Harold Fatmus designed by © Clare Hutchinson
Harold Fatmus is a wonderfully characterful free mouse
knitting pattern by Clare Hutchinson of Wee County Yarns.
Harold combines a plump knitted mouse with a smart Fair Isle jumper, making
him a fun small project for knitters who enjoy stranded colorwork.
The original design uses small amounts of Shetland-style yarn in several
colors, so Harold is also an appealing project for using leftover yarn.
Once finished, he measures approximately 15 cm high.
Harold Fatmus Pattern Details
- Designer: Clare Hutchinson
- Published by: Wee County Yarns
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Animal softie / knitted mouse
- Pattern availability: Free
- Suggested yarn weight: Light Fingering / 4-ply
- Suggested yardage: 150–200 yards (137–183 m)
- Needles: 3.0 mm (US 2½) and 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Gauge: 28 stitches = 4 inches in stranded colorwork
- Finished size: Approximately 15 cm high
- Techniques: Stranded colorwork, Fair Isle, I-cord and seaming
- Language: English
About Harold Fatmus
Harold's defining feature is his colorful Fair Isle jumper. The stranded
colorwork gives this little mouse much of his personality while providing
an opportunity to work a traditional knitting technique on a relatively
small project.
The original pattern includes written instructions together with a chart
for the colorwork section.
Yarn and Colorwork
The original design uses Wee County Yarns Miniballs, a light fingering
wool yarn. Harold uses several colors, making the project particularly
suitable for small quantities of coordinating yarn.
You do not have to reproduce the original colors exactly. Choosing a main
body shade and a small palette of contrasting colors for the Fair Isle
jumper is an easy way to give your Harold a different personality.
How Harold Is Constructed
Harold is made from a base and an upper section that are joined together.
The pattern includes both knitting in the round and seaming, along with
separately attached details such as the ears and tail.
The designer also notes that the construction can be adapted into a more
seamless version if you are comfortable modifying the original method.
Toy or Doorstop?
Harold can be made as a soft knitted character, but the original designer
also suggests adding weight to the finished mouse so that he can be used
as a charming doorstop.
If you intend to make Harold as a toy rather than a decorative piece,
choose finishing materials appropriate for the intended recipient and
secure all small details carefully.
Get the Free Harold Fatmus Knitting Pattern
The complete Harold Fatmus pattern by Clare Hutchinson
is currently available free from the designer's Wee County Yarns website.
The pattern is also listed as free on Ravelry.
Get the Free Harold Fatmus Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated.
External pattern availability may change over time.
