Fiona Goble's knitted animals have proven hugely popular at the Handmade Fair over the last couple of years and looking at this cute cozy, it's no wonder why! Designed to fit a 2-cup teapot and perfect for keeping your brew nice and warm, this is one mouse that you do want in your kitchen.
How to knit a mouse tea cozy by Fiona Goble
Why would you want to knit a plain old tea cozy when you can whip up a tea cozy mouse instead? I promise it won’t make you scream and shout, munch its way through the breakfast cereal—or leave behind any unpleasant telltale signs. I’ve knitted this cozy in a beautiful pale gray with just a hint of pink, but you can make your mouse dark gray, black, white, or brown—or any fantasy mouse colour you love.
Yarn and Materials
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere) worsted (Aran) yarn1 x 1¾oz (50g) ball (98yd/90m) in shade 027 Stone (A)
Small amount of pale pink light worsted (DK) yarn (B)
2 x 3⁄8in (8mm) black dome buttons
A handful of 100% polyester toy filling
Black sewing thread
Needles and Equipment
US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles
Yarn sewing needle
Standard sewing needle
Gauge (Tension)
20 sts and 27 rows in stockinette (stocking) stitch to a 4-in (10-cm) square on US 7 (4.5mm) needles, using A.
Measurements
The cozy will fit a 2-cup teapot that is 4.5in (11cm) tall. The actual cozy is 4¼ in (10.5cm) tall and has a circumference of 9½ in (24cm).
To Make Cozy
Main piece
(Make 2)
Cast on 24 sts in A.
Row 1: Knit.
Beg with a k row, work 4 rows in st st.
Row 6: K2, [m1, k4] 5 times, m1, k2. (30 sts) Beg with a p row, work 21 rows in st st.
Row 28: K1, [sl2, k1, p2sso, k2] 5 times, sl2, k1, p2sso, k1. (18 sts)
Row 29: Purl.
Row 30: [Sl2, k1, p2sso] to end. (6 sts) Break yarn, thread through rem sts, pull firmly, and secure.
Head
Cast on 34 sts in A.
Beg with a k row, work 2 rows in st st.
Row 3: K6, ssk, k1, k2tog, k12, ssk, k1, k2tog, k6. (30 sts)
Row 4 and every alt row: Purl.
Row 5: K5, ssk, k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1, k2tog, k5. (26 sts)
Row 7: K4, ssk, k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1, k2tog, k4. (22 sts)
Row 9: K3, ssk, k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1, k2tog, k3. (18 sts)
Row 11: K2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2. (14 sts)
Row 13: K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. (10 sts)
Row 15: Ssk, k1, k2tog, ssk, k1, k2tog. (6 sts)
Do not work a purl row after row 15.Break yarn, thread through rem sts, pull firmly, and secure.
Ear
(Make 2)
Cast on 3 sts in A.
Row 1: [Inc] 3 times. (6 sts)
Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st st.
Row 5: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)
Row 6: [P2tog] twice. (2 sts)
Row 7: [Inc] twice. (4 sts)
Row 8: [Inc pwise, p1] twice. (6 sts) Beg with a k row, work 3 rows in st st.
Row 12: [P2tog] 3 times. (3 sts) Bind (cast) off .
Tail
Cast on 5 sts in B.
Beg with a k row, work 60 rows in st st.
Row 61: Ssk, k1, k2tog. (3 sts)
Break yarn, thread through rem sts pull firmly, and secure.
To make up
Thread one of the yarn tails at the top of one of the main cozy pieces though the rem sts of both pieces. Pull up tightly and secure. Sew down 2½in (6cm) at the top of both sides with flat stitch and sew up ½in (1.5cm) at the bottom of both sides, so that you leave a space for the handle and spout.
Sew the lower seam of the head using mattress stitch, stuff, then sew the eyes in place. Oversew the head in position.
Fold the ear pieces so the right sides are on the inside and oversew the curved edges, leaving the lower edge open. Turn the right way out and sew in place using the photograph as a guide.
Using B, work a coil of chain stitches for the nose. Join the long seam of the tail and stitch in place. Weave in all loose ends.
This project is taken from Knitted Animal Cozies by Fiona Goble.
If you make this knitted mouse tea cozy, then be sure to share it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using tag #MAKEetc - we'd love to see how you get on!