“The notorious Captain Cat-Battler is a veteran of the cat vs mouse conflict. Since the dawn of time, rodents and their feline foe have pitted their wits against one another. Captain Cat-Battler is a handmade hero of mousekind, keeping the cats of the world on their furry toes with his cunning and his defiant squeak”

Cats Protection team




Cats Protection suggest that when you’re knitting a toy or blanket for a feline friend, it’s best to avoid using stretchy yarns or small plastic items – such as those that can be used for eyes – to reduce the risk of injury. Loose weave blanket patterns (involving large needles) are probably best avoided too.



Captain Cat-Battler was originally designed by Lauren O’Farrell for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Thank you to Lauren and Battersea for generously enabling Cats Protection to use this pattern.



YOU WILL NEED

• 3.5mm knitting needles

• 15g acrylic DK; any colour but black or blue, and yellow preferred (body)

• 15g acrylic DK; colours as above (body, eye and eye patch)

• 15g acrylic DK; pink (ears, nose and tail)

PLUS

• Stuffing

• Small squeaker (optional)

• Catnip pouch (optional)



SIZE

Mouse: approx 10cm (nosetip to start of tail)



STITCHES USED

Knit (k)

Purl (p)

Make one (m1)






PATTERN



BODY

Using 3.5mm needles and yellow yarn cast on two sts

Row 1: k

Row 2 and every even-numbered row: p

Row 3: k, m1, k. Three sts

Row 5: k, m1, k, m1, k. Five sts

Row 7: k, m1, k3, m1, k. Seven sts

Row 9: k, m1, k5, m1, k. Nine sts

Row 11: k, m1, k7, m1, k. 11 sts

Row 13: k, m1, k9, m1, k. 13 sts

Row 15: k, m1, k11, m1, k. 15 sts

Row 17: k, m1, k13, m1, k. 17 sts

Row 18: p

Change to blue yarn

Row 19: k, m1, k15, m1, k. 19 sts

Row 20: p

Change to yellow yarn

Row 21: k, m1, k17, m1, k. 21 sts

Row 22: p

Change to blue yarn

Row 23: k, m1, k19, m1, k. 23 sts

Row 24: p

Change to yellow yarn

Row 25: k, m1, k21, m1, k. 25 sts

Row 26: p

Change to blue yarn

Rows 27-28: starting with a k row work in st st

Change to yellow

Row 29-35: rep Rows 27-28 changing from yellow to blue every two rows ending in a yellow knit row

Row 36: p

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through rem sts and draw tight to make tail end of mouse



EARS

Make two

Using 3.5mm needles and pink yarn cast on five sts

Rows 1-5: starting with a k row work in st st

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through sts and draw tight to make round part of ear



TO MAKE UP

Sew in ends. Sew cast-on yarn through bottom sts and draw tight to make lower part of ear. Sew two sides of mouse body tog from tail to nose, making sure stripes match up and leaving a hole for stuffing. Insert stuffing (and optional squeaker and catnip) into body, wrapping squeaker and catnip in stuffing before if necessary. Finish sewing body up to tip of nose. Sew ears to body using long tail. Embroider nose with pink yarn, bringing yarn through body and out of end to form tail. Tie knot at end of tail. Embroider eye and square eyepatch with band. Eyepatch band should run from left ear, across face, to first blue stripe under chin



Pattern © Lauren O’Farrell



Please send mice to your nearest Cats Protection branch, shop or adoption centre to cheer up one of the thousands of cats in their care. Even better, adopt a cat to go with your mouse!



Details are available from www.cats.org.uk or from Cats Protection’s Helpline: 03000 12 12 12