Category Archives: patterns

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!

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

Crochet Scarflet – Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky

A little while ago I was asked if I would like a sample of a new yarn to try (I’m sure you can guess my answer!) and the postman duly delivered a gorgeous ball of soft sea green loveliness, Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky, a mix of 75% wool and 25% true hemp.

Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky - Sea It’s sometimes a problem to find just the right pattern to show off a sample, isn’t it? I really didn’t want to just knit a swatch to look at, I wanted a ‘thing’, and a lovely one at that. Fortunately, in the wee small hours one night, Madame Serendipity came to call and I came up with a pattern which I think ticks all the boxes.

It’s simple, it’s cosy and makes use of every scrap of the 100gms of the Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky. I couldn’t ask for more. So without further ado, just a quick Ta – DAAA… may I present my Chunky Scarflet with Pompom… Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky Scarflet …or button…or even a pin…It’s a really quick and simple weekend project suitable for all skill levels and a perfect little snuggler to pop in your handbag in case of unexpected Autumn chills. The yarn is lovely to work with and makes up very quickly. I used a 7mm hook, didn’t have any problems with splitting and the yarn is soft and light.

I am working on writing basic instructions in much the same way that I did for last year’s crochet sweater so if you are interested do let me know in the comments. The Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky yarn itself is available for pre-order from the online knitting and crochet shop Laughing Hens and there are eight fabulous colours (so maybe I need to make one to match everything I wear!)

It’s been a busy summer and I’ve missed being here but I have that September ‘New Term’ feeling coming up (does it ever go away?) and lots of things to share.

I’ll be back soon…x

Crochet Eggs for Easter

I’ve been putting all my crochet eggs in one basket this week!

crochet eggs in a basket I’ve had the whole rainbow of Planet Penny yarns in play and twiddled around until I perfected a pattern for these colourful eggs. (I can just about do them with my eyes closed now!) I’ve written a pattern, which is here… Crochet eggs close up … and played around to my heart’s content arranging the eggs in jolly ways as Easter decorations. Would you like to see?

crochet eggs on ring crochet eggs on tree tree full of crochet eggs These are the smallest flowers I’ve made and they work really well with a french knot or a bead in the centre when you stitch them on. I think they will now turn up all over the place!

Don’t forget, you can buy the whole rainbow of colours to make these crochet eggs at the Planet Penny Etsy shop, and there are other patterns there too. (Made with this yarn the eggs are about 5cm/2″ long. If you use your own choice of yarn make sure you use the appropriately sized hook, the size will vary accordingly.)

See you soon…x

Writing and Testing a Crochet Pattern

One of the aspects of writing a crochet pattern is the constant niggle in the background of accuracy.

I don’t know about you, but I rely heavily on my spell checker when I’m using a keyboard, my spelling is much worse when I’m typing (and it can be a bit erratic when I’m using a pen, I must confess!) However, that’s no help at all for typing crochet abbreviations so it’s quite a slow process. And that’s after dreaming up the idea to begin with and then making it a second time so the pattern can be recorded.

By the time you get to the point where you make the item again from what you have written down it’s hard to judge whether you have explained yourself properly. By then you know the pattern inside out!

My latest make is a granny square cushion cover using the Planet Penny Cotton Colours with Snowdrop yarn which I backed with one of the PP fat quarters – jolly red and white spottiness.

I’m very happy with it, but now there is the question of the crochet pattern, and the making up instructions, and making sure it all makes sense.

What I need are some testers, and I’m trying to work out the best way to make it work.

So…

…if you are a Planet Penny customer with a Rainbow pack of yarn who would like to make a cushion, I’ll provide the pattern, the fat quarter and a ball of Snowdrop yarn in return for trying out the pattern, giving constructive criticism, and sending photos of the finished article. How does that sound?

If you could help test the Granny Square Cushion crochet pattern I’d love to hear from you. You would need to have some crochet experience, be used to working from a pattern, have basic sewing machine skills, and be able to produce a clear photo of the finished article.

You can leave a comment, or get in touch via the contacts form with some details which will help me choose. I need 2 or 3 people to get a good cross section.

I’m really looking forward to hearing from you and hearing about your crochet pattern skills!

Everyone Needs a Crochet Skirt Guard!

Actually, I’ve only just realised that I personally need a crochet skirt guard even though I don’t know whether one would survive many journeys down our muddy lanes!

I spotted one in Mollie Makes a few weeks back in pale, subtle colours. Did you see it? Definitely not mud friendly!

Crochet Skirt Guard – Mollie Makes – issue 41

But it was a conversation I had with one of my Planet Penny customers which set me thinking…

(When you live on your own little Planet in cyberspace it’s such a treat to actually meet up with one of you lovely people out there!)

Debbie bought a pack of Planet Penny yarn when she visited for Open Studios and mentioned making a skirt guard as she left. I pleaded with her to send pictures of the finished piece.I love to see what people do with the yarn after it leaves me as I never seem to have time to be as adventurous as I would like with my own yarn.

My day was made yesterday when an email popped into my inbox with the most gorgeous picture, worthy of Country Living magazine! How fabulous is this…?

The unusual colour combination is stunning and it looks a real labour of love. Debbie used a pattern from JustDo who sells her patterns on Etsy…

Crochet Skirt Guard Pattern from JustDo on Etsy

…and had to be a bit ingenious to make it fit her own bike but it worked beautifully. Thanks Debbie, for allowing me to share, just too good to hide away!

I’ll be back soon…x