Micro Mouse

Supplies Needed:

• 2mm Macrame Cord (16 yards total)
• 1 Oval Bead for nose (12mm)
• 1 Round Bead for eye (8mm)
• Project Board and pins

Knots Used:

• Alternating Half Hitch
• Larks Head Knot
• Alternating Square Knots
• Double Half Hitch

Cut the Cords as follows:

Body: Cut one 60-inch cord, and 11 strands, each 30 inches long.

Ears: Cut 8 cords, each 20 inches in length.

Be sure to prepare the ends with one of the techniques suggested in Cord Preparation.

Designing the Body

Step 1:  Take the 60-inch cord and secure it to your project board with pins.  It should make a triangular shape, and be wider than it is taller.  Refer to the image to get a feel for the shape of the body.

Step 2:  Mount 8 of the 30-inch strands to the holding cord with reverse Larks Head knots, folding them in half in the process.  Add a Half Hitch as well. The “heads” of the Larks Heads should face the back of the design. There should be 4 strands mounted to either side of the top point. 

Step 3:  Mount the remaining 3 strands in the same manner, to the right of the top point.  These knots should rest next to the ones already mounted. This will cause the front of the Micro Mouse to be a bit longer than the back.

Step 4:  Mentally number all the strands 1 thru 24.  Tie the rows of Alternating Square knots as described below.  All the knots should consist of 4 cords (2 fillers).

1. Use strands 8 thru 11.
2. Tie 2 SK using 6 – 9, and 10 – 13.
3. Make 3 SK using strands 4 thru 15.
4. This row should have 4 SK, using strands 2 thru 17.

Step 5:  The next row is a little different.  Tie 1 SK with cords 1 – 3.  There will be 1 filler cord for this knot.  Tie the remaining ASK in this row like the others, with 4 cords per knot.  End this row with cord 19.
 
Step 6:  Slide the round bead for the eye on cord 20.  Tie another row of ASK using cords 2 thru 21.

Step 7:  Start the final row by tying a SK with cords 1 – 3, like you did in step 5.  Tie the rest of the ASK with cords 4 thru 23. 

Step 8:  Pass the bead for the nose over cord 24, which is the original holding cord. 

Step 9:  Direct the holding cord to the left of the design, so it rests directly under the last row of ASK.  Secure it so it’s taut.  Attach all the strands to it with DHH.  It works out better if you start with cord 23 and work towards the left.  Make the knots snug, so they rest against the ASK. This completes the body of the Micro Mouse.

Step 10:  Tie one SK with no fillers with the holding cords, close to the other knots. Tie Alternating Half Hitches for approximately 4 to 6 inches to make a tail for the Micro Mouse.  Tie a Barrel knot at the end.

Tip: To get the tail to curl, wrap it around a pencil and apply spray starch or a thin coat of liquid glue to stiffen it.

Creating the Ears

Step 11:  Arrange 2 of the strands cut for the ears on your board. Add a 3rd strand to them with a Square Knot.  The ends of the new strand act as the working cords. Pull on the strands to remove the slack above the knot.

Step 12:  Mentally number the strands 1 thru 4. Add 2 more cords to the design with SK.  Attach one of them to cords 1 & 2, and the other to cords 3 & 4.

Step 13:  Re-number the strands 1 thru 8. For the next row, tie an ASK with cords 3 thru 6.

Step 14:  Alternate cords and tie another row of ASK, using all the strands.

Step 15:  Repeat step 13.

Step 16:  Take cord 1 and use it as a holding cord, curving slightly, left to right.  Attach cords 2 thru 8 to it with DHH. 

Step 17:  Flip the ear design over and trim the strands coming from the DHH to 2 inches.  Weave them into the design, or glue them to the back.  You may need to apply weight while the glue dries.

Step 18:  Repeat steps 11 thru 17 for the second ear of the Micro Mouse.

Finishing Touches

Step 19:  Use the long cords that are left, to attach the ear to the body of the Micro Mouse.  They should be passed through spaces near the eye in row 5.  Look at the image to get an idea as to where they should be attached.

The DHH in both ears should be facing towards you, sticking up above the top of the body.  You can use scrap cords to secure them better if you feel they flop around too much.  Simply pass a 12-inch strand through spaces in the body and ears, and tie a SK with no fillers.  Try to arrange the knot so it blends in, preferably in the back.

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