This pattern is for a Mix & Match Hamster holding a piece of food… you can choose from 2 head designs, 3 body designs and 3 pieces of food to make a whole range of hamsters from a single pattern. The head and body are made in one piece joining the arms and legs as you go, so it involves minimal sewing (just attaching the ears and adding the facial details)!

The pattern contains lots of photos to help you every step of the way. It is written in English, using American crochet terms. All of my patterns have been independently tested prior to publication.

You will need:

Yarn of your choice. Yarn weight doesn’t really matter - the size of your project will simply turn out bigger or smaller! I used Stylecraft Special Aran yarn for this project (equivalent to light worsted weight) and my finished hamsters measure approximately 10cm tall. Please ensure that you use the same weight yarn throughout the entire project.

For a hamster with a plain head & plain body, holding a slice of carrot you will need the following colours / quantities:

• Pink - for the hands, feet and nose, I used shade ‘pale rose’ (approx. 5m).
• Main Colour - for the head, body, arms & ears, I used shade ‘camel’ (approx. 32m).
• Orange - for the slice of carrot, I used shade ‘spice’ (approx. 4m).

For a hamster with a two-tone head, pale tummy & plain back, holding a peanut you will need the following colours / quantities:

• Pink - for the hands, feet and nose, I used shade ‘pale rose’ (approx. 5m).
• Pale colour - for the lower half of the face & the tummy, I used white (approx. 9.5m).
• Main Colour - for the head, body, arms & ears, I used shade ‘copper’ (approx. 23m).
• Beige - for the peanut, I used shade ‘camel’ (approx. 3.5m).

For a hamster with a two-tone head, pale tummy & banded back, holding a sunflower seed, you will need the following colours / quantities:

• Pink - for the hands, feet and nose, I used shade ‘pale rose’ (approx. 5m).
• Pale colour - for the lower face, tummy, arms & bands on the back, I used white (approx. 21m).
• Main Colour - for the upper face, back & ears, I used shade ‘mocha’ (approx. 16m).
• Dark Brown - for the sunflower seed (approx. 2.5m).
• Cream - for the sunflower seed (approx. 0.75m).

PLEASE NOTE = The amount of yarn used will vary according to yarn weight, hook size and stitch tension so these measurements are only a rough guide and are based on using aran (light worsted) weight yarn with a 4mm hook.

You will also need:

• A suitable size hook for the yarn you have chosen - I used a 4mm hook.
• 6mm black safety eyes.
• Some toy stuffing.
• Some clear nylon thread for adding the whiskers.
• Some small super strong magnets for inside the hands (this is optional depending on the age of the intended recipient). I used magnets that were 9mm in diameter and 3mm deep. Otherwise you could use clear plastic press studs / snap fasteners to enable your hamster to hold its food. I used ‘hemline’ press studs that were 7mm in diameter.
• A metal brush (such as a pet brush) if you want to make your hamster fluffy (this is optional).
• Other tools you will need are a tapestry needle, some pins, scissors and some stitch markers.

You are welcome to sell the items that you make using this pattern, but please do not sell / share the pattern itself.
Thank you.