A Mouse for My Mum

Hi! I hope you've been having a crafty month so far. I've been working on several projects in the last few weeks but mainly I wanted to make Olivia Mouse from The Animal Friends of Pica Pau 3.

Ok, so you may know if you follow me on Instagram that she isn't the first (and certainly won't be the last) creation I've made from that amazing book. When I saw her I just knew I wanted to gift her to my mum for mother's day.

The first challenge was trying to work out what yarn to use. I had some lovely aran left over from a blanket I'd made last year, but I didn't have it in enough colours to make the whole thing.

So I switched tactics and chose some of the Bambino yarn I had left from when I made a Roo for my little nephew.

It's super soft and just the right mousey shade.

I really must try and get some 10mm eyes though as that is what is recommended for Yan's patterns and I have had some trouble getting hold of them.

I think the smaller ones are okay but I'd love to use the ones suggested in future makes.

Here she was really starting to take shape. The head and body were made in one piece and I love the technique that many artists use to add the legs it looks so much more seamless than sewing them on separately.

I made the bloomers next, however, I had a bit of trouble as I don't think I used the same size hook as Yan so I had to adjust the pattern until they fit. It was a bit tricky but I love a challenge.

The dress was the next part. I chose a mint blue and a bright turquoise to contrast as I didn't have any darker shade as in the book, but I still think it worked really well don't you?

I love how Yan adds little details like the puff stitches on the dress, the button on the back, and the frill on the bloomers. There are some more intermediate-level instructions when constructing something like the dress but once you can confidently read a pattern it is fairly self-explanatory.

The last piece of Olivia's pattern was the cape. I thought it looked blue in the picture but apparently, it is grey. No matter though as I wanted to use a darker blue to match the dress.

Olivia's back story is that she wants to be a detective and I really think the cape gives her that appearance. Yan creates two little holes for the arms to go through and then it ties at the front around her neck.

I really enjoyed making Olivia Mouse. She took about a week here and there (I don't have too much time to crochet these days) and I think my mum really liked her too which is always the end goal!

Are you planning on making Olivia Mouse soon? Or has another animal friend taken your fancy? The problem I have is I just can't decide who to make next. So far I've made Olivia Mouse, Alberto Seagull, Heratio Polar Bear, Angelica Whale, and Gilbert Rabbit.

I can't wait to make some more soon!