This is the third pattern from A Year of Techniques - a collection of 12 patterns to teach you new knitting skills.

Adorable mouse causes knitters the world over to swoon with love and learn the pinhole cast on.

Knitalong
The thread for all questions and the knitalong for this pattern can be found here: May knitalong

Yarn
Coop Knits Socks Yeah! (4ply weight; 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon; 212m per 50g skein)
Yarn A: Ammolite (102); 1 x 50g skein
Yarn B: Kunzite (106); 1 x 50g skein
Yarn C: Danburite (105); 1 x 50g skein

Needles and Notions
1 set 2.25mm [US 1] double-pointed needles or your preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round, or size needed to get correct gauge
2 Buttons for eyes (or alternative)
Stitch marker
Crochet hook (optional)
Toy stuffing

Gauge
32 sts and 33 rounds to 10cm 4in over stranded colourwork using 2.25mm needles, after washing and blocking
32 sts and 50 rounds to 10cm 4in over plain stocking stitch using 2.25mm needles, after washing and blocking
Your gauge needs to be tight enough that the filling doesn’t poke through the stitches once Alex is stuffed.

Pattern Notes
Alex is worked in a series of pieces, as seamlessly as possible. Starting from a pinhole cast on at the nose, the head is created with a series of increases radiating out from the nose, stitches are left on waste yarn and more are later cast on for the neck, before decreasing to a point at the back of the head. The neck is then picked up and worked down from these stitches, before commencing Alex’s colourwork body. The ears are worked as 2 flat pieces, joined with an applied i-cord edge. Arms and legs are worked separately before stuffing and joining to the body.

Video Tutorial
Pinhole Cast On
Applied i-cord for Alex’s ears and finishing tips