Inspired by Charles Perrault’s fairy tale, Disney chose to have his version of Cinderella take place in France as an ode to the original author. In this film, released in 1950, a kind and gentle beauty named Cinderella is forced by her stepmother to work as a maid in her own house after the death of her father. Her only friends are the animals that live in the house and barn. She protects the community of mice living in the manor from the malicious cat, Lucifer, feeding the mice and making them clothes in her spare time. Two of these mice—Jaq and Gus—prove to be unlikely heroes later in the film when they retrieve the key to Cinderella’s locked attic door from her stepmother’s pocket, hauling it up multiple staircases and ultimately freeing the young girl so that she may prove she is the maiden the prince loves. Brave and true, Jaq and Gus were some of the first featured animal sidekicks to a Disney princess and have remained popular with fans since the film’s release.

Made in the round in sections, all but the ears and clothing of Cinderella’s loyal companions are worked in one piece. Starting at the neckline and working downward through the body, live stitches are set aside for the arms, left leg, and nose, then placed back on the needles to be completed later. Stitches are picked up from the original cast on and below the neckline in the front to shape their faces. Details such as eyes, hair, and embroidery are added postknitting to bring these little friends to life!