Nutcracker Mouse King Crochet Ornament

A Stitch of Story: Who Is the Mouse King?

In The Nutcracker, the Mouse King is the fearsome leader of the mouse army who emerges on Christmas Eve to challenge the Nutcracker in a magical midnight battle. With seven heads in the original tale (don’t worry—your crochet version keeps things much simpler!), he commands the mice with authority and mischief.

His role is pivotal: it’s his grand confrontation with the Nutcracker that sets the stage for Clara’s journey into the enchanted lands beyond the Christmas tree. While he may be the villain of the story, he’s undeniably iconic—and that makes him a wonderfully fun character to bring to life in yarn.

An Heirloom Set: A set of crochet Christmas ornaments would make a wonderful housewarming gift or Christmas gift, combine any of our free crochet ornament patterns to create an heirloom collection.

About the Ornament

This ornament is designed to be both charming and beginner-friendly. The Mouse King’s tiny features are carefully shaped with simple stitches, and his royal cloak adds extra personality. A jingle bell attached at the bottom adds movement and sound, making him come alive every time the tree branches sway. Whether you hang him with your Nutcracker Prince, Snow Queen, or other Nutcracker-inspired makes, he adds a unique and playful touch to any holiday display.

Jingle Bell Alternatives

If you don’t have jingle bells and can’t find them anywhere close to you, here are a few great alternatives (see photos of all options near the end of this blog post):

1. Big Yarn Pom: The cheapest alternative is to make a big yarn pom and they’re super easy to make with the help of yarn pom makers!
2. Shatterproof Ornaments (plain): Another great options is to use a small 2.5″ diameter shatterproof ornament and hot glue the crocheted character to the top of it. You can find these ornaments in dollar stores and big box stores. If you have neither, there are lots of options on Amazon too.
3. Shatterproof Ornaments (decorative): Same as option 2 above, but these are a little pricier. Amazon has several fun shatterproof ornaments that are more decorative. I think they’ll add a fun twist to the ornaments. Here are a few examples of what I’m referring to: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

• Works up quickly—perfect for gifting or last-minute décor
• Adds a classic Nutcracker character to your ornament collection
• Fun, whimsical details like his crown and cape
• Lightweight with a festive jingle bell accent
• Great for adventurous beginners and beyond

Yarn

I used Lion Brand Yarn Pound of Love & Wool Ease for my crochet jingle bell ornament. Both yarns are worsted weight. The main reason I chose these yarns is because the colors were perfect for a nutcracker crochet ornament.

Other worsted weight yarns can be substituted.

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Materials

• Yarn: Worsted Weight / 4 / Yarn, Lion Brand Yarn Pound of Love & Wool Ease were used for the samples in the photos.
  • See Pattern Notes below for exact yardage of each color.
• Crochet Hooks: G/6/4.00mm, or size needed to obtain gauge (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Crochet Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hands since switching).
• Locking Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle
• (2) 6mm black safety / craft eyes
• Hot Glue (optional for securing nutcracker to the jingle bell)
• (1) Jingle Bell 1.5″ – 2″ diameter (optional)
  • The bell in the photos is a 2″ diameter bell that I purchased from Walmart in the Christmas decor section.
  • Jingle Bell alternative: make a big yarn pom!
  • Shatterproof Ornaments: See the section “Jingle Bell Alternatives” above.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• ext sc: extended single crochet
• invsc2tog: invisible single crochet decrease
• Rnd: round
• RS: right side
• FLO: front loop only
• BLO: back loop only
• yo: yarn over
• Join yarn with a standing single crochet

Experience Level

• Easy

Gauge

• In sc with a 4.00mm crochet hook: 4 sts = 1″; 5 rows = 1.125″

Size

• One Size: 4.25″ W (hand to hand) x 4.25″ H (not including jingle bell or hanging loop)

Special Stitches

• Invisible Single Crochet Decrease (invsc2tog): Insert hook into the FLO of stitch indicated, insert hook into the FLO of the next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru all loops on hook.
• Extended Single Crochet (ext sc): Insert hook into stitch indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 1 loop on hook, yo, pull thru remaining two loops on hook.
• Join yarn with a standing single crochet: Begin with a slip knot on your hook, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook.

Pattern Notes

• Yarn Notes:  Lion Brand Yarn Pound of Love & Basic Stitch were used for the samples pictured in the photos.
• Pound of Love Yarn: 100% Premium Acrylic, (1,020 yards / 454 g / 16 oz / 932 m).
• Wool Ease:  80% acrylic / 20% wool (197 yds / 180 m / 85 g / 3 oz).
• Other comparable worsted weight yarns may be used as long as gauge is met.
• Colors & Yardage
  • Pound of Love Cherry: 13 yards
  • Pound of Love White: 1 yard
  • Pound of Love Black: 18″
  • Wool Ease Grey Heather: 15 yards
  • Wool Ease Blue Heather: 11 yards
  • Wool Ease Charcoal: 24″
  • Vanna’s Choice Mustard (gold): 6 yards
• Mouse King Crochet Ornament Construction: This jingle bell ornament is crocheted in a few pieces, then assembled. First, you’ll crochet the Mouse King’s head and add his eyes. Next, you’ll work his body and crochet his arms directly onto it. Next, you’ll crochet his sash and add details to his jacket. After that, make and attach crown and hanging loop. Then make and attach his royal cloak, add whiskers, attach his ears, stuff the body, and attach the Mouse King to the top of the jingle bell with yarn or hot glue.
• Jingle Bell Alternatives: See the section above with the title “Jingle Bell Alternatives” for a few different options.

Nutcracker Mouse King Crochet Ornament Pattern

Mouse King’s Head

Note: The Mouse King’s head is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Rnd 1 (RS): With Black yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 4 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. Switch to Grey yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of the round. (4 sts)

Rnd 2: With grey yarn, (sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st) 2 times. (6 sts)

Rnd 3: (2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 2 times. (8 sts)

Rnd 4: (sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st) 4 times. (12 sts)

Rnd 5: (2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 4 times. (16 sts)

Rnd 6: (2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts) 2 times. (20 sts)

Rnd 7: (sc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 sc in the next st) 4 times. (24 sts)

Rnds 8 – 11: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)

Rnd 12: (invsc2tog, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 6 times. (18 sts)

Attach Plastic Safety Eyes: If you’re using 6mm plastic safety eyes, we’re going to attach them before continuing on. If you’re embroidering your eyes on, you can do so later.

Stuff your mouse head, then continue on to Rnd 13.

Rnd 13: (sc in the next st, invsc2tog) 6 times. (12 sts)

Rnd 14: (invsc2tog) 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn long enough to close the last round. With a yarn needle, weave the tail of yarn through the round 14 stitches. Pull the tail of yarn to cinch closed the mouse’s head. Continue on to the Mouse’s Ears.

Mouse King’s head should measure approximately 1.75″ x 2.125″ .

Mouse Ears (Make 2)

Rnd 1 (RS): With Grey yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: (2 sc in the next st, sc in the next st) 3 times. Do not join. (9 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a 8″ tail of yarn that you’ll later use to attach the ears to the mouse’s head. Continue on to the Body.

Body

Note: Mouse’s body is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Set-Up: With Blue yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, loosely ch 12. Being careful not to twist the ch, join with a sl st to the back hump of the 1st ch to create a loop.

Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1, working into the back humps of the foundation ch, 2 sc into the first ch, sc in the next ch, (2 sc in the next ch, sc in the next ch) 5 times. Do not join. (18 sts)

Rnd 2: Sc into each of the next 3 sts, place a SM in the BLO of the next st to mark where to join yarn for the 1st arm, loosely ch 4, skip each of the next 4 sts, sc in each of the next 5 sts, place a SM in the BLO of the next st to mark where to join yarn for the 2nd arm, loosely ch 4, skip each of the next 4 sts, sc in each of the last 2 sts. Do not join. (10 sc + 2 ch-4’s)

Rnd 3: Working in both loops, sc in each sc and ch around. Do not join. (18 sts)

Rnds 4 – 6: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)

Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. Switch to gold yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of the round. Do not fasten off blue. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (18 sts)

Rnd 8: With Gold yarn, ch 1, hdc in each st around. Switch back to blue yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of the round. Fasten off gold. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (18 sts)

Rnd 9: With Blue yarn, ch 1, sc in each st around. Do not join. Switch back to working in a spiral. (18 sts)

Rnd 10: BLO sc in each st around. Do not join. (18 sts)

Rnd 11: * invsc2tog, sc in the next st, rep from * 6 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (12 sts)

Fasten off, leaving an 18″ tail of yarn for attaching the body to the jingle bell later. Continue on to the Arms.

Note: The last two rounds will be tucked up inside the mouse and help to attach him to the jingle bell.

Arms

Note: Mouse’s arms are worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Rnd 1 (RS): With Blue yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the marked st from Rnd 2 of the body, sc in each remaining st around the arm opening made in Rnd 2 of the body. Do not join. (8 sts)

Rnds 2 – 4: Sc in each st around. (8 sts)

Switch to gold yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of round 4.

Rnd 5: With Gold yarn, hdc in each st around. (8 sts)

Switch to grey yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of round 5.

Rnd 6: With Grey yarn, sc in each st around. (8 sts)

Rnd 7: Invsc2tog 4 times. (4 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn to close the tip of the hand closed. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, close the top of the hand. Tuck ends inside the arm. Repeat for the second arm. Continue on to Joining the Mouse’s Head & Body.

Joining the Mouse’s Head & Body

With an 18″ piece of grey yarn and a yarn needle, attach the mouse’s head to his body. I attached mine on the bottom of his head, just behind his eyes. See photos.

Weave in ends. Continue on to the Jacket Details.

Jacket Details

Gold Accents: With a 12″ piece of gold yarn and a yarn needle, stitch three straight lines across the chest of his jacket.

Gold Sash

Row 1 (RS): With Gold yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, crochet a chain that is 6″ long (or long enough to wrap around his shoulder to his opposite waist).

Fasten off. Trim ends. Position the sash on the mouse as shown in the photos. With a piece of gold yarn and a yarn needle, tack stitch the sash in place at the top of the shoulder and at his waist.

Mouse King’s Royal Robe

Row 1 (RS): With Red yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 14, working in the back hump of the ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Before turning to work Row 2, place a SM in the front loop of the foundation chain that the first sc of the row is worked into. Turn. (13 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 ext sc in the first st, ext sc in each st across to the last st, 2 ext sc in the last st. Turn. (15 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, ext sc in the first st and in each st across. Turn. (15 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, 2 ext sc in the first st, ext sc in each st across to the last st, 2 ext sc in the last st. Turn. (17 sts)

Rows 5 – 8: Ch 1, ext sc in the first st and in each st across. Turn. (17 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Royal Robe’s Fur Trim.

Royal Robe’s Fur Trim

Row 1 (RS): Position the royal robe as shown in the photo above, with White yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the loop marked with a SM, ch 1, sc in the same loop, * skip the next front loop, (sc, ch 1, sc) in the front loop of the next st, rep from * across, then ch 3. (14 sc + 7 ch-1’s)

Fasten off, leaving an 8″ tail of yarn. Weave in the beginning tail of yarn. Wrap the Royal Robe around the Mouse King, then with a yarn needle, attach the ending ch-3 from the fur to the opposite edge. This secures the royal robe to the Mouse King.

Crown

Note: The Crown is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Rnd 1 (RS): With Red yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 8 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (8 sts)

Rnd 2: Sc in the next st, 2 sc in each remaining st around. (15 sts) Your circle should be approximately 1.125″ diameter at this point.

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. Switch to gold yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of the round. Fasten off red. (15 sts)

Rnd 4: With Gold yarn, sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. TURN to work the next round in the opposite direction. (15 sts)

Rnd 5: Working in BLO for the entire round, * sl st in the next st, (hdc, dc, ch 2, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, dc, hdc) in the next st, rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the first st. 5 Peaks created on the crown.

Hanging Loop

With any color yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, create a chain that is 6″ long. Join with a sl st to the 1st ch.

Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn. With a yarn needle & tail of yarn, sew the hanging loop onto the top of the Mouse King’s Crown. Weave in ends. Continue on to Attaching the Crown & Mouse Ears.

Hanging Loop Alternative

You could also use a 6″ piece of ribbon as a hanging loop, instead.

Then attach it onto the top of Mouse King’s Crown, with a needle and thread.

Continue on to Attaching the Crown & Mouse Ears.

Attaching the Crown & Ears

Attaching the Crown: Position the crown as shown. With a yarn needle and tail of gold yarn, attach the crown to the top of the mouse’s head.

Attaching the Mouse Ears: With a yarn needle and tail of grey yarn, attach the mouse ears to the mouse as shown in the photo.

Continue on to Attaching the Mouse King to the Jingle Bell.

Attaching the Mouse King to the Jingle Bell

See photo collage below for jingle bell alternatives.

If you did not use your ends to stuff your Mouse King, or you feel he needs more stuffing, add batting (or yarn scraps) to his body. Don’t overstuff him or it’ll be harder to attach him to the jingle bell.

Using a yarn needle and length of yarn to secure Mouse King to the top loop of the jingle bell. Once he’s snug, secure the yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.

Note: If you struggle getting your Mouse King tightly secured on top of the jingle bell, you can glue the bottom of his body to the top of the jingle bell. I prefer to use hot glue because it sets up quickly.

Continue on to the Mouse King’s Sword.

Mouse King’s Sword

Row 1: With Dark Grey yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 10, working in the back humps of the ch, sl st in the 6th ch from your hook, sc in each of the next 3 chs, sl st in the last ch.

Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn to attach the sword to his hand. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach the sword to the Mouse King’s hand as shown.

Jingle Bell Alternatives

Add a sprinkle of holiday magic, a touch of storytelling, and a whole lot of handmade heart to your Christmas tree with the Mouse King Crochet Jingle Bell Ornament. He’s the perfect mix of regal and quirky—and a must-make for Nutcracker fans and crochet lovers alike.

Related: If you enjoyed making this Nutcracker Christmas ornament, I think you’ll love the Snowman Jingle Bell Ornament, Reindeer Jingle Bell Ornament, Gingerbread Girl Jingle Bell Ornament, Mrs. Claus Jingle Bell Ornament, and Girl Elf Jingle Bell Ornament.

More Crochet Christmas Tree Decorations You’ll Love

• Fireside Croche Christmas Baubles
• Snowman Candy Cane Holder Ornament
• Santa Boot Ornament
• Gingerbread Boy & Girl Candy Cane Holder
• Cookies for Santa Ornament

More Crochet Christmas Tree Decorations You’ll Love

• O’ Christmas Tree Crochet Hand Towel
• Reindeer Candy Cane Holder
• Gingerbread Man Crochet Hand Towel
• Crochet Gingerbread Man Hot Pad
• O’ Christmas Tree Crochet Mason Jar Cozy