Hilde AND Kris' Corner

Jen’s leaving on Thursday!!! And while the cat’s away, the mice will play!!

We (Kris and Hilde) are inviting customers, while shopping in-store, to keep eyes open for a wee little knit mouse (who’s having fun hiding). If you find him, let us know and you will receive a small gift.

Hilde's Picks

So since the cat’s away, we thought it would be fun to see what fun cat and mice themed patterns are out there! Yes - the fun is beginning! We’re getting crazy now. Ha ha!

These socks say it all - Purrfect Mischief by Sandrine Vos. (The ALK staff might be prone to a bit of mischief while Jen’s away - it could happen!) Pattern sells for about $6.84.  I love how colorful these socks are. I think Echoes by Gusto wool would be perfect for the slow color changing stripes of these socks paired with solid Heritage Cascade for the main body and cats and yarn at the top. 

Here’s a fun sweater called Polkacats by Marna Gilligan. It sells for $10.89 on Ravelry. Instead of dots, it’s cat faces!!! The pattern has both pullover or cardigan style. It’s made with fingering weight yarn. Again, Cascade Heritage would be a good choice for the solid portion, using Echoes by Gusto or Laines du Nord Watercolor sock for the faces if you wanted a graduating colored yarn. Or you could be in charge of the colors you want and use minis!

I’ve always liked this little guy and can’t fathom why I have not made him yet. Pablo the Serious Cat by Nelly Shkuro reminds us that we have to be a little serious while Jen’s away! Can’t be fun and games all the time! I just love his little scarf! His pattern is $4.99 on Ravelry and is knit up with DK weight (but stuffies can be made with any weight yarn! Just be sure to use a needle that is two sizes smaller than the suggested size on the label. The stuffie will come out a different size, but that’s ok) I think if I were to make him, I would go with Yarnalia’s Wonder, a DK weight. I tend to like acrylic for stuffies and Wonder is a nice one with a little wool mixed in.

Kris' Picks

Hi there, it's Kris, and I’m going to share with you some mice patterns.  Hilde came up with some amazing cat patterns but I think you will like the mouse ones as well. There are so many cute ones out there it was really tough narrowing it down to a few but here goes.

First up is, “Goodnight Mice” by Anna Hrachovec.  I love these cute sleeping mice in sleeping bags and Christmas stockings.  Anna describes them as, “sleepy little creatures who want to curl up and forget about the holidays, and the world in general”.  Sounds kind of like me about mid December.  These would be fun to knit up and place around your house, on your Christmas tree or even tucked under the ribbon on a gift.  The pattern is $7 on Ravelry and calls for fingering weight yarn.  A great choice would be Rainier Roses Mini Skeins, Teenie Weenie Wool (up near the register) or random bits from your stash!!

Next up is another holiday themed mouse pattern called, “Nordic Christmas Mice”.  Both Hilde and I love Nordic Scandinavian patterns, (probably because its part of our heritage) so I couldn’t resist this one. Once I saw these mice in tiny Norwegian sweaters I was a goner. The pattern is by Say! Little Hen and is approximately $8.31 on Ravelry. It calls for DK weight yarn. Ricorumi DK would be a great choice. On a side note, “Say! Little Hen” is a fun website and blog to check out.  They are a sweet yarn shop located in Queensland, Australia and they offer online classes.  I would love to visit them one day in person!  Perhaps Jen could hop over to Australia on her current trip to New Zealand and check them out…..not!

Last up is, yes, another holiday themed pattern.  Tis the season!  This one is called, “Christmas Mice Stocking” and is by Wanda Hurley and is $2 on Ravelry.  Crocheters this one’s for you.  I love the bright colors and the Mickey Mouse ears in black on the stocking. It calls for Aran weight yarn but Uptown Worsted would be a great choice.

We hope you all enjoyed these fun cat and mice patterns.  Be sure to come visit us at the shop while Jen is gone and try to find that little mouse hiding amidst the yarn and needles and get your little prize!!