DIY T-shirt yarn rug

I made this rug last summer to be able to put legs on warm rug rather than cold floor while getting up in the morning. It is made from T-shirt yarn and I crocheted it with my fingers, because I haven't got such a big crochet hook. 

I can recommend a very good tutorial for making really good T-shirt yarn - you can find it here. Unfortunately I've found it only after the rug was done and I can say that I've definitely missed few very useful tips.

Here is the list of main mistakes I did:

1. I did not stretch the yarn after cutting it. This is a really good practice, because you are getting more straight and homogeneous yarn. This also can help to hide cutting defects.

2. I used all the T-shirt including sleeves (greediness?), so my yarn had seams and thickenings. And it was a little bit hard to cut it of same width.

3. Using fingers to crochet. Well, it is fun to try crocheting with your fingers, but it's enough to do this once. Using a hook is much more comfortable, easy and fast.

Next time I'll take into account two of those. Anyway I'm quite satisfied of the rug I have. I looks a little bit messy, but cute at the same time.

Hope you are having a good weekend. See you!

Knitted mouse blue & grey

Let me introduce you my little creation - one more knitted mouse. I used the same pattern as for my previous black and white mouse here. Actually some time have passed since I've finished this mouse. To be more specific, the mouse should be about 7 months old now. It was done as a BD present for a good friend of mine (I hope he enjoys her company :)).

The pattern is fairly easy and quick to do and the mouse (as for me) is absolutely cute. Just look at her from the different sides.

After working with this pattern for several times, I've made up few tips, that can make it a little bit easier.

 Useful tips: 

• The mouth is knitted, but it can be embroidered as well, the same for eyes. Or you can use plastic/fabric/etc. ones. This is useful if you don't like switching yarn to change color while knitting, especially on narrow parts of the pattern.
• It is better to add whiskers before stuffing the mouse's body, it allows you to fix them properly, that is much harder after the body is sewed up.

Left side:

Front-top:

Front-left:

Face:

From the top:

So you know each other now, I'm done for now.
Hope you are having a good week. See you!