Free Amigurumi Crochet Rat Bookmark Pattern

Pattern Description:

This pattern creates the Amigurumi Crochet Rat Bookmark, known as the “Book-Rat”. This particularly helpful and well-read rat is often found in books. 

The bookmark is crocheted using chain stitches, single crochet stitches (sc), half double crochet stitches, and slip stitches in both spiral rounds and rows. 

The rat remains faithful to the books, helping to fight dog-ears and remember your last read page.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

Category	Item/Detail
Yarn & Colors	Yarn: “Schachenmayr Catania” yarn (100% Cotton, Meterage: 125 m, Yarn Ball Weight: 50 g, Yarn Weight: Sport – 5ply / Fine (2)).
	Colors (Gray Rat): black, white, beige, grey (using specific Catania shades like Soft Apricot (263) and Stone (242) for the head/body).
	Colors (Brown Rat): black, white, rose, light brown (using specific Catania shades like Taupe (254) and Old Rose (408) for the head/body).
Tools	Crochet Hook: 2.5 mm Crochet Hook.
	Polyfill.
	Scissors (e.g., Elegant Crane Design shears are suggested).
	Tapestry Needle.
	Stitch Marker.
Measurements	Finished Length: The depicted amigurumi rat has a length of 37 cm.

Abbreviations Used:

• ch – Chain
• sc – Single Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• inc – Increase
• dec – Decrease
• Rnd – Round
• R – Row
• st – Stitch

Instructions for Making the Amigurumi Crochet Rat Bookmark Pattern:

Crochet the Rat Head

The Rat Head is crocheted in spiral Rnds using sc. Begin with the lighter color (Soft Apricot or Old Rose).

• Rnd 1: Crochet 6 sc into the Magic Ring (6 stitches).
• Rnd 2: Repeat [1 sc, 1 inc] until the end of the Rnd (9 stitches).
• Rnd 3: Repeat [1 sc, 1 dec] until the end of the Rnd (6 stitches).
• Rnd 4: Change color to the main body color (Stone or Taupe). Repeat [1 sc, 1 inc] until the end of the Rnd (9 stitches).
• Rnd 5: Crochet 1 sc, 1 inc, then repeat [2 sc, 1 inc] 2 times, followed by 1 sc (12 stitches).
• Rnd 6: Repeat [3 sc, 1 inc] until the end of the Rnd (15 stitches).
• Rnd 7: Repeat [6 sc, 1 inc] 2 times, followed by 1 sc (17 stitches).
• Rnd 8: Repeat [7 sc, 1 inc] 2 times, followed by 1 sc (19 stitches).
• Rnd 9: Repeat [8 sc, 1 inc] 2 times, followed by 1 sc (21 stitches).
• Rnd 10: Repeat [9 sc, 1 inc] 2 times, followed by 1 sc (23 stitches).
• Rnds 11-15: Crochet 5 Rnds, with 23 sc in each Rnd (23 stitches).
• Rnd 16: Repeat [6 sc, 1 dec] 2 times, followed by 5 sc, and then 1 dec (20 stitches).
• Rnd 17: Repeat [3 sc, 1 dec] until the end of the Rnd (16 stitches).
• Rnd 18 (Closing): Fill the head with Polyfill.

To close the opening, press the opening of the head together so the stitch rows lay parallel to each other. Push the hook through the next stitch and the stitch directly opposite (but not the last stitch you crocheted), yarn over, pull through both stitches, and crochet 1 sc. Continue this method to crochet all opposing stitches together with 1 sc, except for the first and last stitch. The head is closed with a total of 7 sc.

Crochet the Rat Body

Continue crocheting the body in rows (R) using Stone or Taupe.

• R 1: Crochet 1 turning ch, 1 inc, 5 sc, 1 inc (9 stitches).
• R 2: Crochet 1 turning ch, 1 inc, 7 sc, 1 inc (11 stitches).
• R 3: Crochet the 1st leg (see instructions below), then 11 sc on the body, then crochet the 2nd leg (see instructions below).
• R 4: Crochet 11 sc on the body (11 stitches).
• R 5: Crochet 1 turning ch, 1 inc, 9 sc, 1 inc (13 stitches).
• R 6-58: Crochet 53 R, where each R consists of 1 turning ch and 13 sc (13 stitches). The number of these rows can be increased or decreased if a shorter or longer bookmark is desired.
• R 59: Turn without a turning ch, 12 sc (12 stitches).
• R 60: Turn without a turning ch, 11 sc (11 stitches).
• R 61: Crochet the 3rd leg, then 11 sc on the body, then crochet the 4th leg.
• R 62: Crochet 11 sc on the body (11 stitches).
• R 63: Turn without a turning ch, 10 sc (10 stitches).
• R 64: Turn without a turning ch, 9 sc (9 stitches).
• R 65 (Tail): Turn without a turning ch, crochet 4 sl st. Immediately crochet the tail: change color to Soft Apricot or Old Rose, make 36 ch, then crochet 1 sc into the 2nd stitch from the hook, followed by 24 sc, and 10 hdc. Change color back to Stone or Taupe, then make 4 sl st on the body (8 stitches).
• Finish: Fasten off the yarn and weave in and hide any leftover yarn.

Crochet the Rat Legs (4x)

Crochet all 4 legs using the two body colors (Stone and Soft Apricot or Taupe and Old Rose) without cutting the yarn. When changing colors, pick up the yarn from where it was last left lying.

• R 1: Crochet 12 ch. Change color to Soft Apricot or Old Rose. Repeat [6 ch, 1 sc, 4 sl st] 4 times. To shape the paw, push the hook through the stitch to the left of the last crocheted toe, yarn over, and pull through. Repeat this action for all further stitches between the toes until there are 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
• R 2: Pick up the main body color thread (Stone or Taupe). Crochet 12 sc along the chain. Return to R 3 or R 61 of the body.

Crochet the Rat Ears (2x)

Crochet 2 ears in spiral Rnds, alternating the two body colors, starting with Soft Apricot or Old Rose.

• Rnd 1: Crochet 5 sc into the Magic Ring (5 stitches).
• Rnd 2: Repeat [1 inc] until the end of the Rnd (10 stitches).
• Rnd 3: Repeat [1 sc, 1 inc] until the end of the Rnd (15 stitches).
• Rnd 4: Change color to Stone or Taupe, then crochet 1 sc, 1 inc, repeat [2 sc, 1 inc] 4 times, and finish with 1 sc (20 stitches).
• Finish: Cut the yarn generously, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Crochet the Rat Eyes (2x)

Crochet 2 eyes in spiral Rnds using White yarn.

• Rnd 1: Crochet 5 sc into the Magic Ring (5 stitches).
• Rnd 2: Repeat [1 inc] until the end of the Rnd (10 stitches).
• Rnd 3: Crochet 10 sc (10 stitches).
• Rnd 4: Crochet only 2 sc.
• Finish: Cut the yarn generously, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembling the Rat

• Pupils: Use a Black thread to form a circle, just as if making a basic knot. Wind one end of the thread 3 times through the circle and tighten the knot. Using a tapestry needle, pull both ends of the thread through the center of the eye. Fasten the ends on the inside of the eye with several knots to ensure the pupil cannot slip through the middle.
• Eyes: Sew the eyes to the head after the 6th stitch R following the nose. They should be sewn with a distance of 1 stitch between them at the narrowest point.
• Ears: Sew the ears to the head 11 stitch Rs after the nose. The distance between the ears should be 1 to 2 stitches. If the eyes have already been sewn on, sew the ears 2 stitch Rs after the eyes, maintaining a distance of 1 to 2 stitches between them.