February already how did that happen?

Wow so we are already half way through February time seems to be flying by.
The New Year seems like a distant memory and spring is on the horizon.

So I came up with a plan for this year to try new things, new techniques and skills, work through WIPs, open and do the craft kits that I have brought over the years.

I aim to do at least one thing every month :)

So I have made a really good start with January and starting February being all about yarn.

I have been able to do basic knitting for years but this year I have decided to stretch myself and make things other than erm squares and scarf's and the Owl mug warmer in Mollie Makes issue 21 seemed like the perfect way to start:

I am really pleased with the result and this was my first cable knit :) Mr Mouse then spotted the wrist warmers in the same magazine that had the same owl and asked if I could knit him a pair.

Now this called for a new skill - knitting in the round. In the past I would simply have asked my Mum to help me but she is no longer here. But with the help of a really clear book that I was given for my birthday (I have awesome friends) and finding some knitting that my Mum had started to practice on I worked out how to do it.

So here are my first ever wrist warmers:

Mr Mouse loves them, though I do have to confess that the pattern confused me as for the left hand glove the instructions were just to reverse the pattern which was not a lot of help to a newbie but I found the instructions here. I did managed to miss out a row so the owl is a little miss formed on the left one, but they were made with love and that's what counts.

Still on a knitting theme I have also finished Mr Mouses Christmas present, the pieces where sat in a box waiting for me to have time to sew them together.

Its a nice big knitting blankie that he can wrap around himself.

The other yarn adventures have been all about crochet. I wonderful lady taught me the basics and from then on instructions in books became so much clearer and I decided it was time to tackle some actual patterns which then meant I had to learn the American terms and become crochet bilingual (have to confess that sometimes the American terms for the stitches make much more sense to me).

I just love making these roses:

They are available to purchase Rose Brooches are £8.50 and a single stemmed rose is £14 and can be found in my shops on etsy and folksy.

I have also made myself some rather fab leg warmers

With really cute button detail:

I have lots of exciting things lined up and look forwards to sharing.

Love Mouse
xx

Knitted Snuggle

Another one of my Snuggle blanket post.


This is a knitted snuggle - a great way to use up all that wool. 


Now I am not the worlds best knitter - I am slowly learning. I was taught to knit when I was little but my Mum despaired that I could not grasp holding the needles properly (still cant) and well she was not always the best teacher (tending to get grumpy and take over). But the basics casting on/off, knit, purl, decrease and now increase I can do. 


This took me a few years of knitting to create - one because I am a slow knitter and two because I was doing lots of things in-between.


It is the perfect size for one side of a double bed - and before you ask that was on purpose. I completed it as a Christmas present for Mr Mouse a few years ago (Mr Mouse gets colder than me, hence the size. He needed an extra blanket just on his side on the bed).

Its also a hit with Ferd

And like all my snuggles it is backed with fleece.


My other snuggle posts can be found here and here. If you would like me to make you a snuggle leave a comment or email me littlemouselilly@live.co.uk or contact me via Etsy or Twitter (see side menu for link).


I can make them from your own special material (eg special but worn out jammies, kid clothes etc) or I can raid my stash and if you are happy to wait a little while I will even knit you one (I am getting quicker at knitting) :)

Photo A Day - Day 17

Today's theme was texture

Can you guess what it is?


After most of the day I think that I am being a little mean with this one, its not very obvious what it is. So here's a full picture of it:

My Cat Uli kept stealing the fluffy ball of blue wool from my knitting bag, he was also partial to the pink. Even closing the zip wouldn't stop him and I spent endless mornings untangling it from around the house so I decided to knit him his very own toy. He even has a knitted cuddle blankie that he used to carry around with him. Uli says that he is far too grown up for toys now (but he still has the occasional play when he thinks no one is looking).