Intro

Meet the Cheese Market Mouse: a soft gray amigurumi mouse wearing a moss-green textured cardigan with tiny brown buttons, a mustard pleated skirt, dark flats, and a mustard newsboy cap. Accessories include a “FARMERS’ MARKET” tote, a mini wooden-style crate with three cheeses (brie, blue, cheddar), and a small $1 chalkboard sign.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

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Materials

• Worsted (Category 4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn:
  1. MC (Mouse): light gray, 120 g
  2. A (Inner ear & muzzle tip): warm beige, scraps
  3. B (Cardigan + leaves): moss green, 40 g
  4. C (Skirt & cap): mustard, 45 g
  5. D (Shoes & buttons): dark brown, 25 g
  6. E (Cheeses): off-white (brie), cream with teal specks (blue), soft orange (cheddar), small amounts
  7. F (Bag & crate & sign frame): natural straw/wheat, 35 g
  8. G (Lettering & sign): black, small amount
• Crochet hooks: 3.0 mm for amigurumi parts; 3.25–3.5 mm for clothing/accessories (for drape)
• 9 mm safety eyes
• Stuffing (polyester fiberfill)
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors
• Thin black thread for whiskers (or fishing line)
• Small piece of plastic canvas or cardboard for tote base (optional)
• Small wooden bead or felt scrap for sign post (optional)

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Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR – magic ring
• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase: 2 sc in same st
• dec – invisible decrease (front loops)
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• BLO / FLO – back/front loop only
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• rep – repeat
• fo – fasten off

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Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge (3.0 mm, sc spiral): ~5.5–6 sts per 1″ (2.5 cm).
• Final height: ~10–11″ (25–28 cm) standing, ear to toe.
  Tight fabric is key so stuffing doesn’t show.

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Construction Overview

Mouse parts are made separately (head, ears, body, arms, legs/feet, tail) in spirals and sewn. Clothing is removable: pleated skirt worked flat and seamed; cardigan worked flat with textured clusters and sewn at shoulders; newsboy cap in the round with a small brim. Accessories are quick: canvas-style tote with printed-look letters (duplicate stitch or surface crochet), simple crate, three cheeses, and a chalkboard sign.

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Mouse Pattern (MC, 3.0 mm)

Head

1. MR 6 sc (6)
2. inc around (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
   7–12. sc around (36)
7. (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
   14–16. sc around (42)
8. (5 sc, dec) ×6 (36)
9. (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
10. (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24) — insert 9 mm eyes between rnds 12–13, 9 sts apart.
11. (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18) — begin stuffing firmly, round cheeks slightly.
12. (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
13. dec around (6) — fo, close.

Nose: With a soft pink (or beige A), satin stitch a tiny oval nose centered 1 st below the eye line; add a single vertical stitch for a subtle mouth.
Whiskers: Thread two strands of thin black thread through each side and knot inside.

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Ears (make 2)

Outer (MC)

1. MR 6 sc (6)
2. inc around (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. sc around (24) — fo.

Inner (A)
Repeat rnds 1–4 only to 18 sts; fo.
Place inner onto outer (WS touching). Whip stitch around, slightly cupping ear. Leave long tail to sew. Pinch a 1/2″ fold at base and stitch to shape.

Body

1. MR 6 sc (6)
2. inc around (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
   7–10. sc around (36)
7. (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
   12–13. sc around (30)
8. (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
9. (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18) — neck; stuff firmly shaping a gentle pear. Fo, leave long tail.

Arms (make 2)

1. MR 6 sc (6)
2. (sc, inc) ×3 (9)
   3–6. sc around (9)
3. (2 sc, dec) ×2, sc 1 (7)
   8–14. sc around (7) — stuff lightly only at the paw.
   Flatten last rnd and sc through both layers 3–4 sts to close. Fo long tails.

Legs & Shoes (D for shoe, then MC)

Shoe + Sole (D)

1. ch 6; sc in 2nd ch, sc 3, 3 sc in last; rotate, sc 3, inc at end (12)
2. inc, sc 3, inc×3, sc 3, inc×2 (18)
3. BLO sc around (18)
4. sc around (18)
5. sc 5, (dec, sc) ×3, sc 2 (15)
6. sc 4, dec ×3, sc 5 (12) — shoe upper formed.

Switch to MC for leg
7. sc around (12)
8–13. sc around (12)
14. (3 sc, inc) ×3 (15) — calf
15–18. sc around (15) — stuff foot firmly, leg moderately.
Fo leaving long tails.

Strap (D): Join to outer side, ch 8–10, sl st to inner side for a flat shoe strap. Weave ends.

Tail (MC)

1. ch 40.
2. Sl st back along chain for a cord. Fo leaving long tail for sewing.

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Assembly (Base Doll)

• Ears: Sew on top of head with a mild outward flare; bases ~1″ (2.5 cm) apart.
• Head to Body: Pin and sew through both neck openings; keep head slightly forward.
• Arms: Attach at round where neck widens (shoulder line), letting hands hang just above skirt line.
• Legs: Sew to underside so feet point forward and stand flat.
• Tail: Attach low back center, angling slightly to the side.

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Clothing

Mustard Pleated Skirt (C, 3.25–3.5 mm)

Skirt sits high-waisted and hits mid-calf with small vertical pleat ridges.

Waistband

1. ch 54; join to form a ring carefully (54) — fits snugly but stretchable.
2. Rnd 1: sc around (54).
3. Rnd 2 (pleat setup): FLO sc 1, BLO sc 1 around (54).
4. Rnd 3: In FLO stitches only, hdc 2; in BLO stitches, sc 1 — this pushes little ribs. (54)
   5–10. Rnd: Rep Rnd 3 for length; optionally increase 6 sts evenly in Rnds 6 and 8 to flare slightly (to 66).
5. Hem: sc around evenly; fo and weave in.

Note: If your gauge is tighter/looser, adjust initial chain to match mouse waist (~7.5–8″ perimeter when slightly stretched).

Moss-Green Cardigan (B, 3.25–3.5 mm)

A cropped cardigan with textured dots and four tiny brown “buttons” (embroidered or crocheted).

Back

1. ch 28; Row 1: sc in 2nd ch and across (27).
2. Row 2: [sc, ch 1, sk 1] across ending with sc — linen texture (keeps cardigan light).
   3–14. Rep Row 2 (14 rows total). Fo.

Left Front

1. ch 14; work as for back in linen texture for 14 rows. Fo.

Right Front
Mirror left front.

Sleeves (make 2)

1. ch 18; Row 1: sc across (17).
   2–10: Linen texture (Row 2 repeat).
   11: Row for wrist: sc evenly across, dec 2 sts (to 15).
   Fo.

Join & Collar

• Seam shoulders (5 sts each side).
• Attach yarn at right front edge; sc around neckline, working (sc, ch 1) in corners to prevent puckering.
• Work 2 more rows of sc for a tiny standing collar; fo.

Side & Sleeves

• Seam sides leaving armholes.
• Set in sleeves with a few stitches dropped lower in front to mimic the relaxed shoulder slope.
• Add four tiny “buttons” with D (brown) as French knots on right front; on the left front, embroider matching “buttonholes” (short vertical bars) or leave open. Cardigan should close at center front but is typically worn open in the photo, so buttons are decorative.

Mustard Newsboy Cap (C, 3.0 mm)

1. MR 6 sc (6)
2. inc around (12)
3. (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5. (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6. (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
7. sc around (36)
8. sc around (36)
9. Brim setup: sc 12, turn (work flat across next 12 sts).
10. Row 1: ch 1, sc 12; turn.
11. Row 2: ch 1, dec, sc 8, dec (10); turn.
12. Row 3: ch 1, dec, sc 6, dec (8); fo.
    Pick up C along hat edge and sc around entire opening to clean. Add a faint ridge above brim using surface sl sts to suggest a band.

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Accessories

“FARMERS’ MARKET” Tote (F + G, 3.5 mm)

Bag Body

1. ch 20; Row 1: sc in 2nd ch and across (19).
   2–24. Rows: sc across (19).
   Fold panel to form a rectangle. Seam sides with sl sts.

Base (optional): Cut a piece of plastic canvas/card to fit and insert.

Handles

• Ch 36; sl st to a top corner; sc across top edge while catching chain to secure; repeat for second handle spaced evenly. Fo.

Lettering

• With G (black), use surface backstitch or duplicate stitch to embroider FARMERS’ MARKET in two lines, centered.

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Cheese Crate (F, 3.0 mm)

Base

1. ch 16; sc in 2nd ch and across (15).
   2–4. sc rows to form a rectangle; fo.

Sides (make 2 long + 2 short)

• Long: ch 16; sc back (15).
• Short: ch 8; sc back (7).
  Whip stitch around base like a low crate. Add a second slat to each long side: ch 16; sl st across to attach as an upper rail.

Cheeses (E, 3.0 mm)

Brie Wedge (off-white)

1. MR 3 sc (3)
2. (inc, sc) ×1, inc (5)
3. sc around (5)
4. (inc, sc) ×2, inc (8)
   5–7. sc around (8)
5. (sc, dec) ×2, sc 2 (6) — lightly stuff, fo.
   Edge: Surface sl st a thin “rind” line around the top.

Blue Cheese (cream + teal flecks)
Follow Brie steps to rnd 7 in cream.

• Before closing, embroider tiny teal French knots randomly. Close as above.

Cheddar (soft orange)

1. MR 4 sc (4);
2. (sc, inc) ×2 (6)
3. sc around (6)
4. (2 sc, inc) ×2 (8)
   5–7. sc around (8) — fo, stuff lightly.
   Use light brown to embroider a few dotted texture holes.

Arrange the three cheeses on the crate’s base.

$1 Chalkboard Sign (G & F)

• Board: With G (black), ch 10; sc back (9). Work 3–4 rows to form a small rectangle; edge with F (wheat) sl sts for a wooden frame.
• Post: ch 10 with F; sl st back for a firm strip; sew to back of board.
• Embroider $1 in white or light yarn.

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Dressing & Final Assembly

1. Slip the skirt up from feet; waistband sits at the mouse’s narrowest point.
2. Put on the cardigan; tug sleeves slightly past the wrists for the cozy look.
3. Seat the cap low on the forehead with the brim centered; add a tiny hidden stitch to keep it in place if the doll will be photographed or handled.
4. Hang the tote from the mouse’s right shoulder.
5. Place the crate with three cheeses near the left side of the figure.
6. Stand the $1 sign behind or to the side of the crate.
7. Trim whiskers to equal length and bend slightly outward.

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Finishing & Customization

• Buttons: If you prefer functional buttons, crochet four 3-st bobbles in D and sew down; add tiny loop closures on the opposite front.
• Pleats deeper? Work the skirt with alternating BLO dc columns for sharper ridges.
• Shoes: Add a small dc “bow” to the strap: ch 5, 2 dc, ch 4, sl st in first ch; sew to strap center.
• Tote lining: Add a lightweight fabric rectangle as a liner to help the bag hold shape.
• Photo styling: Place on a wooden table, with soft window light from the side for gentle shadows.

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Pattern Recap

• Body: Gray mouse with round head, large rounded ears (beige inner), black 9 mm eyes, pink oval nose, thread whiskers, long cord tail.
• Outfit: Moss-green linen-texture cardigan with four brown buttons, mustard pleated skirt at high waist, dark brown flats with straps, mustard newsboy cap with curved brim.
• Props: Natural-tone tote with “FARMERS’ MARKET” lettering, low crate holding brie, blue, and cheddar wedges, plus a small black chalkboard sign marked $1.

Make your Cheese Market Mouse and share it with cozy cottage vibes!