

Insert the toy safety eyes on the head on each side of the central decrease stitches. Sew the side edges together, stuffing as you sew. This seam runs down the centre underside of the head. Gather the cast-on stitches together at the back of the head.

Step 2

Embroidering the noses and mouths of the Christmas mice

With Yarn B and three small horizontal stitches, embroider the nose on the front of the head. With black stranded cotton, outline the nose in a V shape and embroider the mouth.

A grey knitted mouse face with two round ears, black eyes, white embroidered nose and smiling embroidered mouth

Step 3

Sewing up the bodies of the Christmas mice and attaching heads

Sew the side edges tog and gather the cast-on sts tog at the bottom. The seam runs down the centre back. Sew the neckline (cast-off edge) to the underside of the head.

Step 4

Attaching the arms of the Christmas mice

Sew the cast-off end to the top sides of the body.

Step 5

Attaching the feet of the Christmas mice

Sew the cast-off end to the bottom front of the body.

Step 6

Attaching the tails of the Christmas mice

Sew the cast-off end to the bottom back of the body.

The knitted mouse is seem from behind with his wooden coffee storer skis crossed over under his long icord tail

Step 7

Sewing up the hats of the skiing, Santa and fairy mice

Sew the side edges together. Sew a pompom onto the top of each hat, place over the head and sew onto the head around the brim.

Step 8

Attaching the ears of the Christmas mice

Use the cast-off tail to sew the side edges tog to make a circle shape, then sew each ear to the head or to the hat if the character has a hat.

Things you’ll need to know when assembling the individual Christmas mice

Step 1

Finishing touches and yarn changes to use on the Santa mouse

Use Yarn B and chain stitch embroidery to add the jacket hem over the last Yarn E row of the body, up the centre front of the body, and the cuffs over the first Yarn E row on each arm. Wrap the collar around the neck and sew the ends together at the back.

Step 2

Finishing touches and yarn changes to use on the Carol singer mouse

Add 2cm-long tassels on each end of the Scarf in Yarns B and C. Wrap the scarf around the neck. For the hymn book, fold the felt fabric rectangle in half and use white cotton thread to sew a running stitch 3mm from the fold to create the book spine. With the cotton thread, sew the bottom corner of the hymn book onto the mouse’s hands.

the sweet embroider face of the knitted carol singer mouse is seen close up, the mouse wear a red knitted hat and scarf and looks as thought it is smiling

Step 3

Finishing touches and yarn changes to use on the fairy mouse

Sew the side edges of the skirt tog, place over the body with the seam at the back and sew onto the first Yarn B row of the body. Sew the cast-on edge of each Wing onto the side of the Body behind each Arm. For the wand, glue a pompom onto one end of a cocktail stick. Push the other end of the cocktail stick through the mouse’s hand and glue in position.

The Christmas mouse is dressed as a fairy and seen from behind so that her knitted wings attached to her body are seen and her long grey knitted tail

Step 4

Finishing touches and yarn changes to use on the skiing mouse

Use Yarn C and chain stitch embroidery to add the sweater hem over the first Yarn C row of the body and for the cuffs over the first Yarn C row on each Arm. Use Yarn B to embroider a zigzag line around the bottom of the sweater. Wrap the collar around the neck and sew the cast-on/off edges tog at the back. Push a cocktail stick through each hand for the ski poles and glue in position. Glue the coffee stirrers onto the bottom of the feet for skis.

Close up of two knitted blobby pale brown feet glued on to two wooden coffee stirrers

Download the Christmas mice knitting pattern

We know many Gathered makers would prefer a printer friendly version of the Christmas mice knitting pattern, or a download they can save on their own computers for when then need it.

Click to download the Christmas mice knitting pattern. This is an A4 PDF with 4 pages

Craft your best-ever Christmas for less

Make your home the warmest and most welcoming Christmas space you can by filling it with your own hand-crafted decorations.

These Christmas mice will make your tree magical, or string them on a garland to display cards with extra flourish.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make your home full of Christmas cheer

Discover more DIY Christmas makes with Gathered

Explore our other DIY Christmas makes for a crafty and cost-effective Christmas. Why not craft special Christmas ornaments just using paper by checking out our round-up of 21 DIY paper Christmas decorations? From peaceful doves to an origami Santa, you'll be sure to find plenty of decorations you can't wait to start making! Head over now and craft yourself the Christmas tree of your dreams this year.

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