Free Molly the Mouse Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
If you’ve been searching for an adorable, beginner-friendly amigurumi pattern, look no further. Molly the Mouse is here to steal your heart — and your yarn stash. This free crochet pattern will walk you through every single step to create a sweet little stuffed mouse that’s perfect for gifting, displaying, or snuggling. Whether you’re new to amigurumi or you’ve been crocheting for years, Molly is a joy to make and an even bigger joy to give away.
In this post, you’ll find a complete, free pattern with detailed instructions, stitch counts, material lists, and tips to help your finished mouse look as polished as possible. Let’s dive in.
What Is Amigurumi?
Before we get into the pattern itself, let’s quickly talk about amigurumi for anyone who might be new to the craft. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals and characters. The word combines the Japanese words “ami” (knitted or crocheted) and “nuigurumi” (stuffed doll). These little creatures are almost always worked in the round using continuous spiral rounds, which gives them their smooth, seamless look.
Amigurumi is a wonderful gateway into crochet because the projects are small enough to finish quickly, which keeps motivation high. Even a complete beginner can finish their first amigurumi in a weekend, and the results are consistently adorable. Molly the Mouse is designed with this accessibility in mind — her construction is straightforward, her pieces are manageable in size, and her finished look is undeniably charming.
Materials You’ll Need
To make Molly the Mouse, gather the following supplies before you begin:
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in your chosen mouse color (gray is classic, but cream, brown, or even a soft pink work beautifully), plus a small amount of pink or light yarn for the inner ears and belly patch if desired, and a tiny bit of black yarn or embroidery floss for facial details.
Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook is recommended for worsted weight yarn. Amigurumi is typically worked with a hook one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests, which creates a tighter fabric and prevents the stuffing from showing through.
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill stuffing. Use enough to make Molly firm but not overstuffed — she should feel solid without bulging.
Safety eyes: Two 9mm black safety eyes. If you’re making this mouse for a child under three years old, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead for safety.
Yarn needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.
Stitch markers: Helpful for marking the beginning of each round, especially as a beginner.
Scissors: For cutting yarn between sections.
Optional: A small piece of stiff felt or craft wire wrapped in floss for Molly’s tail, though a crocheted chain tail is provided in the pattern and works beautifully.
Skill Level and Gauge
This pattern is rated as easy to beginner-intermediate. You should be comfortable with the magic ring (or you can substitute a chain-2 starting method), single crochet, increases, decreases, and working in continuous rounds. If any of these techniques are new to you, there are many wonderful free video tutorials online that can get you up to speed in under an hour.
Gauge: Approximately 4 stitches and 4 rows = 1 inch in single crochet with worsted weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook. Gauge isn’t critical for this project since there are no exact size requirements, but keeping your tension consistent throughout will give Molly a smooth, even finish.
Finished size: Approximately 5 to 6 inches tall when seated.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
MR — Magic ring
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through the front loops only of the next two stitches, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops)
st(s) — Stitch(es)
rnd — Round
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
All rounds are worked in continuous spirals unless otherwise noted. Do not join rounds unless specifically instructed.
Pattern: Molly the Mouse
Head
Start with your main mouse color.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: Sc 5, inc repeat around. (42 sts)
Rnds 8–14: Sc in each st around. (42 sts) — 7 rounds even
Rnd 15: Sc 5, dec repeat around. (36 sts)
Rnd 16: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)
At this point, attach the safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, approximately 9 to 10 stitches apart. This is also the time to embroider a small nose at the very front of the head, centered between rounds 7 and 8. Use a tiny bit of pink or black embroidery floss and form a small triangle shape for the nose.
Rnd 17: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 18: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)
Begin stuffing the head firmly. Continue stuffing as you close.
Rnd 19: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Rnd 20: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining hole by weaving through the front loops of the 6 remaining stitches and pulling tight. Weave in the end.
Body
Start with your main mouse color.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)
Rnds 6–12: Sc in each st around. (30 sts) — 7 rounds even
Rnd 13: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 14: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 15: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Stuff the body firmly.
Rnd 16: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off and close as with the head, leaving a long tail for sewing the head to the body.
Ears (Make 2 outer ears in main color, 2 inner ears in pink)
Outer ear:
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff.
Inner ear:
Work as the outer ear through Rnd 3 only.
Fasten off. Place the inner ear on top of the outer ear with wrong sides together and sew around the edges to join them, or simply hold them together and attach as one piece to the head.
Flatten the ear and pinch the base slightly to give it a cupped shape before sewing it to the head. Attach the ears to the sides of Molly’s head, positioned between rounds 3 and 8, leaving approximately 10 stitches between them across the top of the head.
Arms (Make 2)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnds 3–4: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (9 sts)
Rnds 6–12: Sc in each st around. (9 sts) — 7 rounds even
Lightly stuff the arm if desired, or leave it unstuffed for a softer, more floppy feel.
Flatten the top of the arm and close it with 4 or 5 sc through both layers. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching.
Sew the arms to the sides of the body, positioned between rounds 8 and 10, one on each side.
Legs (Make 2)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc in BLO around. (12 sts) — this creates a nice ridge for the foot
Rnds 4–5: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc 4, dec, sc 4, dec. (10 sts)
Rnds 7–12: Sc in each st around. (10 sts) — 6 rounds even
Stuff the leg firmly. Flatten the top and close with 5 sc through both layers. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, spaced evenly so Molly can sit up on her own.
Tail
Using your main mouse color (or pink if you prefer a contrasting tail), make a chain of approximately 30 to 40 stitches. Slip stitch back along the chain to create a rounded cord. Fasten off and sew to the back of the body near the base.
Alternatively, cut a length of yarn about 12 inches long and braid or twist three strands together, knotting at both ends. Sew the knotted end into the back of the body before closing, or attach it afterward with the yarn needle.
Assembling Molly the Mouse
Assembly is often the most satisfying part of making amigurumi. Here’s the order of operations to bring Molly to life:
Start by sewing the head to the body. Use the long tail you left when fastening off the body to stitch around the opening of the neck, attaching it securely to the base of the head. Work around the join at least twice for stability, pulling snugly but not so tight that it distorts the shape. Weave in the end when finished.
Next, attach the ears. Position them on either side of the top of the head and pin them in place before sewing to check the spacing. Once you’re happy with their placement, stitch through the base of each ear and into the head several times, then weave in the ends inside the head so they’re hidden.
Attach the arms to the sides of the body, angling them slightly downward and forward for a natural, reaching pose. Like the ears, pin them first to test placement.
Attach the legs to the bottom of the body. If you’d like Molly to sit stably on her own, make sure the legs are positioned symmetrically and angled forward slightly so they act as a tripod with the body.
Finally, sew the tail to the back of the body and you’re done with the construction.
Finishing Touches and Customization Ideas
This is where you can really let your personality shine. Molly the Mouse is a wonderful base for all sorts of customization.
Clothing and accessories: You can crochet a tiny skirt by picking up stitches around the base of the body and working a few rows of a shell stitch or ripple pattern. A small bow sewn between the ears, a little scarf wrapped around the neck, or a tiny crocheted hat all make Molly instantly more personalized and giftable.
Color variations: While classic gray is the most mouse-like, Molly looks absolutely lovely in dusty rose, cream, caramel brown, or even a pale lavender. You can make a whole family of mice in different colorways.
Facial expression: Try repositioning the safety eyes slightly to change Molly’s personality. Eyes placed a little closer together and lower give her a younger, rounder look. Spread them farther apart for a more serene, mature expression. You can also add tiny embroidered cheek blushes using pink yarn or thread.
Size variation: If you want a larger Molly, switch to bulky weight yarn and a 5mm hook. For a tinier version, use fingering weight yarn and a 2mm hook. The proportions will stay the same; only the scale changes.
Tips for the Best Results
Working in a tight, even tension throughout makes a significant difference in how polished your finished amigurumi looks. If you can see the stuffing through the stitches, try going down a hook size.
The invisible decrease creates a much neater result than a standard decrease in amigurumi. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s worth taking five minutes to practice before you start, because it’s used throughout this pattern.
Always leave long tails when fastening off pieces you’ll need to sew together. Running out of yarn mid-attachment is frustrating, and joining new yarn in an assembly seam is tricky to hide cleanly.
If you’re new to stitch markers, use them generously. Marking the first stitch of each round takes one second and saves enormous confusion as the stitch counts increase.
Don’t rush the stuffing step. Getting a good amount of fiberfill into the smaller pieces like arms and legs requires patience and sometimes a chopstick or pencil to push stuffing into the tips.
Sharing Your Molly
If you make Molly the Mouse, I’d absolutely love to see her! Share your photos on Instagram or Pinterest and use the hashtag #mollythemouseamigurumi so the whole crochet community can admire your work. There’s something wonderful about seeing the same pattern interpreted in dozens of different colorways and styles — every Molly is a little bit different, and every single one is charming.
If you make Molly as a gift, consider presenting her in a small gift box with a bit of tissue paper. She photographs beautifully on a wooden surface or next to a small plant, if you want to share her before the big handoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell finished items made from this pattern? Yes! You’re welcome to sell finished Molly mice at craft fairs, online shops, or as custom orders. Please do not sell or redistribute the pattern itself.
Can I use a different yarn weight? Absolutely. Just adjust your hook size accordingly and expect a different finished size.
I’m a complete beginner — can I still make this? Yes, with some patience. If you’ve never crocheted before, spend a day practicing the magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases before starting Molly. Once you have those four techniques down, this pattern will be very approachable.
My pieces look lumpy — what am I doing wrong? Lumps often come from inconsistent tension or from stuffing unevenly. Try to maintain steady tension throughout each round, and when stuffing, work the fiberfill in gradually rather than pushing a large clump in at once.
How long does it take to make Molly? Most crafters with some amigurumi experience finish Molly in four to six hours. Beginners might take a full weekend, which is perfectly fine — enjoy the process!
Final Thoughts
Molly the Mouse is one of those patterns that never gets old. She’s simple enough to make repeatedly as gifts, quick enough to
