Crochet Mouse Tube

So we got each of the younger kids 2 mice for pets. They were doing fine for a while, but the boys have gotten restless as the weather warms and now there is usually one little guy stuck sleeping out in the open while the other hogs the nice comfy bed, so I decided to make a mouse tube for each of them.

It has been a while since I pulled out a crochet hook, I've become addicted to knitting, but for this project I wanted to go back to the classic method since it would be easier to add the pipe cleaner stabilizer to it.  Keep in mind, I do not write patterns, I am not the least bit skilled at writing patterns, and this is more for me in case I decide to make another one, but I figured I would share it with everyone else in case someone wants to try for themselves.

So, here it goes...

Crochet Mouse Tube

1. With US I crochet hook and cotton yarn, cast on 22-25 stitches (or whatever size you like, these guys are smaller and I wanted to make it cuddly but you can make a larger one if you like,) join to make a circle.

2. Single crochet one row.

3. Make a pipe cleaner ring the size of the circle and attach by single crocheting around it. (yes I am a lefty.)

     

4-6. Single crochet for next 3 rows.

7-8. {Single crochet 5 stitches, add 1 stitch} around for 2 rows.

9-10. Single crochet for next 2 rows.

11-12. {Single crochet 5 stitches, join 2 stitches into 1} around for 2 rows.

NOTE - At this point you can continue to do a decrease row every other row and make an Igloo, or if you have aggressive mice like mine, continue with the tube pattern and give whoever is inside a back door to escape.

13-16. Single crochet for next 4 rows, bind off and weave in tail.

Some action shots: