Crochet Tutorial: Christmas Mouse in Santa Hat and Festive Sweater – Free Crochet Pattern.

This Christmas mouse amigurumi is designed to match the pictured doll: a gray mouse with large round ears, white eye patches, glossy black eyes, pink cheeks, a soft pink nose, a red Santa hat with white trim, a tiny Christmas tree applique, a green and red striped sweater, a black belt with a gold buckle, red shoes, a crossbody gift bag, a curved tail, plus small gingerbread and candy cane props.

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

Using sport weight yarn and a 2.25 mm hook, the mouse measures about 8.5 inches tall from the bottom of the shoes to the top of the head, not including the bent Santa hat. The proportions are intentionally chubby and rounded, with an oversized head and small body to match the photo.

• Head width: about 4.5 inches.
• Body height: about 3.25 inches.
• Ear diameter: about 1.45 inches each.
• Shoe length: about 1.1 inches each.
• Gift bag: about 2 inches tall.
• Candy cane: about 2.5 inches long.
• Gingerbread prop: about 2.25 inches tall.

Skill Level

This pattern is written for confident beginners who know how to work in continuous rounds, change colors neatly, sew small parts, embroider simple details, and shape amigurumi firmly. Many pieces are small, but each section uses basic stitches and clear stitch counts.

Materials

• Sport weight cotton or cotton blend yarn in light gray for the mouse.
• Sport weight yarn in red, green, white, cream, black, gold, pale pink, brown, and a small amount of yellow.
• 2.25 mm crochet hook for the main doll.
• 2.00 mm crochet hook for tiny appliques and facial details.
• 10 mm black safety eyes or glossy black buttons.
• White felt for the oval eye patches, or white yarn if you prefer crocheted patches.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch marker.
• Embroidery needle.
• Small amount of blush powder or pink textile crayon for the cheeks.
• Two tiny gold bells for the shoes, optional but accurate to the image.
• Craft glue, optional, only for felt eye patches.

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring.
• ch: chain.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• sc: single crochet.
• hdc: half double crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• inc: 2 single crochet in the same stitch.
• dec: invisible decrease over 2 stitches.
• BLO: back loop only.
• FLO: front loop only.
• st: stitch.
• R: round or row.
• FO: fasten off.

Gauge and Construction Notes

Gauge is not critical, but your stitches must be tight enough that stuffing does not show. A good target is about 7 to 8 sc per inch. If your fabric looks loose, use a smaller hook. If your work becomes stiff and difficult, use a slightly larger hook.

Work most amigurumi pieces in continuous spirals. Do not join rounds unless the pattern says to join. Use a stitch marker at the first stitch of each round. Stuff the head and body firmly, but do not overstuff the ears, arms, shoes, hat brim, or bag.

For the most accurate look, keep the mouse head larger than the body. The head should sit low on the sweater neckline, with the ears attached high and slightly behind the sides. The Santa hat should tilt left, with the pom-pom hanging near the left cheek.

Color Placement Overview

• Mouse: light gray head, body lower section, ears, legs, and tail.
• Muzzle and hands: cream or very pale beige.
• Nose: pale pink oval embroidery.
• Sweater: green base with narrow red stripes.
• Hat: red cone, white fluffy brim, white pom-pom, green tree applique.
• Belt: black band with gold buckle.
• Shoes: red with cream oval toe patches and tiny gold bells.
• Bag: green and red striped cylinder gift bag with green strap and bow lines.

Head

Use light gray yarn and the 2.25 mm hook. The head is a wide rounded sphere with a gentle cheek area. Stuff firmly as you go. The front of the head is where the increases sit evenly and the final shaping is smooth.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 36 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, inc; repeat around. 42 sts.
8. R8: sc 6, inc; repeat around. 48 sts.
9. R9: sc 7, inc; repeat around. 54 sts.
10. R10: sc 8, inc; repeat around. 60 sts.
11. R11-R18: sc around. 60 sts for 8 rounds.
12. R19: sc 18, inc, sc 5, inc, sc 10, inc, sc 5, inc, sc 18. 64 sts.
13. R20-R21: sc around. 64 sts.
14. R22: sc 6, dec; repeat around. 56 sts.
15. R23: sc 5, dec; repeat around. 48 sts.
16. R24: sc 4, dec; repeat around. 40 sts.
17. R25: sc 3, dec; repeat around. 32 sts.
18. R26: sc 2, dec; repeat around. 24 sts.
19. R27: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 16 sts.

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Stuff the head very firmly, especially in the cheek area. The lower front should look softly full, not pointed. FO with a long tail. Do not close completely until the face is positioned, because the opening helps you adjust the safety eye backs if needed.

White Oval Eye Patches

The photo shows large white oval patches sitting behind glossy black eyes. Felt gives the closest smooth look. If you prefer all-crochet details, use the crochet version below. Make two identical patches.

Crocheted Eye Patch Option

Use white yarn and the 2.00 mm hook.

1. R1: ch 7. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side of the chain, sc 4, inc in last ch. 14 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 26 sts.
4. Sl st to finish. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Flatten each oval. Sew or glue them vertically on the front of the head between R13 and R22, with about 3 stitches between the patches at the narrowest point. Insert black safety eyes through the lower middle of each white oval before securing the backs.

Muzzle and Nose

The muzzle in the image is very subtle, made by a small cream snout area and a pink oval nose. Use cream yarn for the muzzle. Work gently so the muzzle stays rounded and does not become bulky.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc around. 18 sts.
5. R5: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 12 sts.

Stuff lightly. Sew the muzzle centered between the eye patches, with the top edge around R18 of the head and the lower edge around R23. Embroider the nose with pale pink yarn over the center top of the muzzle. Make a vertical oval about 5 stitches wide and 4 rows tall.

With black embroidery thread, stitch one straight line down from the bottom center of the nose. Add a tiny split line at the bottom to form a soft mouse mouth. Embroider three fine whisker lines on each cheek, angled slightly upward, straight outward, and slightly downward.

Cheek Blush

The mouse has soft pink blush on both cheeks. Use a small amount of blush powder or textile crayon. Place blush on the gray cheek area just below the outer side of each eye patch. Keep it light and round so it looks soft rather than painted.

Ears

Make two gray outer ears and two slightly smaller inner ear rounds. The ears are round, flat, and attached high on the sides of the head. The right ear is fully visible, while the left ear is partly hidden under the Santa hat.

Outer Ear, Make 2

Use light gray yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 36 sts.
7. R7: sc around. 36 sts.
8. R8: sc 4, dec; repeat around. 30 sts.

Do not stuff. Flatten the ear with the decrease round at the bottom edge. FO with a long sewing tail.

Inner Ear, Make 2

Use a slightly lighter gray or very pale pink-gray yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
5. Sl st to finish. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew one inner ear to the center of each outer ear. Attach the ears to the head between R7 and R15. Place them slightly behind the center line of the head sides. Curve the bottom of each ear inward while sewing to create the cupped shape seen in the photo.

Body

The body is smaller than the head and shaped like a short rounded pear. The sweater is crocheted directly onto the body by changing colors. The lower body and legs remain gray under the black belt.

Start with green yarn for the sweater section.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 36 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, inc; repeat around. 42 sts.
8. R8: with green, sc around. 42 sts.
9. R9: change to red, sc around. 42 sts.
10. R10-R11: change to green, sc around. 42 sts for 2 rounds.
11. R12: change to red, sc around. 42 sts.
12. R13-R14: change to green, sc around. 42 sts for 2 rounds.
13. R15: change to red, sc around. 42 sts.
14. R16: change to green, sc around. 42 sts.
15. R17: BLO with black yarn, sc around to create the belt. 42 sts.
16. R18: change to light gray, working in both loops again, sc around. 42 sts.
17. R19: sc 5, dec; repeat around. 36 sts.
18. R20: sc around. 36 sts.
19. R21: sc 4, dec; repeat around. 30 sts.
20. R22: sc 3, dec; repeat around. 24 sts.
21. R23: sc 2, dec; repeat around. 18 sts.

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Stuff the body firmly. FO with a long tail. The neck opening should stay small enough to support the head. Sew the head onto the body with the muzzle facing front and the belt sitting horizontally. Add extra stitches through the back of the neck for support.

Sweater Ribbed Neck Trim

The sweater has a small green neckline under the head. Attach green yarn to a front loop from R8 near the neck opening. Work sl st loosely around the top edge. If your head already covers the neckline, stitch only the visible front half.

1. Join green yarn at the back neck area.
2. Ch 1, sl st in each visible stitch around the neckline.
3. Join with sl st to first sl st.
4. FO and weave in the ends under the head.

Sweater Snowflake Embroidery

The front of the green sweater has small white snowflake stars. Use white embroidery floss or thin white yarn. Place one snowflake on the left front and one on the right front, both above the black belt and below the top red stripe.

• Make each snowflake with one vertical stitch, one horizontal stitch, and two diagonal stitches crossing at the center.
• Add a tiny short stitch at the end of each line if you want a more detailed star.
• Keep each snowflake about 0.5 inch wide.
• Do not pull too tightly, or the sweater will pucker.

Arms

The arms are short and hang slightly outward. They have cream hands and green-red striped sleeves. Make two. Stuff only the lower hand lightly, and leave the sleeve nearly flat so it sews neatly to the body.

Start with cream yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 9 sts.
3. R3-R4: sc around. 9 sts for 2 rounds.
4. R5: change to green, sc around. 9 sts.
5. R6: change to red, sc around. 9 sts.
6. R7-R8: change to green, sc around. 9 sts for 2 rounds.
7. R9: change to red, sc around. 9 sts.
8. R10-R12: change to green, sc around. 9 sts for 3 rounds.

Flatten the top opening and sc 4 through both layers to close. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew arms to the sides of the sweater between R9 and R14 of the body. Angle them slightly downward, with the cream hands visible below the sleeve cuffs.

Legs

The gray legs are short and close together under the belt. Make two. They are worked separately and sewn under the body. Stuff lightly so they stay rounded but not stiff.

1. R1: with light gray, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 15 sts.
4. R4-R7: sc around. 15 sts for 4 rounds.
5. R8: sc 3, dec; repeat around. 12 sts.
6. R9: sc around. 12 sts.

Stuff lightly. Flatten the top and sc 6 through both layers to close. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew the legs to the lower body, placing them close together with a narrow gap in the center, just as shown in the image.

Red Shoes

The shoes are red and rounded with cream oval patches on top. Make two shoes. The front of each shoe is wider than the heel. Add the tiny bells after sewing the shoes to the legs.

Use red yarn.

1. R1: ch 6. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side, sc 3, inc in last ch. 12 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 3, inc 3 times, sc 3, inc 2 times. 18 sts.
3. R3: BLO, sc around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 5, dec 4 times, sc 5. 14 sts.
5. R5: sc 4, dec 3 times, sc 4. 11 sts.
6. R6: sc around. 11 sts.

Stuff the toe lightly. FO, leaving a tail. Sew one shoe to the bottom of each leg, keeping the cream toe patch area facing forward.

Cream Shoe Patches

Make two small oval patches with cream yarn.

1. R1: ch 5. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 3, 3 sc in last ch, work on other side, sc 2, inc. 10 sts.
2. R2: sl st around loosely. FO with a sewing tail.

Sew one cream oval to the top front of each red shoe. Add one tiny gold bell to the outer side of each shoe, near the heel. If this is for a small child, embroider a gold knot instead of using real bells.

Tail

The tail is pale cream-pink and curves to the mouse’s right side. It should be thin, flexible, and long enough to peek from behind the gift bag. You may insert a pipe cleaner only if the doll is decorative and not for a child.

Use pale pink or cream-pink yarn.

1. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. R2-R28: sc around. 5 sts for 27 rounds.

Do not stuff. FO, leaving a long tail. Shape gently into a soft curve. Sew the base to the back lower body, slightly to the right side. Let the tail curl outward and upward beside the bag.

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Santa Hat

The Santa hat is red, tall, and bent toward the left side. It has a thick white brim, a white pom-pom, and a small green Christmas tree applique on the front. The hat should sit low over the left side of the head.

Red Hat Cone

Use red yarn. Stuff very lightly only near the base if needed. Keep the upper point soft so it bends naturally.

1. R1: 4 sc in MR. 4 sts.
2. R2: sc around. 4 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 6 sts.
4. R4: sc around. 6 sts.
5. R5: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 8 sts.
6. R6: sc around. 8 sts.
7. R7: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 10 sts.
8. R8: sc around. 10 sts.
9. R9: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 12 sts.
10. R10: sc around. 12 sts.
11. R11: sc 5, inc; repeat around. 14 sts.
12. R12: sc around. 14 sts.
13. R13: sc 6, inc; repeat around. 16 sts.
14. R14: sc around. 16 sts.
15. R15: sc 7, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
16. R16: sc around. 18 sts.
17. R17: sc 8, inc; repeat around. 20 sts.
18. R18: sc around. 20 sts.
19. R19: sc 9, inc; repeat around. 22 sts.
20. R20: sc around. 22 sts.
21. R21: sc 10, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
22. R22: sc around. 24 sts.
23. R23: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 30 sts.
24. R24: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 36 sts.
25. R25: sc around. 36 sts.

FO and weave in the end. Bend the upper half of the cone to the left before sewing. Do not overstuff. The cone should look soft, like fabric, not rigid.

White Hat Brim

Use white yarn. For the fluffy look in the image, use a soft acrylic or chenille-style yarn if you have it. If not, regular white cotton still works.

1. Attach white yarn to any stitch at the base of the red cone.
2. R1: ch 1, sc around the 36-st base, join with sl st. 36 sts.
3. R2: ch 1, hdc around, join with sl st. 36 sts.
4. R3: ch 1, sc around, join with sl st. 36 sts.

FO and weave in the end. Sew the brim to the head above the eyes, angled downward on the left side. The brim should cover part of the left ear base and sit higher near the right ear.

White Pom-Pom

Use white yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4-R5: sc around. 18 sts for 2 rounds.
5. R6: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 12 sts.
6. R7: dec around. 6 sts.

Stuff firmly. FO and close the opening. Sew the pom-pom to the bent tip of the red hat so it hangs near the left side of the head.

Christmas Tree Applique on Hat

The small tree applique sits on the front left side of the Santa hat. It has a green tree, yellow garland, tiny white dots, and a brown trunk. Use the 2.00 mm hook.

Green Tree

1. R1: ch 2, 2 sc in second ch from hook. Turn. 2 sts.
2. R2: ch 1, inc in each st. Turn. 4 sts.
3. R3: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 4 sts.
4. R4: ch 1, inc, sc 2, inc. Turn. 6 sts.
5. R5: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 6 sts.
6. R6: ch 1, inc, sc 4, inc. Turn. 8 sts.
7. R7: ch 1, sc across. FO.

Brown Trunk

1. Attach brown yarn to the center bottom of the tree.
2. Ch 2, sc in second ch from hook, sl st back into tree base.
3. FO and weave in the end.

With yellow yarn, embroider a zigzag garland across the tree. With white yarn, stitch three tiny French knots or small straight stitches as ornaments. Sew the tree to the red hat, slightly above the white brim.

Black Belt and Gold Buckle

The black belt is crocheted into the body, but the gold buckle is added separately. The buckle is centered on the front and sits over the black band.

Gold Buckle

Use gold yarn and the 2.00 mm hook.

1. Ch 12.
2. Sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
3. Ch 1, sc 3 along the top side, sc 3 into the corner, sc 3 along the bottom side, sc 3 into the last corner.
4. Join with sl st and FO, leaving a sewing tail.

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Shape the buckle into a small rectangle. Sew it to the front center of the black belt. With black yarn, fill the middle opening with a few horizontal stitches if you want the buckle center to look dark like the image.

Crossbody Gift Bag

The gift bag hangs from the left shoulder to the right hip. It is red with green bands and a green strap. The bag should sit against the mouse’s right side, partly covering the lower sweater and tail base.

Bag Body

Start with red yarn.

1. R1: ch 8. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 6, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side, sc 5, inc in last ch. 16 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 5, inc 3 times, sc 5, inc 2 times. 22 sts.
3. R3: BLO, sc around. 22 sts.
4. R4: with red, sc around. 22 sts.
5. R5: change to green, sc around. 22 sts.
6. R6-R7: change to red, sc around. 22 sts for 2 rounds.
7. R8: change to green, sc around. 22 sts.
8. R9-R10: change to red, sc around. 22 sts for 2 rounds.
9. R11: change to green, sc around. 22 sts.
10. R12: change to red, sc around. 22 sts.

Stuff lightly or insert a small folded scrap of yarn so the bag remains slightly padded but flat against the body. Flatten the top opening and sc 11 through both layers. FO and weave in the end.

Bag Strap

Use green yarn.

1. Ch 55 for a strap that crosses the front of an 8.5-inch doll.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st in each ch across.
3. FO, leaving long tails for sewing.

Sew one strap end to the top left side of the bag and the other end to the opposite top side. Place the strap over the mouse’s left shoulder and across the sweater to the right hip. Tack the strap at the shoulder and hip with tiny stitches.

Gift Ribbon Lines

Use green yarn to embroider one vertical line down the center of the bag and one horizontal line around the middle. Add a small green bow or knot near the top front. Keep the lines raised and visible, like wrapped ribbon.

Mini Gingerbread Buddy Prop

The photo includes a tiny gingerbread figure beside the mouse. This piece is optional, but it completes the photographed scene. Use brown yarn and a 2.00 mm hook. Work tightly and stuff only the head and body very lightly.

Head and Body

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3-R4: sc around. 12 sts for 2 rounds.
4. R5: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 8 sts.
5. R6: sc around. 8 sts.
6. R7: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 12 sts.
7. R8-R10: sc around. 12 sts for 3 rounds.
8. R11: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 8 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO and close. Embroider a white smiling mouth and two tiny eyes with black thread. Add two red French knots down the body for buttons.

Gingerbread Arms and Legs

• Arms: join brown yarn to one side of the body, ch 5, sc back 4, sl st to body. Repeat on the other side.
• Legs: join brown yarn at the bottom, ch 5, sc back 4, sl st to body. Repeat for the second leg.
• Icing cuffs: wrap white yarn once around each wrist and ankle, then secure with a small knot hidden at the back.

Mini Candy Cane Prop

The candy cane is white with red spiral stripes. It lies beside the mouse and adds a strong holiday detail. Use white yarn first, then wrap red yarn afterward.

1. R1: with white, 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. R2-R24: sc around. 5 sts for 23 rounds.
3. FO and close the end.

Do not stuff. Insert a short pipe cleaner only for decorative use, then bend the top into a hook shape. Wrap red yarn diagonally around the cane from bottom to top. Secure both ends neatly with a needle.

Optional Crocheted Eye Highlight

If your black eyes do not have a natural shine, add a small white thread highlight. Make one tiny straight stitch near the upper left edge of each black eye. Keep both highlights facing the same direction so the expression looks bright and balanced.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the head firmly to the body, checking that the sweater stripes face forward.
2. Attach both ears high on the head, with the left ear partly covered by the Santa hat.
3. Place the eye patches first, then secure the black eyes through the center-lower area of each patch.
4. Sew the muzzle between the eyes and embroider the pink oval nose.
5. Add the black mouth line and three whiskers on each cheek.
6. Sew the arms to the sweater sides and angle them slightly downward.
7. Sew the legs under the body, then attach the red shoes to the legs.
8. Add the cream shoe patches and gold bell details.
9. Sew the Santa hat low and tilted to the left, then add the white pom-pom.
10. Sew the Christmas tree applique to the red hat front.
11. Place the gift bag at the right hip and secure the strap across the chest.
12. Sew or tack the tail to the back lower body so it curves beside the bag.
13. Add the sweater snowflakes with white embroidery.
14. Place the gingerbread buddy and candy cane beside the mouse for display.

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Care Notes

Spot clean the finished mouse with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak if you used felt, bells, glue, blush, or safety eyes. Let the doll air dry flat in a shaded place. Avoid direct heat because it can distort stuffing and soften glued details.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is larger than the body and firmly attached.
• The Santa hat bends left and has a white brim, pom-pom, and tree applique.
• The white eye patches are large, oval, and vertical.
• The sweater has green and red stripes with white snowflakes.
• The black belt has a gold buckle centered in front.
• The red shoes have cream toe patches and tiny gold side details.
• The green strap crosses diagonally over the front of the sweater.
• The gift bag rests at the right hip.
• The thin tail curves out beside the bag.
• The gingerbread buddy and candy cane props are finished if you want the full scene.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the Christmas mouse in a dry place away from strong sunlight. If you display it seasonally, wrap it in tissue paper before storage so the hat brim, ears, shoes, and bag do not flatten. Keep the mini candy cane and gingerbread prop in the same box.

Refresh the shape by gently rolling the head and body between your hands. Do not pull the whiskers or bag strap. If the sweater embroidery loosens, secure the thread ends inside the body with a needle and trim only after the knot is hidden.