Knitting Tutorial: Jerry Mouse in Denim Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

This friendly knitted garden mouse is worked as a soft amigurumi-style toy with a round brown head, oversized pink-lined ears, oval white eyes, a cream muzzle, a yellow shirt, blue denim overalls, brown shoes, tiny bee accents, a vegetable basket, a strawberry crossbody bag, a watering can, and a flower-trimmed straw hat. The finished piece is designed to sit upright on a bench or shelf with charming handmade details.

 

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

Finished Size, Gauge, and Construction Notes

The finished mouse measures about 12 inches tall from shoe sole to top of head tuft when worked with DK weight yarn and US 3 needles. The head is intentionally oversized, about 4.5 inches wide, while the body is shorter and rounded, matching the cute proportions shown in the reference photo.

This pattern is written for knitting in the round on double-pointed needles or a long circular needle using magic loop. Small flat pieces, such as ear linings, pocket patches, leaves, and embroidered vegetables, are worked separately and sewn on.

• Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate.
• Knitting style: mostly stockinette in the round.
• Finished height: approximately 12 inches.
• Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette with stuffing firm but not stretched.
• Main texture: smooth, dense toy knitting with no visible stuffing gaps.
• Seam allowance: use mattress stitch or whipstitch with matching yarn.

For a toy that holds its shape, knit firmly. If your fabric has holes, go down one needle size. Stuff gradually and firmly, especially in the head, shoes, muzzle, and ears, so the toy keeps the rounded cartoon-like shape.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in warm medium brown for head, arms, legs, outer ears, and shoes.
• DK weight yarn in cream beige for muzzle, cheeks, inner face patches, and shoe trim.
• DK weight yarn in pale pink for inner ears and tongue.
• DK weight yarn in white for eyes.
• DK weight yarn in black for pupils, nose, mouth, whiskers, and eyebrow embroidery.
• DK weight yarn in yellow for short-sleeved shirt and bee bodies.
• DK weight yarn in denim blue for overalls, shoulder straps, and hat ribbon.
• DK weight yarn in tan for basket, straw hat, bag strap, and small garden bag.
• DK weight yarn in green, orange, red, purple, gray, and white for vegetables, flowers, bees, and tools.
• US 3 knitting needles, double-pointed needles, or circular needle for magic loop.
• Small amount of polyester fiberfill.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, and scissors.
• Two small tan buttons for overall bib straps and two tiny tan buttons for shoe sides, optional.
• Black embroidery thread or thin yarn for whiskers, smile line, eyebrows, and eye highlights.

Abbreviations in US Knitting Terms

• k = knit.
• p = purl.
• st or sts = stitch or stitches.
• rnd = round.
• CO = cast on.
• BO = bind off.
• kfb = knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk = slip, slip, knit.
• sl = slip stitch purlwise.
• rep = repeat.
• MC = main color.

Main Head

The head is a large rounded ball with a slightly flattened lower front where the muzzle is attached. Work in warm brown yarn. Keep the fabric dense and smooth because this area is the main focal point of the toy.

1. With brown yarn, CO 8 sts. Divide over needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: k1, kfb; rep around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: k2, kfb; rep around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: k3, kfb; rep around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: k all sts.
11. Rnd 10: k4, kfb; rep around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: k all sts.
13. Rnd 12: k5, kfb; rep around. 56 sts.
14. Rnd 13: k all sts.
15. Rnd 14: k6, kfb; rep around. 64 sts.
16. Rnds 15-30: k all sts.
17. Rnd 31: k6, k2tog; rep around. 56 sts.
18. Rnd 32: k all sts.
19. Rnd 33: k5, k2tog; rep around. 48 sts.
20. Rnd 34: k all sts.
21. Rnd 35: k4, k2tog; rep around. 40 sts.
22. Begin stuffing firmly, shaping the head into a round ball with a gently full forehead.
23. Rnd 36: k3, k2tog; rep around. 32 sts.
24. Rnd 37: k2, k2tog; rep around. 24 sts.
25. Add more stuffing. Push stuffing toward the sides to create the wide cheeky head shape.
26. Rnd 38: k1, k2tog; rep around. 16 sts.
27. Rnd 39: k2tog around. 8 sts.
28. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

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Face Muzzle and Cheeks

The muzzle is a pale cream oval that sits on the lower center of the face. It should project slightly forward. Two small rounded cheek pads are placed side by side to create the soft mouse expression.

Center Muzzle Oval

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
7. Rows 6-12: work stockinette, beginning with a p row.
8. Row 13: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
9. Row 14: p all sts.
10. Row 15: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
11. BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Two Rounded Cheek Pads

1. Make 2. With cream yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k4, kfb. 8 sts.
5. Rows 4-8: stockinette.
6. Row 9: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
7. BO and leave a tail.

Sew the larger muzzle oval centered on the lower half of the head. Lightly stuff underneath before closing the final inch. Sew the two cheek pads horizontally over the lower half of the muzzle so they form a soft figure-eight shape.

Eyes, Pupils, Nose, Mouth, and Tongue

The eyes are tall white ovals placed close together above the muzzle. The black pupils are vertical ovals attached near the lower inner side of each white eye, giving the mouse a bright upward-looking expression.

White Eye Ovals

1. Make 2. With white yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k4, kfb. 8 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Rows 5-12: stockinette.
7. Row 13: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
8. Row 14: p all sts.
9. Row 15: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
10. BO and leave a sewing tail.

Black Pupils

1. Make 2. With black yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: work stockinette.
3. Row 7: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
4. BO and sew vertically onto the lower inner area of each white eye.

Nose and Mouth

• With black yarn, CO 6 sts. Work 4 rows in stockinette. BO. Sew into a small rounded triangle at the top center of the muzzle.
• Embroider a short vertical black line from the nose downward.
• Embroider a curved open smile below the muzzle using black yarn.
• With pink yarn, CO 5 sts. Work 5 rows in stockinette. BO. Round the bottom with sewing and attach inside the smile as a small tongue.

Use black embroidery yarn to add three fine whiskers on each side. Place them through the muzzle area and stretch them outward toward the cheeks. Add two curved eyebrows above the eyes using backstitch.

Large Round Ears

The ears are oversized and circular, with brown outer backs and pink inner panels. They are placed high on both sides of the head and angled slightly outward. This angle is important because it gives the toy the same playful garden character shown in the photo.

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Outer Ear Pieces

1. Make 2. With brown yarn, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb in each st. 16 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb; rep across. 24 sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Row 7: k2, kfb; rep across. 32 sts.
9. Rows 8-18: stockinette.
10. Row 19: k2, k2tog; rep across. 24 sts.
11. Row 20: p all sts.
12. Row 21: k1, k2tog; rep across. 16 sts.
13. Row 22: p all sts.
14. Row 23: k2tog across. 8 sts.
15. Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, and pull into a circle.

Inner Pink Ear Pieces

1. Make 2. With pink yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb in each st. 12 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb; rep across. 18 sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Row 7: k2, kfb; rep across. 24 sts.
9. Rows 8-16: stockinette.
10. Row 17: k2, k2tog; rep across. 18 sts.
11. Row 18: p all sts.
12. Row 19: k1, k2tog; rep across. 12 sts.
13. Row 20: p all sts.
14. Row 21: k2tog across. 6 sts.
15. Draw closed and sew one pink piece centered onto each brown ear.

Pin the ears to the head between rounds 14 and 25 of the head, one on each side. Tilt the lower edge slightly forward and the upper edge slightly back. Sew securely around the base twice so the ears stand out from the head.

Head Tuft

• Cut three strands of brown yarn, each 5 inches long.
• Fold each strand in half and pull through the top center of the head with a crochet hook or tapestry needle.
• Knot at the base and trim the ends to about 1 inch.
• Separate the strands slightly so they look like three soft knitted sprigs.

Body

The body is smaller than the head and shaped like a rounded pear. The yellow shirt is knitted first as the top body color, then the denim overalls cover the lower body and front bib.

1. With yellow yarn, CO 24 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: k3, kfb; rep around. 30 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: k4, kfb; rep around. 36 sts.
6. Rnds 5-10: k all sts.
7. Change to denim blue yarn.
8. Rnd 11: k all sts.
9. Rnd 12: k5, kfb; rep around. 42 sts.
10. Rnds 13-24: k all sts.
11. Rnd 25: k5, k2tog; rep around. 36 sts.
12. Rnd 26: k all sts.
13. Rnd 27: k4, k2tog; rep around. 30 sts.
14. Rnd 28: k3, k2tog; rep around. 24 sts.
15. Stuff body firmly, keeping the base rounded and the neck narrow.
16. Rnd 29: k2, k2tog; rep around. 18 sts.
17. Rnd 30: k1, k2tog; rep around. 12 sts.
18. BO, leaving a long tail for sewing the head to the body.

Overall Bib, Front Pocket, and Straps

The overalls have a blue bib on the chest, two straps over the shoulders, tan buttons, and embroidered garden vegetables on the front. The bib is sewn on top of the yellow shirt area.

Front Bib

1. With denim blue yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: k all sts for a garter edge.
3. Rows 3-12: stockinette, beginning with a knit row.
4. Row 13: k2tog, k10, ssk. 12 sts.
5. Row 14: p all sts.
6. Row 15: k all sts.
7. BO and sew centered on the front upper body.

Front Pocket

1. With denim blue yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: k all sts.
3. Rows 3-7: stockinette.
4. BO and sew three sides to the center of the bib, leaving the top edge open.

Shoulder Straps

1. Make 2. With denim blue yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row until each strap measures 4.25 inches.
3. BO and sew from the top of the bib over each shoulder to the back of the overalls.
4. Sew one small tan button at the front end of each strap.

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Vegetable Embroidery on Overalls

• Use orange yarn to embroider two carrot shapes on the center pocket.
• Add small green leaves above each carrot with straight stitches.
• Use red and purple yarn to make small round radishes along the lower front.
• Add tiny green stems above each radish.
• Keep the embroidery flat so the bib remains smooth.

Arms and Hands

The arms are brown and slim, with small mitten-like hands. They should angle outward from the yellow sleeves. The left hand holds the basket, and the right hand hangs open near the side.

1. Make 2. With brown yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-14: k all sts.
3. Rnd 15: k4, kfb, k4, kfb. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 16-19: k all sts.
5. Rnd 20: k2tog around. 6 sts.
6. Stuff lightly. Draw closed and secure.

Thumbs

1. Make 2. With brown yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in stockinette.
3. BO and roll into a small tube.
4. Sew one thumb to the side of each hand.

Yellow Sleeves

1. Make 2. With yellow yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: k all sts.
3. Rows 5-8: stockinette.
4. BO and wrap each sleeve around the upper arm before sewing the arm to the body.

Legs and Shoes

The legs are brown and extend below the blue shorts. The shoes are brown, rounded, and decorated with small green leaf embroidery and tiny red accents on the front.

Legs

1. Make 2. With brown yarn, CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-18: k all sts.
3. Stuff lightly but firmly.
4. BO and leave a long tail for sewing into the lower body.

Rounded Shoes

1. Make 2. With brown yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in each st. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: k3, kfb; rep around. 20 sts.
6. Rnds 5-9: k all sts.
7. Rnd 10: k3, k2tog; rep around. 16 sts.
8. Rnd 11: k all sts.
9. Rnd 12: k2, k2tog; rep around. 12 sts.
10. Stuff firmly, shaping the toe rounded and slightly forward.
11. Rnd 13: k2tog around. 6 sts.
12. Draw closed.

• Embroider a cream line around the shoe opening to imitate the light sole edge.
• Add two small green leaves and one red dot on each shoe front.
• Sew a tiny tan button to the outer side of each shoe if desired.

Shorts Shaping at Lower Overalls

The blue lower body forms the overalls, but adding separate short cuffs makes the piece look closer to the photo. These cuffs sit around the tops of the legs and create the look of short denim pants.

1. Make 2. With denim blue yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: k all sts.
3. Rows 4-8: stockinette.
4. BO and sew each strip into a ring.
5. Slide one cuff around the top of each leg and sew to the bottom of the blue body.

Bee Decorations on the Head

Two tiny bees sit near the upper ears. Each bee has a yellow body with black stripes and pale blue wings. Make them small and light so they do not pull the ears downward.

Bee Body

1. Make 2. With yellow yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: stockinette.
3. BO and roll into a tiny oval.
4. Wrap black yarn twice around the body to create stripes.

Bee Wings

1. Make 4. With pale blue yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: k all sts.
3. Row 4: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
4. BO and sew two wings to each bee.

Sew one bee just in front of each ear. Angle each bee slightly upward, as if resting near the top of the head.

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Crossbody Strawberry Bag

The small tan crossbody bag hangs on the mouse’s right side and has red strawberry embroidery. The strap crosses diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip.

Bag Body

1. With tan yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: k all sts.
3. Rows 3-12: stockinette.
4. Row 13: k2tog, k10, ssk. 12 sts.
5. Row 14: p all sts.
6. BO.
7. Fold the lower edge up halfway and sew side seams to form a tiny pouch.

Bag Strap

1. With tan yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures 9 inches.
3. BO and sew one end to each upper side of the bag.
4. Place the strap over the left shoulder and let the bag rest at the right hip.

Strawberry Embroidery

• Use red yarn to stitch three small oval strawberries on the bag front.
• Add tiny white seed stitches with white yarn.
• Add green tops with three short straight stitches above each berry.

Garden Basket with Carrots and Trowel

The basket is small, tan, and held beside the mouse. It contains several knitted carrots and a small gray garden trowel. The basket should sit close to the left hand.

Basket Base

1. With tan yarn, CO 18 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: k all sts.
3. Rnd 9: p all sts to create the top rim.
4. Rnd 10: k all sts.
5. BO loosely.
6. Gather the cast-on edge closed with a running stitch to make the basket bottom.

Basket Handle

1. With tan yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row for 5 inches.
3. BO and sew each end to opposite sides of the basket.

Carrots

1. Make 4. With orange yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: k all sts.
3. Rnd 5: k2, k2tog; rep around. 6 sts.
4. Rnd 6: k all sts.
5. Rnd 7: k2tog around. 3 sts.
6. Draw closed. Stuff lightly.
7. For leaves, attach three 2-inch green yarn strands to the wide top and knot securely.

Mini Trowel

1. With gray yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: stockinette.
3. Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
4. BO.
5. With tan yarn, CO 3 sts and knit 8 rows for the handle.
6. Sew handle to blade and place inside basket.

Green Watering Can

The watering can rests on the table near the mouse. It is a separate knitted prop with a rounded body, side handle, top opening, and angled spout.

Can Body

1. With green yarn, CO 20 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: k all sts.
3. Rnd 5: k4, kfb; rep around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 6-13: k all sts.
5. Rnd 14: k4, k2tog; rep around. 20 sts.
6. Rnd 15: p all sts for rim.
7. BO. Stuff lightly so the can is soft but upright.
8. Gather the bottom closed with green yarn.

Spout

1. With green yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: k all sts.
3. Rnd 9: k2tog around. 4 sts.
4. Draw closed and sew the wider end to the side of the can at an upward angle.

Handle

1. With green yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Knit every row for 5 inches.
3. BO and sew as a curved handle from the upper back to the lower back of the can.

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Straw Hat with Blue Ribbon and Daisies

The hat sits beside the mouse in the photo, not on the head. It has a wide brim, shallow crown, blue ribbon, and white daisies with yellow centers.

Hat Crown

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in each st. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: k1, kfb; rep around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: k2, kfb; rep around. 32 sts.
8. Rnds 7-13: k all sts.
9. BO loosely.

Hat Brim

1. With tan yarn, CO 48 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: k all sts.
3. Rnd 4: k5, kfb; rep around. 56 sts.
4. Rnds 5-7: k all sts.
5. Rnd 8: p all sts for a decorative edge.
6. BO loosely and sew the crown centered on the brim.

Blue Ribbon

1. With denim blue yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strip fits around the crown.
3. BO and sew around the base of the crown.
4. For ribbon tails, CO 4 sts and knit 10 rows twice. Sew to one side of the ribbon.

Daisies

• Make 3. For each flower center, use yellow yarn and make 3 small straight stitches in a circle.
• For petals, use white yarn and make 5 looped stitches around the center.
• Sew daisies to the front side of the hat ribbon.

Small Radishes and Extra Garden Embroidery

The photo includes tiny red and purple root vegetables across the lower overalls. These are embroidered rather than knitted separately, keeping the clothing flat and neat.

• For each radish, stitch a tiny oval using red, pink, or purple yarn.
• Add one vertical stitch down the center for shape.
• Add two green leaf stitches at the top.
• Place three radishes across the lower front and one on each side of the overalls.

Facial Placement Guide

Place the eyes first, before sewing permanently. The lower edge of each eye should sit just above the top of the muzzle. The eyes should lean inward slightly. The white ovals should nearly touch at the center.

• The nose sits centered at the upper middle of the cream muzzle.
• The mouth opens directly below the nose line.
• The tongue sits inside the mouth, rounded end downward.
• Whiskers begin near the sides of the muzzle and extend toward the outer face.
• Eyebrows sit high and curved, following the round forehead shape.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the head to the body using the body tail. Add extra stitches around the neck so the large head does not wobble.
2. Sew the ears to the head and reinforce the lower base of each ear.
3. Sew the muzzle, cheeks, eyes, pupils, nose, mouth, and tongue onto the face.
4. Attach arms to the sides of the yellow shirt area. Angle them slightly downward.
5. Attach legs under the blue overall body. Sew shoes to the bottom of the legs.
6. Add the blue short cuffs around the tops of the legs.
7. Sew the bib, pocket, straps, and buttons to the front of the body.
8. Embroider carrots, radishes, strawberries, shoe leaves, eyebrows, and whiskers.
9. Add the bees near the ears and the yarn tuft on top of the head.
10. Place the bag across the body and secure with a few hidden stitches at the shoulder and hip.
11. Sew the basket handle to the left hand so it appears held naturally.
12. Arrange the watering can and hat as separate accessories beside the finished toy.

Tips for Accurate Shape

Use firm stuffing in small amounts rather than pushing in one large piece. This prevents lumps. The head should be round and full, while the body should remain smaller so the toy keeps its sweet character proportions.

The ears should be lightly shaped with your fingers after sewing. If they flop too much, run a second line of stitches around the back edge where each ear meets the head. Do not overstuff the ears, because the photo shows flat rounded ears with a soft knitted edge.

• Keep the head wider than the body.
• Keep the eyes tall and close together.
• Make the muzzle slightly raised.
• Use blue yarn with a denim-like shade for the overalls.
• Use small, neat embroidery for the vegetables.
• Keep accessories lightweight so the toy can sit upright.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After all pieces are attached, check the face from the front. Adjust the whiskers so both sides are even. Add a tiny white stitch on each black pupil if you want a brighter expression. Smooth the muzzle with your fingers and secure any loose yarn ends inside the head.

Care Notes

Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap. Do not soak the toy, especially if buttons or embroidered details are attached. Gently press with a towel and allow it to air dry flat.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is firmly stuffed and round.
• Ears are large, pink-centered, and angled outward.
• Eyes are tall, close together, and securely sewn.
• Overalls include bib, straps, buttons, pocket, and vegetable embroidery.
• Bag, basket, watering can, bees, shoes, and hat are complete.
• All yarn tails are woven in securely.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the knitted mouse away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Keep the toy in a dry place and avoid heavy objects pressing on the ears or accessories. For long-term display, gently dust with a soft brush and reshape the ears, hat, and bag strap by hand when needed.