Barnaby the Field Mouse embodies the classic baby schema. We utilize a strict 60/40 head-to-body ratio to ensure his youthfulness. His overalls are integrated directly into the body’s construction, offering a seamless and sturdy finish. The separate, heavily shaped muzzle guarantees maximum volume, pushing outward from the face for an undeniably soft profile.
Project Snapshot
🧶 Skill Level: Intermediate
🧶 Time Investment: Approximately 6 hours
🧶 Sizing: 7 inches tall (using DK weight yarn)
Materials
🪡 DK weight cotton yarn in Brown, White, Light Blue, and Light Pink
🪡 2.5mm crochet hook
🪡 10mm black safety eyes
🪡 Fiberfill stuffing
🪡 Two small wooden buttons (8mm)
🪡 Black and pink embroidery thread
🪡 Stiff white thread for whiskers
🪡 Yarn needle
Abbreviations
✨ MR: Magic Ring
✨ ch: chain
✨ sc: single crochet
✨ inc: increase (2 sc in one stitch)
✨ dec: decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
✨ BLO: Back Loops Only
✨ FLO: Front Loops Only
✨ st(s): stitch(es)
The Pattern
The Head (Brown Yarn)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
R9: [7 sc, inc] x 6 (54)
R10-R18: sc in each st around (54)
Insert 10mm safety eyes between Rounds 14 and 15. Count 9 stitches of space between them. Secure the backings firmly.
R19: [7 sc, dec] x 6 (48)
R20: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
R21: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
R22: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
Begin stuffing the head firmly, shaping it into a wide sphere.
R23: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
R24: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
The Muzzle and Cheeks (White Yarn)
R1: Ch 7. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: 5 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Turn to work on the opposite side of the chain: 4 sc, inc in the last ch (14)
R2: inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc (20)
R3: 1 sc, inc, 4 sc, [1 sc, inc] x 3, 4 sc, [1 sc, inc] x 2 (26)
R4: 2 sc, inc, 4 sc, [2 sc, inc] x 3, 4 sc, [2 sc, inc] x 2 (32)
R5: 3 sc, inc, 4 sc, [3 sc, inc] x 3, 4 sc, [3 sc, inc] x 2 (38)
R6-R8: sc in each st around (38)
Fasten off, leaving a very long tail.
The Ears (Make 2)
Inner Ear (White Yarn):
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
Fasten off the white yarn.
Outer Ear (Brown Yarn):
R1-R3: Repeat the instructions for the Inner Ear. Do not fasten off.
R4: Place the wrong side of the white inner ear against the wrong side of the brown outer ear. Working through both thicknesses to join them: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Pinch the base of the ear flat and sew the bottom 2 stitches together to create a slight curve.
The Legs and Lower Body (Start with Pink Yarn)
Leg 1:
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: [1 sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3: sc in each st around (9)
Change to Light Blue Yarn.
R4-R5: sc in each st around (9)
Fasten off Leg 1.
Leg 2:
R1-R5: Repeat instructions for Leg 1. Do not fasten off.
Joining the Legs:
R6: Ch 3. sc 9 around Leg 1, sc 3 along the chain, sc 9 around Leg 2, sc 3 along the opposite side of the chain (24)
R7: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R8: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R9: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R10-R14: sc in each st around (42)
R15: Change to Brown Yarn. Working in BLO: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
R16-R17: sc in each st around (36)
R18: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
R19-R20: sc in each st around (30)
R21: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
R22: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff the body firmly.
The Overalls Bib and Straps (Light Blue Yarn)
Hold the body upside down. Locate the unworked Front Loops of R15. Find the center 10 stitches across the front of the belly.
Row 1: Attach Light Blue yarn in the rightmost stitch of those center 10. sc 10 (10)
Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-4: sc in each st across (10)
Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: dec, 6 sc, dec (8)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Straps (Make 2):
Row 1: Ch 20. sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (19)
Fasten off, leaving tails for sewing.
The Arms (Make 2, Start with Pink Yarn)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: [1 sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3: sc in each st around (9)
Change to Brown Yarn.
R4-R10: sc in each st around (9)
Stuff the hand firmly, leaving the upper arm empty. Pinch the top opening flat. Working through both sides: 4 sc (4)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
The Tail (Pink Yarn)
R1: 4 sc in MR (4)
R2-R8: sc in each st around (4)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Assembly
➡️ Position the white muzzle centrally on the lower half of the head, resting just beneath the eyes. Stuff it firmly as you sew it to the face to maintain its prominent, chubby volume.
➡️ Embroider a vertical line in dark brown thread down the center of the muzzle, ending in an upward curve for the mouth. Using pink embroidery thread, stitch a small triangular nose at the very top center of the muzzle.
➡️ Thread stiff white thread horizontally through the muzzle on each side of the nose to create three whiskers per side. Trim evenly.
➡️ Sew the ears to the top sides of the head, spanning Rounds 6 through 10.
➡️ Sew the head to the body.
➡️ Sew the flat tops of the arms to the sides of the body at Round 21. They should lay flush against the torso.
➡️ Cross the overall straps in an ‘X’ over the back of the body. Sew the back ends to the top edge of the light blue trousers. Sew the front ends to the top corners of the bib. Attach a wooden button to each front corner.
➡️ Sew the pink tail to the center back of the trousers, around Round 9.