Knitting Tutorial: Mouse Berry Picnic Day Doll – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knitted mouse doll is designed as a soft berry picnic companion with a cream mouse body, oversized rounded ears, glossy black eyes, a pink embroidered nose, a blue-green striped sweater, brown pants, cream feet, yellow flower sandals, and matching picnic accessories. The set includes a green pom-pom beret, a small brown shoulder bag with button, a woven-style berry basket, tiny berries, an acorn, and a delicate head flower.

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

Pattern Overview

This pattern makes a knitted mouse doll inspired by the image, with a large soft head, small relaxed body, short limbs, and picnic-day accessories arranged around the doll. The finished doll is meant to look gentle, slightly sleepy, and handmade, with visible stockinette texture and cozy rounded shaping.

The mouse is knitted mostly in the round for a seamless plush finish. Small accessories are knitted flat or in tiny rounds. Use firm tension so the stuffing does not show through. The sweater and pants are worked as part of the body for a smooth doll finish, while the bag, beret, basket, berries, acorn, and shoe flowers are added separately.

Finished Size

• Mouse doll length: about 11 in / 28 cm from top of head to feet.
• Head width: about 4 in / 10 cm across the widest cheek area.
• Body length: about 5 in / 12.5 cm from neck to bottom.
• Ear size: about 1.8 in / 4.5 cm tall each.
• Beret diameter: about 3 in / 7.5 cm.
• Shoulder bag: about 2.25 in / 5.5 cm wide.
• Basket: about 1.75 in / 4.5 cm wide.

Materials

• DK or light worsted yarn in cream for head, ears, hands, legs, and feet.
• DK or light worsted yarn in blue and soft green for the striped sweater.
• DK or light worsted yarn in brown for pants, bag, basket, and acorn cap.
• DK or light worsted yarn in golden yellow for sandal straps and acorn body.
• Small amounts of pink, red, dark berry purple, green, and beige for flowers, berries, and details.
• US size 2 or 3 knitting needles, or 2.75 mm to 3.25 mm needles.
• Set of double-pointed needles in the same size.
• Two 9 mm black safety eyes or glossy black buttons.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Small cream or wooden button for the bag.
• Optional: thin floral wire for basket handle only if the toy is decorative, not for a child.

Gauge

Gauge: 24 sts and 34 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch using the yarn and needles listed. Exact gauge is less important than a firm fabric. If stitches look loose, go down one needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st / sts: stitch / stitches.
• rnd / rnds: round / rounds.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• m1: make 1 stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together, decreasing 1 stitch.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit, decreasing 1 stitch.
• sl1: slip 1 stitch.
• St st: stockinette stitch.

Important Construction Notes

The mouse in the image has a very large rounded head compared with the body. Keep the head firmly stuffed and smooth, but do not overstuff the snout area. The face should remain soft and oval, with the nose sitting slightly low and centered.

The body is slimmer than the head and is dressed directly in a striped sweater and brown pants. The doll lies naturally on its side, so the arms should be sewn slightly forward and bent inward. The legs should angle gently back, with the sandal flowers placed near the outer side of each foot.

• Work the head, body, arms, and legs in the round unless a section says otherwise.
• Use a removable marker to mark the beginning of each round.
• Stuff gradually as you knit to keep the shaping even.
• Leave long yarn tails on small pieces for sewing.
• Use mattress stitch for neat seams and invisible joining.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Head

Use cream yarn. The head is large, smooth, and oval with a slightly narrowed lower face. It is worked from the top down so the crown is rounded and the cheeks are full.

1. CO 8 sts and divide across double-pointed needles. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: *k2, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: *k3, kfb; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: k all sts.
11. Rnd 10: *k4, kfb; repeat from * around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: k all sts.
13. Rnd 12: *k5, kfb; repeat from * around. 56 sts.
14. Rnd 13: k all sts.
15. Rnd 14: *k6, kfb; repeat from * around. 64 sts.
16. Rnds 15-29: k all sts for 15 rounds.
17. Rnd 30: k18, kfb, k26, kfb, k18. 66 sts. These small increases create soft cheeks.
18. Rnds 31-34: k all sts.
19. Rnd 35: *k9, k2tog; repeat from * around. 60 sts.
20. Rnd 36: k all sts.
21. Rnd 37: *k8, k2tog; repeat from * around. 54 sts.
22. Rnd 38: k all sts.
23. Rnd 39: *k7, k2tog; repeat from * around. 48 sts.
24. Rnd 40: k all sts.
25. Rnd 41: *k6, k2tog; repeat from * around. 42 sts.
26. Rnd 42: k all sts.
27. Rnd 43: *k5, k2tog; repeat from * around. 36 sts.
28. Rnd 44: k all sts.
29. Rnd 45: *k4, k2tog; repeat from * around. 30 sts.

Begin stuffing the head. Shape the top firmly, fill the cheeks generously, and keep the lower face softly rounded. Do not close the head yet because the neck will be attached to the body.

1. Rnd 46: *k3, k2tog; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
2. Rnd 47: k all sts.
3. Rnd 48: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 49: k all sts.
5. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining sts but do not pull completely closed until final stuffing is adjusted.

Facial Features

The mouse face has two glossy black eyes set low and slightly wide apart. The nose is small, pink, and embroidered in a rounded heart-like triangle with two fine whisker lines extending sideways.

• Place eyes between Rnds 30 and 31 of the head, about 13 sts apart.
• The eyes should sit slightly below the widest part of the head.
• Use pink yarn to embroider a small nose centered between the eyes, about 7 rounds lower.
• Make 6 to 8 satin stitches for the nose, forming a soft oval triangle.
• Add one short vertical stitch under the nose.
• Add two tiny whisker stitches on each side using light pink or pale rose yarn.

If using safety eyes, secure them before fully closing the head. If making the doll for a very young child, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead of using safety eyes or buttons.

Ears

The ears are large, rounded, and slightly floppy. Each ear is knitted flat in cream, with a subtle inner-ear area shaped by purl texture. Make two.

1. CO 8 sts with cream yarn.
2. Row 1, RS: k all sts.
3. Row 2, WS: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Row 7: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
9. Row 8: p all sts.
10. Row 9: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
11. Rows 10-16: work in St st, beginning with a purl row.
12. Row 17: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
13. Row 18: p all sts.
14. Row 19: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
15. Row 20: p all sts.
16. Row 21: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
17. Row 22: p all sts.
18. Row 23: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
19. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Fold the lower edge of each ear slightly inward to cup it. Sew one ear to each side of the head between Rnds 12 and 25. The ears should tilt outward and downward, matching the relaxed look in the image.

Small Head Flower

The tiny flower sits near the top front of one ear and crown area. It is soft beige-pink with a golden center and a small green leaf.

Flower Petals

1. With pale pink or beige yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: k2tog, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
7. Cut yarn and pull tail through sts.
8. Make 5 petals total.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Flower Center and Leaf

• For the center, make 5 small satin stitches with golden yellow yarn in a tight circle.
• For the leaf, CO 4 sts with green yarn, k 1 row, then BO.
• Sew the petals around the yellow center and attach the leaf to one side.
• Sew the finished flower just above the mouse’s right eye, near the base of the ear.

Body with Striped Sweater

The body is narrow and short compared with the head. The upper body wears a blue and soft green striped sweater with ribbing at the neck, cuffs, and hem. The body is knitted from the neck down.

Use blue yarn first.

1. CO 24 sts and divide across double-pointed needles. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: *k1, p1; repeat from * around for neck ribbing.
3. Rnd 5: k all sts.
4. Rnd 6: *k3, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
5. Rnd 7: k all sts in blue.
6. Rnd 8: switch to soft green, k all sts.
7. Rnd 9: k all sts in soft green.
8. Rnd 10: switch to blue, k all sts.
9. Rnd 11: k all sts in blue.
10. Rnd 12: switch to soft green, k all sts.
11. Rnd 13: k all sts in soft green.
12. Rnd 14: switch to blue, *k7, kfb; repeat from * around. 36 sts.
13. Rnd 15: k all sts in blue.
14. Rnd 16: switch to soft green, k all sts.
15. Rnd 17: k all sts in soft green.
16. Rnd 18: switch to blue, k all sts.
17. Rnd 19: k all sts in blue.
18. Rnd 20: switch to soft green, k all sts.
19. Rnd 21: k all sts in soft green.
20. Rnd 22: switch to blue, k all sts.
21. Rnd 23: k all sts in blue.
22. Rnd 24: switch to soft green, *k4, k2tog; repeat from * around. 30 sts.
23. Rnd 25: k all sts in soft green.
24. Rnd 26: switch to blue, *k1, p1; repeat from * around.
25. Rnd 27: continue ribbing in blue.
26. Rnd 28: continue ribbing in blue.

The sweater body should look snug but not tight. Stuff lightly as you work. The doll in the image has a soft flattened lounging pose, so the torso should be filled enough to hold shape but not hard.

Brown Pants Section

Switch to brown yarn for the pants. The pants begin directly below the sweater hem and continue into the hip area before separating for legs.

1. Rnd 29: with brown yarn, k all sts. 30 sts.
2. Rnd 30: k all sts.
3. Rnd 31: *k4, kfb; repeat from * around. 36 sts.
4. Rnds 32-39: k all sts.
5. Rnd 40: k16, BO 4 sts for center gap, k16, BO last 0 sts. You now have two leg sections of 16 sts each with a small center divide.

Place the first 16 sts on one set of needles and the second 16 sts on waste yarn. Work each leg separately in brown before switching to cream feet.

Legs and Feet

The legs are short and cylindrical, with brown pants covering most of the leg and cream feet extending out at the end. Make two using the divided stitches from the body.

First Leg

1. Join brown yarn to the first 16 sts.
2. Rnds 1-10: k all sts.
3. Rnd 11: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 12 sts.
4. Switch to cream yarn for the foot.
5. Rnds 12-14: k all sts.
6. Rnd 15: k3, kfb, k4, kfb, k3. 14 sts.
7. Rnds 16-18: k all sts.
8. Rnd 19: *k5, k2tog; repeat from * around. 12 sts.
9. Rnd 20: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 9 sts.
10. Stuff leg and foot lightly.
11. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and secure.

Second Leg

1. Return held 16 sts to needles.
2. Work the second leg exactly as the first leg.
3. Stuff evenly, keeping both feet rounded and soft.
4. Close and weave in ends.

Sew the small center gap between the legs closed. Position the legs so they lie close together and angle slightly backward, like the relaxed picnic pose shown in the image.

Arms with Sweater Sleeves

The arms are short and rounded. Each arm has a blue-green striped sweater sleeve and a small cream paw at the end. Make two.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-6: k all sts in cream.
5. Switch to blue yarn.
6. Rnd 7: k all sts.
7. Rnd 8: switch to soft green, k all sts.
8. Rnd 9: k all sts in soft green.
9. Rnd 10: switch to blue, k all sts.
10. Rnd 11: k all sts in blue.
11. Rnd 12: switch to soft green, k all sts.
12. Rnd 13: k all sts in soft green.
13. Rnd 14: switch to blue, k all sts.
14. Rnd 15: *k1, p1; repeat from * around for cuff texture near shoulder.
15. Rnd 16: continue ribbing.
16. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Stuff the arms very lightly. Flatten the top of each sleeve and sew one arm to each side of the upper sweater, just below the neck. Angle the arms forward so the mouse looks like it is gently resting on the table.

Yellow Sandals

The sandals are golden yellow straps wrapped around the cream feet. Each sandal has a small flower accent near the outer top edge. The soles are minimal, so the cream foot remains visible.

Sandal Sole Strips

1. With golden yellow yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1-10: k every row.
3. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.
4. Make two strips.

Place one strip under each cream foot and sew around the edge with small stitches. The strip should sit like a soft sandal base, not cover the entire foot.

Toe and Ankle Straps

• For each toe strap, CO 12 sts with golden yellow yarn, then BO all sts knitwise.
• For each ankle strap, CO 15 sts with golden yellow yarn, then BO all sts knitwise.
• Sew one short strap across the front of each foot.
• Sew one longer strap around the ankle area, leaving the cream foot visible.
• Hide yarn tails inside the foot with a tapestry needle.

Sandal Flowers

• With red or pink yarn, make 5 tiny straight stitches in a circle on the top outer side of each sandal.
• Add one small yellow stitch in the center.
• Place one flower on each sandal, matching the bright little flower details in the image.

Green Pom-Pom Beret

The beret is a soft round accessory placed beside the doll in the image. It is mint green with gentle shaping and a raised pom-pom at the center.

1. With mint green yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: *k1, kfb; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: *k2, kfb; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: *k3, kfb; repeat from * around. 40 sts.
10. Rnds 9-13: k all sts.
11. Rnd 14: *k3, k2tog; repeat from * around. 32 sts.
12. Rnd 15: k all sts.
13. Rnd 16: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 24 sts.
14. Rnd 17: *k1, p1; repeat from * around.
15. Rnd 18: continue ribbing.
16. BO loosely in rib.

Flatten the beret gently with your hands so it spreads into a soft round shape. Make a small pom-pom by wrapping mint yarn around two fingers 18 times, tying the center tightly, cutting loops, and trimming into a round shape. Sew the pom-pom to the center top.

Brown Shoulder Bag

The little brown shoulder bag sits near the mouse in the image. It is rectangular with ribbed texture, a long curved strap, and a small round button on the front flap.

Bag Body

1. With medium brown yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Row 1, RS: *k1, p1; repeat from * across.
3. Row 2, WS: *p1, k1; repeat from * across.
4. Rows 3-22: repeat Rows 1 and 2 for ribbed texture.
5. Row 23: k all sts.
6. Row 24: p all sts.
7. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Fold the rectangle upward so the lower 10 rows form the front and the next 10 rows form the back. Let the remaining top rows fold over as a flap. Sew the side seams neatly.

Bag Strap

1. With brown yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work i-cord for 38 rows: k4, slide sts to other needle end, bring yarn behind, and k4 again.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one strap end to each side of the bag.

• Sew a small cream or wooden button to the center front flap.
• Shape the strap into a relaxed oval curve, like the bag shown beside the mouse.
• Do not overstuff the bag; it should stay flat and soft.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Picnic Basket

The basket is small, tan-brown, rounded, and filled with tiny knitted berries. It has a curved handle and a woven texture made from garter stitch.

Basket Base

1. With tan brown yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-12: k every row.
3. BO all sts.

Basket Sides

1. Pick up and knit 8 sts along one short edge, 12 sts along one long edge, 8 sts along the second short edge, and 12 sts along the second long edge. 40 sts total.
2. Join in the round.
3. Rnd 1: p all sts.
4. Rnd 2: k all sts.
5. Rnd 3: p all sts.
6. Rnd 4: k all sts.
7. Rnd 5: p all sts.
8. Rnd 6: k all sts.
9. BO loosely.

Fold the sides upward and shape the basket into a shallow oval. Use the yarn tail to tighten corners slightly so the basket looks rounded and handmade.

Basket Handle

1. With tan brown yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work i-cord for 24 rows.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew the handle to opposite sides of the basket opening.

Tiny Berries for Basket

Make at least six berries in red, pink, dark blue, and purple. These should be round, small, and bright, like the berries in the basket.

1. CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnds 2-3: k all sts.
4. Rnd 4: k2tog around. 6 sts.
5. Stuff with a tiny pinch of fiberfill.
6. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and secure.

• Make 2 red berries.
• Make 1 pink berry.
• Make 2 dark purple berries.
• Make 1 navy blue berry.
• Sew or place the berries into the basket so they peek above the rim.

Small Acorn

The acorn sits beside the beret and basket. It has a golden brown body and a textured darker cap.

Acorn Body

1. With golden brown yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnds 2-5: k all sts.
4. Rnd 6: *k2, k2tog; repeat from * around. 9 sts.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Rnd 7: k2tog around to last st, k1. 5 sts.
7. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed.

Acorn Cap

1. With darker brown yarn, CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * around.
3. Rnd 2: repeat ribbing.
4. Rnd 3: *k2tog; repeat from * around. 6 sts.
5. Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts.
6. Sew the cap onto the top of the acorn body.

Sewing the Head to the Body

The head should be oversized and tilted slightly, giving the mouse a gentle resting pose. Before sewing, check that the face points slightly downward and sideways, as if the doll is lying on a picnic table.

1. Hold the body under the head opening and align the neck ribbing with the lower head.
2. Use the cream tail from the head to sew through the neck edge and sweater neckline.
3. Stitch around the neck twice for strength.
4. Add extra stuffing through any small opening if the head droops too much.
5. Pull the final stitches firmly, knot securely, and hide the yarn tail inside the body.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Adding the Ears and Final Head Shape

The ears should be placed low enough to look like a mouse, not a rabbit. The image shows rounded ears that sit wide on each side of the head. Slightly curve each ear forward before sewing for a soft plush look.

• Pin ears first before sewing.
• Place each ear with the lower edge around Rnd 24 and the top edge around Rnd 13.
• Sew around the lower half only so the upper edge stays slightly floppy.
• Use a few hidden stitches at the base to make each ear cup inward.

Sweater Stripe Detail

The sweater in the image has blended blue and green striping rather than sharp single-color bands. To copy that effect, use two-round stripes and let the color changes remain slightly soft. Carry yarn loosely on the inside and avoid pulling too tightly.

• Use blue as the stronger main stripe.
• Use soft green as the secondary stripe.
• Keep the neck, hem, and shoulder areas slightly darker by using blue ribbing.
• After finishing, gently rub the sweater between your hands to soften the stripe transitions.

Optional Surface Stitches for Sweater Texture

If you want the sweater to look more like the image, add a few uneven duplicate stitches with green yarn over blue areas and blue yarn over green areas. This creates a hand-dyed, picnic-sweater texture.

• Add 8 to 12 duplicate stitches across the front body.
• Add 4 to 6 duplicate stitches on each sleeve.
• Keep the stitches random and soft, not arranged in rows.
• Do not cover the entire sweater; the effect should stay subtle.

Positioning the Doll

The finished mouse should be able to lie on its side or belly. To achieve this look, do not overstuff the belly or arms. The head should stay rounded and full, while the body remains softly flexible.

• Sew arms forward rather than straight down.
• Angle legs back and close together.
• Let the feet point slightly outward.
• Place the bag, beret, basket, and acorn around the doll for the full picnic scene.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Check that the head is centered and securely attached to the sweater neckline.
2. Sew ears in place and curve them gently with your fingers.
3. Attach the head flower near the top front of one ear.
4. Secure the arms along the sweater sides, angled toward the front.
5. Check that the brown pants section sits evenly below the sweater hem.
6. Sew sandal soles and straps onto each cream foot.
7. Add one tiny red or pink flower to each sandal.
8. Place or lightly stitch the beret, bag, basket, berries, and acorn as separate props.

For the face, keep embroidery soft and minimal. The image has a gentle expression, so avoid making the mouth too large. A small pink nose, tiny vertical line, and short whisker stitches are enough.

Care Notes

• Spot clean gently with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if safety eyes, buttons, or decorative accessories are attached.
• Press moisture out with a towel instead of wringing.
• Reshape the head, ears, beret, and basket while damp.
• Let the doll air dry flat in a shaded place.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head: large, cream, round, smooth, and softly stuffed.
• Face: glossy black eyes, small pink nose, and tiny whisker stitches.
• Ears: rounded, wide-set, slightly floppy, and sewn low on the head.
• Sweater: blue and green stripes with ribbed neck and hem.
• Pants: warm brown, fitted under the sweater.
• Feet: cream feet with golden yellow sandals and small flower details.
• Accessories: mint beret with pom-pom, brown bag with button, berry basket, berries, and acorn.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the mouse doll away from direct sunlight so the cream yarn, green beret, and blue sweater stay bright. Keep the small accessories together in a soft pouch or box when not displayed.

If dust gathers on the doll, use a clean dry cloth or a soft brush. For deeper cleaning, lightly dab the surface with cool water and mild soap, then blot dry with a towel. Avoid soaking the basket, bag, button, or embroidered facial details.

To preserve the shape, do not place heavy items on top of the doll. Refresh the beret pom-pom by fluffing it gently with your fingers. Smooth the ears and sandals after cleaning so the mouse keeps its sweet picnic-day look.