Category Archives: Knitting

Blogtober 2022 – the end, with free mice!

I can’t believe how quickly the month has flown by. Compared to a lot of people I’ve been seeing out on social media who have been blogging daily, I’ve been pretty rubbish! But I’m actually counting my efforts as a personal success. I’m getting back the blogging mindset, and it’s lovely to have contact with people in this way. I’ve been digging around in the archives, very dusty and cobwebby with a lot of mice scurrying around!

So, I’ve decided to celebrate by sharing the mouse patterns today. The crochet mice pattern is the one which started me off as a business, over ten years ago. A complete fluke, but I ran with it!

clock_with_crochet_mice

At the time I had a shock when it was discovered by an American craft site and 7,500 copies of the pattern were downloaded for free in one day! After that I put it on my online shop. But since I don’t have the shop anymore, I’d still like to share the pattern, so here it is.

And by popular demand I later created a knitted version so the knitters among you can have their own mice as well…

Knitted Rainbow Mice made with Planet Penny Cotton

which you can find here…

I really hope you enjoy them. Although I can no longer supply the cotton yarn there seems to be a lot of rainbow packs available online these days. I wonder, did I start a trend?! When I was hunting for yarn thirteen years ago it was impossible to find all the colours I wanted from one brand, which is why I ended up finding a European supplier and starting my own business. There are lots of colours available from Love Crafts and also Hobbii to name just two.

I’d really love to know if you use the patterns to create your own multicolour mischief of mice, they make great stocking fillers!

I’ll be back soon…x

A Postcard from Wales

Hello, my lovelies!  I hope you’ve had a wonderful Easter break and didn’t eat too much chocolate. We did…I feel a spot of dieting will be in order after our hols.

As my iPad is on hand, and the Wifi isn’t too bad, I’m writing my latest post in sunny Wales and share some of my holiday snaps. It’s so beautiful here.  This is the view from the conservatory of the cottage we are staying in.With the door open, all you can hear is the sound of birdsong, interspersed with chickens, the cockerel, geese and ducks and occasionally, Dylan the sheepdog. Over the hill there are sheep……and lambs!  I’m afraid I’m just a bit soppy about lambs but I don’t think Higgins would be too impressed if I took one home.The hills been rather a strain on my poor flatlander legs but we’ve found some beautiful places to walk and my head is filled with the colours of Spring.  This time of year there are so so many shades of green as the new leaves start to open, and Wales is particularly blessed with spring flowers.  The fields are golden with the bees’ favourite, dandelions and the woods are carpeted with bluebells.  I’ve never seen so many wood anenomes which spring up along the roadside… …and the gardens are full of blossom.Having decided that my latest crochet project was too big to bring, it was absolutely necessary for me to find a yarn shop (or two) for supplies to keep me busy in the evenings.  So, I started with some super chunky and a pair of e-NOR-mous needles which was super fast to knit…Which meant an expedition to find another wool shop (I have a long suffering husband!) Abergavenny came up trumps with The Wool Croft, and an irresistible half price offer on this gorgeous Louisa Harding wool/silk blend…There are so many different hues in this yarn, every row has a different flavour!

I’ll be home next week, feeling refreshed and full of ideas so I’m looking forward to being back here with you.

Cosy Wool from Cosywool!

Cosywool Comforts…

Cosywool - knittingCosy wool is just the ticket for the cooler autumnal days and in my last post I gave you a tantalising glimpse of my latest project.  As I’ve said before, I’m a bit of a butterfly with my makes so I love something which can be whistled up in a few days with great satisfaction.  It’s even better when I don’t have to stir from the comfort of my armchair, but just order on line!

So my lovely yarn came direct from Cosywool who, with the relaunch of their website,  had the brilliant idea of vacuum packing the yarn before shipping.Cosywool vacuumed packed yarnThis makes it small enough to go through the letter box which means no hanging around for the postman, and it’s weatherproof and animalproof (ideal if you have a dog like Higgins who thinks all parcels are addressed to him!)

I wasn’t sure at first, imagining it might look sad and squashed when it arrived but in fact it bounced straight out of the wrapping looking as fluffy as ever. (And vacuum packing has the added bonus of making your yarn stash look far smaller than it actually is!) Sirdar Click Chunky - CosywoolThe yarn is Sirdar Click Chunky, an acrylic/wool mix in warm Apple Red and I used Sirdar Pattern 76144, also available from Cosywool.  It’s described as a snood but it’s more of a snuggly collar to fill in the neck of a jacket; in a simple two row pattern which makes a gorgeous texture.Snood - CosywoolThis time of year I’m always on the look out for quick, easy and stylish makes for unique Christmas gifts, and I am determined be on top of the present list for once.  I’ve a feeling I shall be working my way through the colour range on Cosywool for my present list!

Ooh, I’ve just mentioned the C*******s word…  I’m really sorry if you are not ready to hear it, or are you planning ahead with lots of knitting, crocheting and sewing in mind?  If you would like to share your ideas, please do, you might just inspire us all with the very thing for a tricky relative!

I shall be back this Friday with a Blog Hop, which I’m very excited about.  Do join me then…x

Autumn Planning – looking ahead

Hello…and Happy Sunday!  I hope the weather is being kind wherever you are.  Here in Norfolk we are presently bathed in beautiful Autumn sunshine, which is trying very hard to dry up the huge downpour an hour ago.  But it’s warm, the doors are open, Higgins is sunning himself and all’s right with the world…well on Planet Penny anyway.

Looking back over the blog I find I’m usually a bit moany around this time of year and I realise it’s not the autumn I don’t like because it can be beautiful.  The colours and the angle of the light.  The misty mornings and sparkling dew on the leaves.  It’s looking ahead to the lack of light that lowers my mood.  I find it really hard when the sun sets ever earlier rises later and later, and the clouds don’t lift all day.

So I’m autumn planning,  determined to find lots to do, and lots to share and to try to keep motivated this time round.  I hope you’ll join me!

So here’s a little glimpse of what Higgins and I have been enjoying on our dog walks this week…Mini dachshund in autumn planningAs you can see…he’s just a blur!

So many gorgeous colours and textures…Autumn Colours - autumn planningWe’re going to keep enjoying it for as long as we can! Autumn sunsetSo, coming up, I’m going to show you some cosy knitting in a fabulous autumn colour…autumn planning - knittingand an irresistible fabric purchase from my favourite shop, Arts Desire.

And on Friday I shall be taking part in a Blog Hop with Sew and So …here’s a little clue!Autumn planning blog hopI’ll leave you with some winners.  The TWO lucky winners of the fabulous crochet book from this post are Susan and Julie.  I wish I could send everyone a copy though, thank you all so much for entering the competition.

And if you didn’t win the book, there is still a chance to win the lovely Happy Crocheting bag on the newsletter.  Just subscribe via the yellow button below to take part.

See you soon…x

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The Complete Beginners Guide to Knitting

If you’ve always wanted to knit but don’t know where to start, or if you have a friend or family member begging to be taught, this handy infographic sent to me by Clippers Ireland, The Complete Beginners Guide to Knitting might just be what you are looking for!

(And it’s pink!)

beginners-guide-to-knitting-clippers-ireland-infographic6inchYou might have to zoom in a bit, but I hope you find it useful.

I’m away for a few days now, off to the seaside, (hooray!) so I’ll be packing my crochet and my knitting to keep me busy.

I’ll be back soon…x

Planet Penny Cotton Colours – Ice Cream Shades

Those of you who signed up for the newsletter will know that the new Planet Penny Cotton Colours Ice Cream Shades selection is now available in the Etsy shop.  And despite the ensuing flurry of of orders I’m pleased to say there are still some packs available!
Planet Penny Colours Ice Cream Shades

I’ve really enjoyed playing with this new palette of colours, especially as I have got just a little bit obsessed with making these gorgeous crochet roses from the Frank & Olive Crochet CAL.  It’s a super simple pattern, and if you would like to join in you can help Ruby with her wedding flowers! 

Planet Penny Cotton Colours Ice Cream shadesThe yarn is exactly the same super quality as the Planet Penny Cotton Colours Rainbow Shades, a lightweight DK, and the packs of 10 different Ice Cream colours in 50g balls is £26.00.  It comes with a 3mm crochet hook, which I recommend if you are making amigurumi and need a denser stitch.  For blankets, throws etc I use a 3.5mm hook or knitting needles.

Find it in the Etsy shop right HERE

I’m off to work on the second new collection, a Pastel rainbow this time.  It’s going to be soo pretty for baby things, and with a new baby for the family putting in an appearance in the Autumn I’m going to have fun with it.

I hope you love the new Planet Penny Cotton Colours as much as I do…

I’ll be back soon…x

 



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