Keeping Busy

How's everyone doing? Keeping busy and getting ready for the festive season? Started you shopping yet, or are you making most of your presents this year? Like I am.

There is lots going on in the Lyvit house, with school concerts and events to go to, normal daily routines, as well as creating wonderful gifts in the hope they will be loved by their recipients. Obviously I cannot show too much here of what I am making as I would like to keep it a surprise.  If you follow me over on Instagram though you may have had a sneak peak of a few.

Can you tell what they are? That's right they are three Dobby house elves from the wonderful world of Harry Potter. I found the pattern on Ravelry originally but it's available free here. I originally made one of these last July for my friends birthday, and a few people saw it and loved it so much they requested one for Christmas. I love making amigurumi for people, especially when I now it will be loved and enjoyed. The only trouble is no matter what I make someone in the house sees it and requests one for them too! Especially Mr Lyvit, his wish list is long enough to keep me busy for years. Oh well!

Again any followers on Instagram may have seen a Christmas wishes hashtag and repost happening. It started last year as a way of passing on some joy and happiness to those within the yarn community. #Getyouryarnwishesgranted is great fun to be part of and has seen me gift patterns on Ravelry, crochet some Christmas ornaments for someone's tree and sending sock yarn to someone in need.

 

Bauble pattern

Angel pattern

I have thoroughly enjoyed granting wishes and would have been quite happy with just that. However part of the 'game' is to repost the picture and ask for a wish or two of our own. I have been very lucky to be promised some Harry Potter stitch markers, a project bag, a DPN holder and several patterns from my wish list on Ravelry. I feel so lucky. Thank you. I must admit the kind, helpful, generous nature of the yarn community does amaze me every day. It's so wonderful to have places to chat, encourage and enable each other, and despite the miles we have become friends. Perfect medicine for a little bit of sanity in this crazy world. Right?

Let me know what you have been up to and how you are getting ready for the festivities.

Mrs L
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Hello all, how are you doing? I know, I know I have used the C word but in all honesty we should all be at least planning what to make or buy by now. I will probably rouse lots of what..no..far too earlies, but I actually started my planning in August. But then I do plan on making as many gifts this year as I can. Mad ain't I!

We have a rather large extended family between us and I like to give at least something small so they all know they are thought of, especially at this time of year. My list of planned projects spans a whopping 2 sides of A4 lined paper. I haven't counted them up, but let's just say it's a lot. Thankfully a fair few are amigurumi toys, which I love to make. The therapeutic spiralling and speed each part appears, combined with no two toys being the same and each with it's own character. It only takes a head to be sewn on slightly tilted or the eyes to be closer together and the appearance is changed.

I obviously cannot show in too much detail projects that have been made despite this being a new blog. There still is a small chance a family member will decide what I have to say is worth the time. For this reason I will have to do a round up post towards the end of the year, otherwise known as a pic heavy post.

But I have chosen to show you these cute little bees I made for Thing 3's teachers. She is currently in year 4 (she is 8) and in the Busy Bees class, hence choosing these beautiful creatures to crochet. I scoured the wonderful site of Ravelry and came across these two patterns, bee 1 and 2, both free patterns and beautifully written. Thing 3 decided four keyring bees were needed for the teaching assistants and 1 larger bee for the main teacher. What do you think?

The second finished item I wanted to show you isn't an actual festive gift, but rather a useful item made for fun. Sound intriguing? Go on admit it you want to know.

It's a washable dishcloth or washcloth, made using the wonderful Lily's Sugar 'n' Cream cotton yarn in the Peace colourway. I followed another beautiful pattern from Ravelry, and made it with a hidden 'nerdy' message. Can you spot it?

That's right! It's the Deathly Hallows symbol, from Harry Potter. I was inspired to make this firstly by being part of the Dishcloth patterns group on Ravelry. Each month every member can sign up for a swap with a partner, anywhere in the world. I was paired with a lovely lady in Kent so went searching through my previously favourited patterns. The second reason I was inspired to make this particular pattern was another group I'm a member of. The very active HPKCHC group or Harry Potter Knit Crochet House Cup. This group and four sister groups are run 100% by volunteers around the world and are filled by hundreds of like minded fans of the wonderful series of books and films. In short the idea behind the group is a game where you craft items of your choice, to fit prompts for each class. You are sorted into one of the houses and are rewarded points for your house, per submission. I have found being a part of this wonderful game a great motivator, for attacking that A4 list of projects that have a deadline. It's also opened up my world and hopefully made me a few friends. Well worth a trip over and an explore!

Right I think I have waffled on long enough. If you have made it this far and are still awake well done and thank you. I am truly grateful for every reader. Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me what you thought. Also if you do pop over to Ravelry and want to say hi I'm MrsLyvit over there.

Thank you again. Speak soon
Mrs L
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Hello and Welcome!

Hello.

I have been inspired by a few bloggers, like Sandra at Cherry Heart, and Sam at Betty Makes to create my own little corner of sanity in the world. I'm guessing the best place to start in this first post is to tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Mary, and I'm currently 34. I live in southern Cornwall, England with my wonderful hubby (Mr Lyvit), our three amazing children and our black and white Dutch rabbit. Mr Lyvit also blogs and writes books as a hobby, although I'm sure he would love to do it full time. His information can be found here. Thing 1 is currently a 15 year old boy (that is he is currently 15) who is studying hard and practicing his musical creative side in the hopes of pursuing a career in it. Thing 2 is currently an 11 year old girl who, amongst many other talents, is following in her Mum's footsteps into the world of yarn. She has even picked up some fleece and a spindle from Stitchfest SW 2017 to have a go at creating her own squishy to work with! Thing 3 is currently an 8 year old girl and is also very creative but is yet to find her niche.

I'm a self taught, with the help of the likes of YouTube, knitter and crocheter. I'm usually left handed but have found although I crochet using my left hand I can use my right if needed, as well as knitting right handed. I have found I have learnt this way out of necessity when following patterns and learning new techniques. Any one else ambidextrous when crafting?

I took up crochet originally as a way of helping me stay sane in this crazy crazy world. Due to health issues I often have several days if not weeks where I cannot do much other than sit on the sofa. Obviously there are the hundreds of channels and box sets to watch on TV but I have never been one for sitting still and doing nothing. I find my brain just needs to be active. Therefore I bought myself a hook and some cheap yarn to learn with. I think all those years ago my first ever project was a simple granny square I used as a coaster for a while. I was hooked (pun intended) and haven't looked back since. I enjoy all things yarn related, but I especially enjoy crochet blankets and amigurumi or stuffies as they can be known.



I'm hoping to use this blog to record regularly my works in progress, or WIPs, my finished items or FO, and any general information pertinent to yarn. It would be lovely to meet and chat with fellow crafters too, particularly those using yarn. What would you like to see? Anything you would like to know?

Mrs L
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