Hiding in stockings, decorating a cake, or dangling from the tree by their cotton string tails, the pink and white sugar mouse looms large in many childhood memories. Nobody quite seems to know where they came from, but these sweet little mice have been a part of Christmas for children in the UK and Australia as long as anyone can remember, least since the Victorian era. Traditionally, they’re made of fondant: almost pure sugar, hard and crumbly. But I prefer mice made from marzipan: soft and almondy.

Back when sugar was an expensive luxury, candy
was a very rare treat, something even lucky children might only have seen once or twice a year on very special occasions. One small sugar mouse was a reason to rejoice! Now, even when candy is almost inescapable all year round, holiday treats still hold a faint echo of that excitement. We only see them once a year, and the sweet memories they carry make them precious to us.

The Marzipan Mouse hat is a quick, easy knit with a little extra holiday magic. Knit in the round from squishy DK weight yarn, with optional mouse ears and a cosy shaped garter brim to cover and warm human ears, it makes an adorable gift. The pattern includes four sizes, so you can knit one for all the children and fun-loving grownups in your life.

size
X Small (Small, Medium, Large)
To fit head circumference
X Small (Baby) 41cm (16”) Small (Child) 46cm (18”) Medium (Adult) 56cm (22”) Large (Large Adult) 61cm (24”)

yarn
Louie & Lola Cormo DK
100% Cormo (non superwash); 215m/235 yds per 100g
1 x 100g skein
Colour: Marzipan Mouse
or
Louie & Lola Merino Nylon DK
80% SW Merino, 20% Nylon; 243m/266 yds per 100g
1 x 100g skein
Colour: Sugar Mouse
Approximate DK weight yarn used:
X Small (Baby) 45g 95m/105yds Small (Child) 60g 130m/140yds Medium (Adult) 70g 150m/160yds Large (Large Adult) 80g 170m/185yds

needles
4.5 mm (US 7) 40cm (16”) long circular needles (or longer for magic loop)
4.5mm (US 7) DPNs for crown if not using magic loop

notions
8 stitch markers – you may want to use one that is different to the others to mark the BOR
4 removeable stitch markers or safety pins Tapestry needle

gauge
22 sts/30 rows = 10cm (4”) in stockinette after blocking using 4.5mm (US 7) needles