Is there anything more heartbreakingly cute than a small creature trying to be brave in the rain? I think not. Today, the studio is filled with the pitter-patter of raindrops against the glass, and Barnaby needed something to wear. We didn’t choose a slicker or plastic coat. Oh no, we reached for the lime green cotton and the sunshine yellow yarn.
This pattern is special. It captures that “toddler in a costume” energy that makes the heart swell. Barnaby looks a little unsure, a little bashful, but completely adorable in his Froggy guise. Grab your hook, pour some tea, and let’s make him a friend.
About The Bashful Mouse (Froggy Raincoat Edition)
Barnaby is a dreamer, but he hates getting his grey fur wet. This outfit was designed to keep him dry while maximizing his charm. The “Froggy” poncho is oversized, giving him a bell-like silhouette that emphasizes his small stature. The hood features two bulging frog eyes that sit right on top of his own giant mouse ears, creating a stack of cuteness that is irresistible. The yellow boots are chunky and rounded, grounding the design with a pop of classic color.
Project Snapshot:
📊 Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
⏰ Est. Time: 4-5 Hours
📏 Size: 20cm (approx. 8 inches)
“The magic is in the shy downward gaze. Don’t place the eyes too high!” — Patricia
Materials & Tools Needed
🧶 Yarn: 100% Matte Cotton. Mouse Grey (Body), Lime Green (Coat), Sunshine Yellow (Boots), Cream (Stomach).
🪡 Hook: 2.5mm or 3.0mm (keep tension tight!).
✨ Other Materials: Pink embroidery thread (for the tiny nose), Black safety eyes (10mm or 12mm), Polyfill stuffing.
Abbreviations & Stitches Used
ch (chain), sl st (slip stitch), sc (single crochet), inc (increase), dec (decrease), BLO (back loop only).
The Complete Bashful Mouse Pattern
Critical: Use the “Invisible Decrease” for a smooth finish on the head and body. Critical: The ears are the signature. Do not under-stuff the head, but do NOT stuff the ears.
Part 1: The Mouse Head (Grey)
R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: inc in every st (12)
R3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
R4-R8: Continue increasing until you have a wide, flat disc (approx 54 sts).
R9-R18: Sc around (54). This creates the “Chibi” forehead.
Insert Safety Eyes LOW on the face, between R14 and R15, about 9 stitches apart.
R19: (sc 7, dec) x 6 (48)
Start closing rapidly. The head should be wider than it is tall.
Finish off. Embroider a tiny PINK triangle nose directly between the eyes. No mouth!
Part 2: The Giant Saucer Ears (Make 2)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc in every st (12)
R3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
R5-R6: sc around (24).
Fold the circle flat. Do not stuff. Sew the opening closed. These must be sewn HIGH on the head.
Part 3: The Froggy Raincoat (Lime Green)
Note: This is worked top-down.
R1 (Neck): Ch 20, sl st to join.
R2: ch 2 (does not count), dc in each st around (20).
R3: (dc 1, inc) around. We want a wide flare.
R4-R8: Continue dc rounds, increasing randomly to create a “bell” poncho shape that covers his arms but shows his tummy.
The Frog Hood: Attach green yarn to the neck chain. Work in rows of sc back and forth to create a rectangle, then sew the top seam. Add two small green “bobbles” on top for frog eyes.
Part 4: The Rain Boots (Yellow)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc in every st (12)
R3: BLO sc around (12) – creates the sole edge.
R4-R6: sc around (12).
Fasten off. Stuff lightly. Sew to the bottom of the grey legs.
Assembly & Final Touches
- Sew the head to the small, fat body. It will look wobbly—that is the charm.
- Sew the ears firmly. They should look almost too big for him.
- Put the raincoat on. It should fit snugly over the body.
- Using a yarn needle, tack the hood down slightly if it slides off the giant ears.
- Sew the long, thin grey tail to the back.
Tips & FAQs
Q: My ears are floppy. A: You may need to use a smaller hook size for the ears to make the fabric stiff. You can also double-layer them (make two circles and crochet them together).
Q: Can I use felt for the boots? A: No! Patricia’s rule: To maintain the heirloom aesthetic, everything must be yarn. Texture is key.
A Final Word
When you place Barnaby on your shelf, tilt his head slightly down. It gives him that “Bashful” personality we all love. If you make this Froggy Barnaby, please tag me. Seeing his little rainy day outfit brings me so much joy.
Happy Stitching, Patricia x
