Pattern: Chinese New Year Rat

allaboutami.com/pattern-chinese-new-year-rat/

January 15,
2020

Materials:

Coboo Yarn (lightweight level 3) in “White” (~22 g) and “Pink” (~5 g)

2.75 mm Clover Amour Hook
Yarn needle (bent tip helpful for attaching amigurumi parts- see HERE)
Fiberfill
7.5 mm safety eyes
Pink embroidery floss
Optional: Decorative Floral wire (12 gauge) for tail

Notes:
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Finished Dimensions: 3″/7.6 cm tall, 2″/5 cm wide (4.5″/11.4 cm from ear to ear)

PATTERN

Before beginning to crochet, cut two long strands of white yarn (at least 20″/51 cm) and
set aside for eye indentation.

HEAD

Using white yarn,

R1: 4 sc in Magic Ring. (4 sts)

R2: *Sc 1, Inc*, rep 2 times. (6 sts)

R3: *Sc 2, Inc*, rep 2 times. (8 sts)

R4: *Sc 3, Inc*, rep 2 times. (10 sts)

R5: *Sc 4, Inc*, rep 2 times. (12 sts)

R6: Sc 4, Inc x 4, Sc 4. (16 sts)

R7: Sc 8, Inc x 2 times, Sc 6. (18 sts).

R8: Sc 6. *Inc, Sc 1*, rep 4 times. Sc 4. (22 sts)

R9: Sc 8. *Inc, Sc 1*, rep 4 times. Sc 6. (26 sts)

R10: Sc 14, Inc x 2, Sc 10. (28 sts)

R11: Sc around. (28 sts)

R12: Sc 16, Inc x 2, Sc 10. (30 sts)

R13: Sc around. (30 sts)

R14: Sc 18, Inc x 2, Sc 10. (32 sts)

R15: Sc around. (32 sts)

R16: *Sc 6, Dec*, rep 4 times. (28 sts)

R17: *Sc 5, Dec*, rep 4 times. (24 sts)

R18: *Sc 4, Dec*, rep 4 times. (20 sts)

Place 7.5 mm safety eyes between Rounds 9 and 10 (about 11 stitches apart, counting
along Round 9). DO NOT snap in washers yet.

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To give the face more definition, we will be using a technique called eye indentation.
After inserting the safety eyes (without attaching washer yet), use white yarn strands you
set aside at the beginning and tie knots around post of each safety eye. Add the
washers. Pull each yarn strand downwards (ensure the strands cross each other to form
an X inside the head). Using your crochet hook, pick up the strands and have them exit
the head between Rounds 9 and 10. Stuff head gently.

[You can reference this picture below taken from the Chinese New Year Pig to illustrate
the eye indentation technique.]

R19: *Sc 3, Dec*, rep 4 times. (16 sts)

R20: *Sc 2, Dec*, rep 4 times. (12 sts)

Finish stuffing.

R21: Dec around. (6 sts)

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Fasten off and use yarn tail and needle to go through front loops of remaining six
stitches. Pull tight to close and weave in end. Pull yarn ends from eye indentation tight,
tie knots, and weave in ends.

Adding nose: Using pink embroidery floss and yarn needle, add pink nose onto upper half
of magic circle.

Outer Ears (make 2)

Using white yarn,

R1: 6 sc in Magic Ring. (6 sts)

R2: Inc around. (12 sts)

R3: *Sc 1, Inc*, rep 6 times. (18 sts)

R4: *Sc 2, Inc*, rep 6 times. (24 sts)

R5: *Sc 3, Inc*, rep 6 times. (30 sts)

R6: *Sc 4, Inc*, rep 6 times. (36 sts)

R7: Sc around. (36 sts)

Fasten off and leave long end for sewing.

Ear Lining (make 2)

Using pink yarn,

R1: 6 sc in Magic Ring. (6 sts)

R2: Inc around. (12 sts)

R3: *Sc 1, Inc*, rep 6 times. (18 sts)

R4:*Sc 2, Inc*, rep 6 times. (24 sts)

Fasten off and weave in end.

Place pink ear lining onto white outer ear so wrong sides are facing each other (right
sides should be the outer sides). Use white yarn to attach pink ear lining to outer ear by
picking up stitches behind front and back loops of pink ear lining (leave the front and
back loops untouched).

Pinch tips of ears to fold them. Place folded tips onto either side of head across Rounds
14-16, about 7 stitches across (along Round 15) and attach into place.

Body
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Using white yarn,

Chain 5 (this is the foundation chain- we will be crocheting around it. See HERE for
tutorial).

R1: Starting from second chain from hook, Sc 4 in back loops of foundation chain. Turn
and Sc 4 in front loops of the foundation chain (we have created an oval by crocheting
around the chain). (8 sts)

R2: Inc, Sc 2, Inc x 2, Sc 2, Inc. (12 sts)

R3: Inc x 2, Sc 4, Inc x 2, Sc 4. (16 sts)

R4: Sc 1, Inc x 2, Sc 5, Inc x 2, Sc 6. (20 sts)

R5: In back loop only, Sc around. (20 sts)

R6-10: Sc around. (20 sts)

R11: *Sc 8, Dec*, rep 2 times. (18 sts)

R12: *Sc 7, Dec*, rep 2 times. (16 sts)

R13: *Sc 6, Dec*, rep 2 times. (14 sts)

Fasten off and leave long end for sewing.

Optional: To help flatten the bottom (so that the rat will sit more easily), pinch the bottom
and pull it upwards. Thread original yarn end (that you fastened off with) through yarn
needle and insert needle through the inside of the body and through the bottom. Next,
move the yarn needle back upwards through another spot along bottom (a couple
stitches over) and back through the inside of the body. The bottom is now flat. Add
fiberfill stuffing.

Place head on body so that the face is looking upwards (body is attached to Rounds 15-
18 of head). Whip stitch into place.

Arms (make 2)

Using pink yarn,

R1: 4 sc in Magic Ring. Switch to white yarn and slip stitch to next stitch (to close up the
ring).

Using white yarn,

R2-5: Sc around. (4 sts)

Fasten off and leave long end for sewing. Do not stuff.

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Attach each arm onto sides of body, with base of arm on Rounds 10-11. Fold the arms
inwards along the chest and upwards towards rat’s head so that two pink tips touch.

Legs/Thighs (make 2)

Using white yarn,

Chain 4 (this is the foundation chain- we will be crocheting around it. See HERE for
tutorial).

R1: Starting from second chain from hook, Sc 3 in back loops of foundation chain. Turn
and Sc 3 in front loops of the foundation chain (we have created an oval by crocheting
around the chain). (6 sts)

R2: Inc, Sc 1, Inc x 2, Sc 1, Inc. (10 sts)

R3: Sc 10. (10 sts)

Fasten off and leave long end for sewing. Do not stuff.

Place each leg on side of body (along Rounds 5-7 of body, approximately 6 stitches apart
of Round 6). Whip stitch into place.

Feet (make 2)

Using pink yarn,

R1: 4 sc in Magic Ring.

R2-4: Sc 4. (4 sts)

Fasten off and leave long end for sewing. Do not stuff.

Place feet on bottom of body (around Rounds 3-4 of body) and near the legs. Whip stitch
into place.

Tail

Using pink yarn,

R1: 3 sc in Magic Ring.

R2-21: Sc 3. (3 sts).

Optional: Cut wire to more than length of tail. Bend both ends of the wire and wrap tape
around the ends so that there are no pointy tips. Place into tail and insert protruding end
into bottom back of body. Use pink yarn tail to sew into place and weave in end. Note
that if this toy is for a small child, omit the wiring.

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************************************

How adorable is this little rat with his sitting position and cute arms? He looks like he is
ready to give a red pocket or perhaps say a prayer for a loved one!

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He is so sweet looking upwards longingly and is ready to befriend you!

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I love how the tail is poseable since it has wiring in it!

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This pattern is an original pattern by Stephanie Lau of All About Ami. Please do not claim this
pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please
do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO
NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.

You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me,
Stephanie Lau of All About Ami, and provide a link to my blog www.AllAboutAmi.com.
Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank
you for being respectful and for your understanding!

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