Free Amigurumi Mouse Pattern: How to Crochet Milly the Mouse

My dearest creator,

Welcome. There is a unique magic in our craft, is there not? It is a quiet alchemy, turning simple strands of yarn into a creation with a soul. With every loop of the hook, we pour a little of ourselves into our work, and in return, it gives us a story to share. Today, we tell a story of gentle innocence and timeless charm as we bring little Milly the Mouse to life.

This is more than a pattern; it is an invitation to create an heirloom. Imagine this sweet mouse, perched on a nursery shelf or clutched in the hand of a child, a soft, handmade guardian of happy dreams. Let us begin this journey together.

Warmly,
Patricia

🎨 The Artisan's Vision: Why This Project is Special

Milly the Mouse is a study in sweetness. Her design balances classic amigurumi shaping with charming details that truly set her apart. The oversized bow gives her a touch of playful elegance, while her scalloped skirt and gentle expression speak of storybook innocence. This project is a chance to create a piece that feels both classic and full of personality—a true testament to the love that is woven into every handmade object.

✨ Skills You'll Master (And Why They Matter)

With every creation, we not only give life to a new character, but we also refine our own artistry. With Milly, you will practice:

• Advanced Shaping: Creating a defined snout, pear-shaped body, and structured bow hones your ability to control form.
• Working in Front/Back Loops: This technique is key for creating seamless clothing like Milly's skirt, adding a professional touch to your work.
• Detailed Assembly & Embellishment: The precise placement of features and the addition of delicate embroidery are what elevate a project from a simple toy to a true work of art.

🧶 The Alchemist's Trove: Materials & Tools

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Aran/10-ply) cotton or cotton-blend yarn. A smooth yarn is best for stitch definition.
  • Soft White (approx. 80g)
  • Pastel Pink (approx. 40g)
  • Heather Grey (approx. 30g)
• Crochet Hook: 3.0mm, or size appropriate for your yarn to create a tight fabric.
• Safety Eyes: 10mm black safety eyes.
• Embroidery Thread: A small amount of black thread for facial details.
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill.
• Tapestry Needle: For assembly and weaving in ends.
• Scissors and a Stitch Marker.

💡 The Language of the Craft: Stitches & Abbreviations

This pattern is written in standard US crochet terminology.

• MR: Magic Ring
• ch: Chain
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• sc: Single Crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: Invisible Decrease (insert hook into front loop of next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops)
• hdc: Half Double Crochet
• dc: Double Crochet
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• FLO: Front Loop Only
• [...]: Repeat instructions in brackets for the specified number of times.
• (...): Total number of stitches at the end of the round.

💡 The Artisan's Advisor: Pro Tips & FAQs

How do I get the eyelashes just right?▼

The secret is subtlety. Use a single strand of black embroidery thread (standard floss has six strands, so you'll need to separate them). Create two small, gentle curves over the top of each safety eye. I recommend inserting the eyes but not fastening the backs until you are perfectly happy with your embroidery. It gives you the freedom to adjust as needed!

What's the best way to attach the bow?▼

A prominent bow needs a firm foundation. Once you've assembled the bow itself, position it on the head—I find just in front of the center top is loveliest. Use the long yarn tail from the bow's center wrap to sew it securely to the head. Pass the needle through the bow and then through several stitches on the head, pulling snugly. Repeat this 4-5 times in different spots under the bow to ensure it doesn't wobble.

My stuffing is lumpy. How can I fix this?▼

Ah, the art of stuffing! The key is to add small amounts of fiberfill at a time, teasing the clumps apart with your fingers before you insert them. Use the end of your hook or a stuffing tool to guide the fill into all the curves, especially in the snout and limbs. Add more stuffing than you think you need, as it will compact over time. A firmly stuffed amigurumi holds its shape beautifully.

The full, step-by-step pattern begins below.

📖 Woven into Being: The Complete Milly the Mouse Pattern

Head

Using Soft White yarn.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)

Rnd 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 8: [Sc 6, inc] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 9-16: Sc in each stitch around (8 rounds). (48)

Rnd 17: [Sc 6, dec] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 18: [Sc 5, dec] 6 times. (36)

Place safety eyes between Rnds 14 and 15, about 8 stitches apart. Begin to stuff the head firmly.

Rnd 19: [Sc 4, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 20: [Sc 3, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 21: [Sc 2, dec] 6 times. (18)

Finish stuffing the head firmly.

Rnd 22: [Sc 1, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 23: [Dec] 6 times. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in the end.

Ears (Make 2)

Make two pieces for each ear: one outer, one inner.

Outer Ear (Soft White):
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] 6 times. (30)
Fasten off, weave in end.

Inner Ear (Pastel Pink):
Repeat Rnds 1-4 of the Outer Ear pattern. At the end of Rnd 4, you will have 24 stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Place the pink inner ear on top of the white outer ear. Use the pink tail to sew them together around the edge. Fold the completed ear in half at the bottom and make a few stitches to hold the fold. This gives the ear its cupped shape. Leave a long white tail for attaching to the head.

Body

Start with Heather Grey yarn for the top.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)

Rnd 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 7-10: Sc in each stitch around (4 rounds). (36)

Rnd 11: [Sc 4, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 12: Sc in each stitch around. (30)

Rnd 13: BLO, sc in each stitch around. (30)

This back loop round creates the edge for the skirt. Do not change color yet.

Rnd 14: [Sc 3, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 15-16: Sc in each stitch around (2 rounds). (24)

Stuff the body firmly. Fasten off Heather Grey yarn, leaving a very long tail for sewing the body to the head.

Skirt

Join Pastel Pink yarn to any of the free front loops from Rnd 12 of the body.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, [sc 4, inc] in FLO around. (36)

Rnd 2-3: Hdc in each stitch around (2 rounds). (36)

Rnd 4: [Dc inc, dc 2] 12 times. (48)

Rnd 5: To create the scallop, *skip 1 stitch, 5 dc in next stitch, skip 1 stitch, sl st in next*. Repeat from * around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Pastel Pink yarn for the hands.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)

Rnd 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: Sc in each stitch around. (12)

Change to Soft White yarn.

Rnd 4: [Sc 2, dec] 3 times. (9)

Stuff the hand part lightly. Do not stuff the rest of the arm.

Rnd 5-11: Sc in each stitch around (7 rounds). (9)

Flatten the open end and sc across to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Legs & Shoes (Make 2)

Start with Pastel Pink yarn for the shoes.

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)

Rnd 2: [Inc] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: BLO, sc in each stitch around. (18)

Change to Soft White yarn.

Rnd 5: Sc in each stitch around. (18)

Rnd 6: [Sc 1, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 7-10: Sc in each stitch around (4 rounds). (12)

Stuff firmly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Bow

Using Heather Grey yarn.

Main Bow Piece:
Row 1: Ch 41. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. (40)
Row 2-10: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across (9 rows). (40)
Fasten off. Fold the resulting rectangle in half and sl st or sew the short ends together to form a tube. Turn it right-side out.

Center Wrap:
Row 1: Ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (6)
Row 2-4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (6)
Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for assembly. Pinch the center of the main bow piece together and wrap this small rectangle around it tightly. Use the long tail to sew the wrap closed and then to attach the bow to the head.

Tail, Nose, & Heart

Tail (Pastel Pink):
Rnd 1: Start 5 sc in a MR. (5)
Rnd 2-20: Sc in each stitch around (19 rounds). (5)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.

Nose (Pastel Pink):
Using pink yarn, embroider a small, triangular nose centered above the magic ring of the head. Make several passes to build up a nice, solid shape.

Heart Appliqué (Pastel Pink):
Rnd 1: In a MR, ch 2, make 3 dc, 3 hdc, ch 1, 1 dc (this is the point of the heart), ch 1, 3 hdc, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st into the ring. Pull the ring tight to form the heart. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

🧵 The Final Flourish: Assembly & Embellishment

This is where the true alchemy happens, my dear creator. Take your time and enjoy bringing your creation to life.

1. Head to Body: Use the long grey tail from the body to sew the head securely onto the body opening. Add a little more stuffing into the neck area just before you close the final gap for stability.
2. Ears: Pin the ears to the top of the head, positioning them wide apart, around Rnds 6-12 from the center. Sew them firmly in place.
3. Legs: Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, positioning them so Milly can sit stably.
4. Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck seam.
5. Tail: Attach the tail to the lower back of the body.
6. Facial Details: Embroider the eyelashes, nose (if you haven't already), and a small, curved smile below the nose using black thread.
7. Final Touches: Sew the pink heart appliqué to the center of her grey top. Attach the large grey bow to her head, slightly to one side for a touch of whimsy. Weave in all remaining ends.

"To create something with your own hands is to watch a piece of your heart become tangible. It is a story, a gift, a legacy, all woven from a single thread."

💌 From Patricia's Hook & Heart: A Final Word

And there she is. Our sweet Milly, brought into the world through your care and skill. I hope you have enjoyed this process as much as I have. You have not just followed a pattern; you have been an alchemist, a storyteller, a creator. Your Milly is unique, infused with your personal touch, and she is a beautiful testament to your artistry.

Cherish this little creation, or gift it to someone who will. The love woven into its stitches is a powerful and enduring magic. I am so proud to have been a part of your creative journey today.