Meet Cheese Market Mouse – a soft beige mouse in a red-and-cream gingham sundress, bonnet, red Mary Jane shoes, and a mesh market bag filled with a tiny baguette and a cheese wedge.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR – magic ring
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec – invisible decrease (sc 2 sts together)
- BLO – back loop only
- FLO – front loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- R – round/row
Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise noted. Use a stitch marker for the first stitch of each round.
Materials
- DK / light worsted yarn:
- Beige or light taupe (mouse body, limbs, ears, tail)
- Cream (bonnet, dress base, bag)
- Red (dress gingham, shoes, blush embroidery)
- Yellow (cheese wedge)
- Light golden or tan (baguette)
- 2.25–2.5 mm crochet hook
- 8 mm black safety eyes
- Stuffing (polyester fiberfill)
- Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers
- Optional: a little blush or fabric paint for cheeks
Gauge & Finished Size
Gauge is not critical, but stitches should be tight so stuffing doesn’t show.
With DK yarn and a 2.5 mm hook, the finished mouse is about 17–19 cm (6.5–7.5″) tall, not including bonnet ties.
Construction Overview
You will crochet:
- Mouse – legs, body, and head as one piece, plus arms, ears, and tail.
- Outfit – a one-piece gingham-style dress with puff sleeves, a bonnet, and red shoes.
- Accessories – an open mesh market bag, a mini baguette, and a cheese wedge.
Dress, bonnet, shoes, and bag are removable if you don’t stitch them down.
Mouse Body
Legs (make 2 – beige)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
R4–5: sc around (18) – foot base
R6: (4 sc, dec) around (15)
R7: (3 sc, dec) around (12)
R8–14: sc around (12) – leg tube
Stuff legs firmly up to R10, then lightly. Fasten off first leg only.
Work the second leg the same but do not fasten off; continue to body.
Join Legs & Body (beige)
R1 (join): ch 3 from second leg, join to first leg with sc in any st, sc around first leg (12), sc in each of 3 ch, sc around second leg (12) (27).
R2: sc around (27)
R3: (8 sc, inc) around 3 times (30)
R4–6: sc around (30)
R7: (3 sc, inc) around 6 times (36) – tummy roundness
R8–9: sc around (36)
R10: (4 sc, dec) around 6 times (30)
R11: (3 sc, dec) around 6 times (24)
R12: (2 sc, dec) around 6 times (18) – neck
Stuff body firmly as you go.
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Head (continue – beige)
R13: (sc, inc) around 9 times (27)
R14: (2 sc, inc) around 9 times (36)
R15: (5 sc, inc) around 6 times (42)
R16–19: sc around (42)
Insert safety eyes between R17 and R18, about 6–7 sts apart.
R20: (5 sc, dec) around 6 times (36)
R21: (4 sc, dec) around 6 times (30)
R22: (3 sc, dec) around 6 times (24)
R23: (2 sc, dec) around 6 times (18)
R24: (sc, dec) around 6 times (12)
R25: dec around (6)
Fasten off and close. Finish stuffing so the head is round and slightly larger than the body.
Arms (make 2 – beige)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: (sc, inc) around (9)
R3–4: sc around (9) – little hand
R5: (sc, dec) around (6)
R6–12: sc around (6) – slim arm
Stuff lightly (only the hand and lower part). Flatten the opening and sc across 3 sts to close. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Ears (make 2 – beige)
These ears are large and flat.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) around (24)
R5–6: sc around (24)
Fasten off, leave long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten into a circle. Fold the lower edge slightly to create a soft curve and secure with a few stitches.
Sew ears near the top sides of the head, slightly behind the eye line so they peek out under the bonnet.
Tail (beige)
Tail is a simple cord.
Option 1 – simple chain:
Ch 35–40 (depending on length you like), starting 2nd ch from hook, sl st in each ch back to start. Fasten off.
Option 2 – thicker tail:
R1: 4 sc in MR (4)
R2–16: sc around (4), do not stuff. Fasten off.
Sew tail to center back at lower body level, letting it curve down behind the dress.
Nose & Face Details
Using pink yarn, embroider a small oval nose centered between the eyes, a little lower. Add a short vertical line down and a tiny “V” if you want a simple mouth. You can also lightly blush the cheeks.
Gingham Market Dress
Dress is worked top-down in the round. Gingham look is created by embroidering red stripes afterward on a cream base, to keep the fabric neat and regular.
Use cream for the dress; later we add red.
Bodice & Armholes
R1: Ch 32, join with sl st to form a ring (be careful not to twist). (32)
R2: ch 1, sc around, join (32)
R3: ch 1, (6 sc, inc) around 4 times (36)
R4: ch 1, sc around, join (36)
R5 (armholes):
ch 1, sc 5, ch 4, skip 6 sts (first armhole), sc 10, ch 4, skip 6 sts (second armhole), sc remaining 5 sts, join (28 body sts).
R6: ch 1, sc in each sc and each ch around, join (28)
Skirt
R7: ch 1, (3 sc, inc) around 7 times (35)
R8: ch 1, (4 sc, inc) around 7 times (42)
R9: ch 1, (5 sc, inc) around 7 times (49)
R10–16: ch 1, sc around, join (49)
R17 (hem, FLO): skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st repeat around to create a soft scalloped edge. Fasten off and weave in end.
The skirt should be full and gathered, reaching just above the shoes.
Puff Sleeves
Use cream.
Attach yarn at the center bottom of an armhole.
R1: ch 1, sc evenly around armhole (about 14–16 sts), join with sl st.
R2: ch 1, (sc, inc) around (about 21–24 sts, doesn’t need to be exact) – puff.
R3: ch 1, (2 sc, dec) around until snug around arm, join.
Fasten off. Repeat for second sleeve. Slide the sleeves so they sit nicely on the upper arm, puffed at the top.
Gingham Embroidery
With red yarn and tapestry needle, embroider vertical and horizontal straight lines over the skirt to form a grid:
- Work vertical lines every 2–3 sts around the skirt.
- Add horizontal lines every 2–3 rounds.
Keep the pattern even so it reads as red-and-cream checks. You can also add a couple of vertical/horizontal lines on the bodice front for continuity.
Bonnet
Use cream.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) around (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) around (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) around (36)
R7–8: sc around (36) – bonnet sides
Brim:
R9 (FLO): (5 sc, inc) around (42)
R10: (6 sc, inc) around (48)
R11: sc around (48), sl st to join. Fasten off.
Bonnet Ties:
Attach cream yarn at one lower front corner. Ch 40, fasten off. Repeat on the other side. Knot the ends.
Place bonnet so it frames the face and ears; ties are brought under the chin and tied in a bow.
Shoes – Red Mary Janes (make 2)
Use red.
R1: Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch; continue on other side of chain, 4 sc, 2 sc in last ch (13).
R2: inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc (20).
R3: sc around (20).
R4 (BLO): sc around (20) – sole edge.
R5: sc around (20).
R6: sc 7, (dec) 3 times, sc to end (17).
R7: sc around (17), sl st to join.
Strap: join red yarn at one side, ch 10, sl st to opposite side, fasten off and weave in.
Slip shoes on feet; they should fit snugly with a visible instep opening and strap.
Mesh Market Bag
Use cream.
Base:
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
Sides (mesh):
R4: ch 3, skip 1 st, sc in next st repeat around. Adjust at the end if needed to maintain pattern.
R5–7: ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space around – open mesh.
R8: ch 1, sc around placing 2 sc in each ch-3 space and 1 sc in each sc (approx. 27–30 sts).
Handle:
R9: sc 3, ch 22, skip next 8–10 sts, sc to end (back to first side).
R10: sc across, working 1 sc in each ch of handle as you go.
Fasten off and weave in. Bag should be slightly taller than the cheese and baguette.
Mini Baguette
Use light tan.
R1: 5 sc in MR (5)
R2: (sc, inc) around (7)
R3–7: sc around (7)
R8: (sc, dec) around (5)
Stuff firmly, shape into a slim loaf. Stitch closed. With slightly darker tan, embroider diagonal lines across the top for scoring marks.
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Cheese Wedge
Use yellow.
R1: Ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch (2). Turn.
R2: ch 1, sc2 (2). Turn.
R3: ch 1, inc, sc (3). Turn.
R4: ch 1, inc, sc 2 (4). Turn.
R5: ch 1, sc across (4).
Fasten off, weave yarn through one long side, fold to form a wedge and sew closed. Add a couple of small French-knot “holes” with yellow or a slightly darker shade if you like.
Place baguette and cheese inside the mesh bag so they peek out like in the photo.
Assembly
- Attach Arms
- Sew arms on either side of the body at the level of R12 (just below the neck), angled slightly forward so the mouse can hold the bag handle naturally.
- Attach Ears & Tail
- Sew ears firmly where you pinned them earlier.
- Attach tail to the back, centered between the legs.
- Dress & Shoes
- Slide the dress on from the feet up, gently pulling arms through the armholes.
- Adjust puff sleeves so they sit over the upper arms.
- Put on the shoes and close the straps.
- Bonnet & Bag
- Place bonnet over the head, ears tucked comfortably under the brim. Tie the cream cords in a soft bow under the chin.
- Position the bag handle over one wrist or elbow and secure with a few stitches if needed. Arrange baguette and cheese so they’re visible.
Finishing Touches
- Add a tiny hint of pink blush to the cheeks to match the pink nose.
- Check that the gingham lines on the dress are straight and even.
- Adjust the tilt of the bonnet and the bend of the ears to give your Cheese Market Mouse its own personality.
Your Cheese Market Mouse is now ready for a cozy trip to the farmer’s market, complete with her baguette and cheese-filled mesh bag.
