This project is a new take on the traditional plastic canvas chocolate kiss ornaments and adds crocheted elements in a Nutcracker style. Anyone who loves the Nutcracker story will love to receive this Mouse King that comes complete with candy inside!
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 2¼” tall x 2¼” wide
Gauge: All crocheted squares should measure approximately 1½” x 1½”
Materials
Yarn: Nazli Gelin Garden 3 (100 % Egyptian Cotton; 136 yards [ 125 meters]/50 grams): 300-23 Light Gray (CA, 1 ball), 300-05 Medium Pink (CB, 1 ball);
Nazli Gelin Garden 10 (99% Egyptian Cotton, 1% Metallic; 306 yards [330 meters]/50 grams): 22 Yellow with Gold (CC, 1 ball)
*Categorize your yarn by choosing the appropriate size below Lace is for crown (Garden 10) and Garden 3 is Fine
Hook: US size C/2 (2.75 mm); 1.5 mm steel hook
Notions: Embroidery needle; Plastic canvas – cut into 3 squares each 1½” x 1½” (count out 10 small squares within canvas); two 6 mm Googly eyes; Black nylon beading thread – cut into 3 lengths of approximately 2”; Glass pearl bead (5 mm); Craft glue (for eyes)
Pattern Notes
Use larger hook for all pieces except for the crown which uses the smaller hook.
All crocheted pieces are sewn to a plastic canvas base.
Use all yarn tails for assembly.
Pattern
Outside Squares (make 3)
With CA, ch 10.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (9 sc)
Row 2: Ch 3, (sc in next st, dc in next st) across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, (dc in next st, sc in next st) across, turn.
Rows 4-7: Rep Rows 2-3.
Fasten off.
Inside of Mouth
Top and Bottom (make 2)
With CB, ch 8.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (7 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Rows 3-7: Rep Row 2. Fasten off.
Row 8: Join CA with hdc in first st of Row 7, hdc in each st across, work 3 hdc in last st. Now working down side of rows, work 7 hdc evenly spaced, turn.
Row 9: Ch 2, hdc in first st and in each of next 7 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, hdc in each of next 7 hdc.
Fasten off.
Back Inside of Mouth
With CB, ch 10.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch and in each ch across, turn. (9 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Rows 3-9: Rep Row 2.
Fasten off.
Ears
Outside (make 2)
With CA, work (ch 3, 11 dc) in an adjustable ring, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
Fasten off.
Inside (make 2)
With CB, work (ch 2, 9 hdc) in an adjustable ring, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
Fasten off.
Crown
With CC and smaller hook, ch 10, join with sl st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 16 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, [sk next st, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in next st, sk next st, sc in next st] around, join with sl st to first sc.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew all CB pieces (Back Inside of Mouth) to one side of Piece #1 (see Diagram 1) with running stitch.
In same manner, sew Inside of Mouth (Top and Bottom) pieces to Pieces #2 and #3 (one to each).
Stack the following pieces in this order (with Piece #1 is on the bottom) – Diagram 2.
Piece #1 with CB side up.
Piece #2 with CB/CA side down (and CA edge pointing up).
Outside square (all CA).
Sew through all layers listed above along sides Y & Z.
Only sew CA piece on top to canvas Piece #2 along sides W & X (this will the side of the mouth opening).
Stack the following pieces in this order (so Piece # 3 is on the bottom) – Diagram 3:
Piece #3 with CB/CA side down (and CA edge pointing down).
Outside square (all CA).
Using Diagram line up sides H and I (on Piece #3) with sides C & D (on Piece #1) and sew through ALL layers (Piece #1, #3, and all CA piece on top).
Continue sewing around remaining 2 sides but only sew all CA piece to canvas Piece #3 (this will keep mouth opening open) along sides E & F.
Sew remaining outside square (last all CA piece) to back of mouse (only area where the canvas is not covered).
Using photo as a guide, sew Inside of Ears to Outside of Ears, and then secure to mouse.
Sew Crown to top center of Mouse Head.
Tie 3 black thread lengths together at center and thread under crocheted piece at tip of nose – trim threads to appropriate length.
Sew bead on over the whiskers for nose.
Glue on googly eyes.
Squeeze sides of mouth to open and insert a candy.