Episode 188: An Orcadian Hare and a Christmas Pig |

[@trudymeyer430]

My country is in turmoil these days. To be able to spend a few minutes with you, your hubby, your wooly family, your music, your travels, is a special time. Thank you for all of these. I smile. Don’t mean to be a “downer” but you make things better. 🐭🐰

[@elizabethrutledge8182]

Hello Trudy- I’m very sorry to hear that you’re having a difficult time in your country 😢 that must impact greatly on your everyday lives! I know that it doesn’t exactly help you but rest assured that there are many of us who have had the good fortune to be born in a peaceful place who are thinking of you and sending you love and best wishes for a better future xx

[@ic7505]

Helen’s world is always a relaxing safe space. I hope you are safe. Sending love from 🇨🇦

[@mousiemakespod]

Trudy, I am very glad that I can make things better for you in this small way - I can't imagine how hard life must be for you and it's lovely that you can find places here on KZbin that bring you some special moments. xx

[@estherrubin867]

I’m not sure if we’re living in the same country, but mine is certainly in turmoil now, too. I have just sat down with my knitting to enjoy time with Helen and to settle my jangled nerves. I’m completely inspired now to knit a bunny Odile, as I have the pattern and some special yarn that I think will make a wonderful bunny.

[@elizabethrutledge8182]

@@estherrubin867 Best wishes for your situation to improve Esther 🥰

[@penelopeschinwag]

Hi Helen, firstly the music you composed - such contrasts in it. A heavy heart leaving and the lovely trilly bits where your heart is bursting with the memories of the holiday. What a joy your campervan is to you enabling you to have these lovely trips away. A piece of music dedicated to him would be good, solid and trustworthy and adventurous! Sorry I've got carried away. Rognvald is of course another wonderful addition to the family and such a wonderful reminder of the day seeing the hares. I was so excited to see so many in Scotland too but so easily forgotten. Rognvald will always be there as a reminder of a wonderful holiday. And yes, so gentle, made with balls of wool that weren't designed for him but made him come together so well. Thanks for a lovely episode. xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Hi Pene - you have definitely picked up on the feelings that I tried to convey in the Orkney Farewell piece - thank you! I love your idea of a piece dedicated to the campervan! Rognvald will definitely represent the joy that we felt at being in Orkney. xx

[@itsanomadslife]

Thankyou helen as you know i appreciate your cosy craft corner i find it so relaxing and calming 😊❤

[@mousiemakespod]

@@itsanomadslife Thank you, Nikki! I’m glad you enjoy spending a bit of your time with me! ❤️

[@suehillman7189]

I love Rognvald and Uncle Sven. They are adorable.xxx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Sue! x

[@mandyhague6363]

The hare and the pig that you’ve made are lovely.👍🧶 It was so nice to see all the flowers you saw on Orkney. 😊🌸🌺🌼

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you Mandy - my pleasure! x

[@margaretgreen9062]

You never disappoint Helen. Thank you so much, love the animals and your lovely piano playing. ❤❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Margaret - I am very happy that I can share these things with you! xx

[@missapippin9020]

Rognvald does look so gentle. I absolutely adore Uncle Sven. He is just so beautiful. I love pigs they are so clever and intelligent. What a lovely podcast thank you ❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - you're very welcome! x

[@JanetStandridge-d2h]

Hi Helen, I love the bunny hare, he is so huggable and very dapper. Your music was breathtaking and the flowers were so pretty. I really love all your wooly friends, they are fabulous and always brings a smile. Thank you so much!!!🐰❤️🐰

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - you are very welcome indeed! x

[@pamjones3377]

Wonderful new woolly members of your family, pretty new music composed, too. I always look forward to your new videos, Helen. You must spend a lot of time putting them together, but I hope you know how much we love it all! Thank you so much. Xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Pam. I do spend quite a lot of my time making videos - but it's just another hobby which I enjoy, and it's lovely to know that my time is well spent! xx

[@Flumbo87]

Just wanted to say how very much I enjoy these quiet, peaceful videos, seeing your crafts, sharing your travels, and having an oasis of calm. Thank you.

[@mousiemakespod]

@@Flumbo87 Thank you, Claire, for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment! I love the idea of being an oasis of calm. ❤️

[@gingermolinero8386]

Helen your vlogs have such a comforting feeling to them. Thank you so much. Wishing you a good rest of summer

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - my pleasure! x

[@EvieO1950]

Cute little hare! Lovely flowers!! Thanks!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Evelyn! x

[@adadevries8461]

I love your videos,Helen! Thank you for sharing this. The Orcadian Hare and the pig in a blanket are lovely! 😍

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Ada - it's my pleasure! 💕

[@ColleenGoldsmith-n7m]

Hi ! Helen, Lovely to see you again. You really do help to make my day brighter. I love seeing all your beauiful animals you make. I enjoy both knitting and sewing animals, mostly bunnies. Really enjoy the trips you and Phil take us on. Really so interesting always and the piano playing just absolutely amazing. Thanks once again for another lovely video. Enjoy your week. 💕 Colleen 🇿🇦

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Colleen - I'm so happy to know that I am able to brighten your day! And I love having a place where I can use my piano playing skills to entertain! Have a lovely week xx

[@jankitteringham8483]

Yet another amazing and thoroughly enjoyable video Helen. I think Rognvald is an excellent addition to your family. Wonderful Thankyou. 🥰🇬🇧

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Jan - thanks for stopping by again! x

[@joyofthings]

Rognvald is so huggable, he looks like the type of hare that’s full of love.xxx🐝🐝🐝

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Linda - he certainly seems a very loving, gentle character! xxx

[@leslieannportlock257]

Lovely Helen as always crafts and your photos, video of Orkney beautiful flowers. Plus the hairy caterpillar. And I love you piano playing, cheers me up no end. Thank you take care. ❤❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Leslie - you are very welcome indeed! xx

[@christinebrown6154]

Lovely episode. Loved all the wild flowers & your music is so beautiful. Thank you Helen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Christine! I'm glad you enjoyed the flowers accompanied by my piano music xx

[@GillianMcGee-eh9hs]

Hello Helen, Rognvald is adorable, love his little nose and your little piggy in a blanket is so cute. Thank you for taking the time to make your videos they give me so much pleasure.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Gillian - I love to know that my videos provide such pleasure! x

[@maureenlehman139]

Helen your vlogs are the highlight of my day. I love to knit toys….I’m always excited to see what your working on. The toys are awesome!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Maureen! And it's lovely to have toy making in common! x

[@megangilchrist4203]

Absolutely wonderful..love your exquisitely made animals..I adore pigs and have collected them since I was a girl...X☘️

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Megan! Pigs definitely have a special "something" about them! x

[@pamelageoghegan8859]

Great to see you again, Helen. The hare and pig are so "squishable" and cute. I love the piano music at the end. Thank you for sharing your many talents in such a cheerful and unassuming way. Hope you have a good week. x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Pamela - I am just glad that you enjoy watching and listening! Wishing you a lovely week. x

[@Hellen-pf7ts]

Thank you Helen for another lovely podcast, your rabbity hare and Uncle Sven the pig are brilliant! I love the stories you put to them. The Farewell to Orkney piece of music was magical, thank you so much for sharing all this good stuff with us 😊

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Hellen - you are very welcome indeed! x

[@helendeacon7637]

Rognvald is definitely a climber, he and Sven will be great friends and keep Matthew and Rose mesmerised for sure😘 Your 'Orkney Farewell' was delightful accompaniment to the beautiful and hardy Scottish flora. Lovely Mousealong backstories, loved Edgar Allen Purr 🐱Thank you, Helen.❤🥀

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Helen - I'm so glad you enjoyed all of the things that I shared today! x

[@patchymel1]

Beautiful new members of your family Helen, I can see Uncle Svens Viking heritage in his appearance. I loved your floral inclusion from your recent trips. When we are away in our motorhome I love seeing the different flowers in new areas visited and often come home with lots of photos. Have a good week x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you! It's lovely to know that you enjoy taking photos of all the beautiful flowers when you're away on your travels! Wishing you a lovely week x

[@strawberrypatches8742]

Dear Helen, What a joy to the ears and eyes! So loved spending time in your company, as always. The flowers are so cheerful and the music you wrote is so appropriate and lovely! You did it again, you are inspiring me to make more wooly friends! It's that time of year again, I guess! I recently did a wee tail surgery and almost cast on a piggie - you Sven and Rabbit with a hard to remember name are so adorable that I need to make more now too! Thank you as always for this lovely video and your comapny. Take good care of yourself, Love from New Zealand, Marina

[@mousiemakespod]

Hi Marina and thank you! I know what you mean about the rabbity-hare's name!! 😂 I saw your tail surgery on Instagram - it looked excellent! I have just cast on a cowl so that I can join in with your cowl along - I will show that in my next podcast. Sending love from Durham! xx

[@lisamcclure8770]

What a lovely podcast. I loved your rabbit and the socks. Flowers at the end were just beautiful.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lisa! You are very welcome x

[@craftdipper]

Aw, Helen, that last scene of the sea and rocks ąnd flowers was simply stunning ❤ I LOVED the hairy caterpillar!😂 Your "Orkney Farewell" was sooo beautiful 🎶👌💖 What sweet toys you showed us today, with delightful names, too. Thank you for another lovely episode, Helen. Xoxo

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Shirley. Wasn't that furry caterpillar just great? I'm so glad that you enjoyed the piano music - and meeting the latest woolly friends! xx

[@ASmileAdayful]

Perfect in every way❤ ty

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - it's my pleasure! x

[@heathertucker7056]

Rognveld is just adorable and I just love his long ears! You’ve also done a wonderful job with Uncle Sven! It was interesting to hear about your thoughts on using acrylic yarn for your knitted families too! Thanks you for the lovely video and your piano music which I love . Take care x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Heather - it's my pleasure! x

[@heatherwood756]

Love your new animal friends! The end clip with the flowers and music is beautiful.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Heather! x

[@lenorerhodes8110]

Lovely makes Helen. The flowers were also lovely and the scenery. I love listening to your piano music, absolutely beautiful. ❤️🌺

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lenore - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! xx

[@elizabethrutledge8182]

Just lovely dear Helen ❤ I enjoyed seeing your new friends and I hope that they become great friends with all your other animals! The flowers on Orkney looked so pretty and so resilient to the strong winds- I love the music you composed Helen- the bass sounds just like the drone of the bagpipes 😊 I hope you have a wonderful week xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Elizabeth. The animals in the craft room always seem very welcoming to newcomers! I was amazed at how the flowers in Orkney stood up to the strong winds! I'm glad you enjoyed the piano piece, too. Wishing you a lovely week xx

[@shadowsatmidnight]

Oh Helen, you have such a beautiful soul ♡ I have re-watched this again this evening with my husband as I just knew he would love your newest friends. He did adore the little sausage pig, it would look so cute on a Christmas tree wouldn't it! However the other two are just fabulous, I can't get over how cute and regal they both are at the same time. I love being in your world surrounded by the stories. It's a wonderful place to be. Hope you're feeling better again soon xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you so much, Kayleigh - and I'm glad that your husband enjoyed watching, too! I agree - I think I will add a hanging loop to the mini sausage pig. Handmade woolly friends always seem to project their characters onto my imagination! And thanks - I hope so too! xx

[@susanpharoah8996]

Good evening Helen, thank you for a lovely jolly video, I thoroughly enjoyed it, gorgeous music too. All best wishes to you ❤❤❤❤

[@mousiemakespod]

@@susanpharoah8996 Thank you Susan - it was my pleasure to share these things with you! ❤️🤗

[@michellehenderson2773]

Another lovely podcast Helen and some new family members OMG I love them❤❤beautiful Orkney ❤ see you next week x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Michelle - I was very happy to introduce you to the new woolly friends! x

[@IngridConno]

Love you new creations🤍 we enjoyed the flowers on Orkney (and Shetland) too. No trees but full of colors on the ground! Thank you for sharing! I love starting the week with you😘

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Ingrid. I remember seeing your Orkney photos of all the flowers - lots of beautiful colours blowing in the wind! 🤗💕

[@DawnsDays]

Thanks so much for the shout out Helen but really not necessary, I was just happy to be able to support 😘😘 Love all your latest makes, especially Sven although I expected you to say he was Danish 🤣🤣🤣 Lovely to spend my first official morning off work with you doing a spot of crochet 😁😘😘

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Dawn - I love being able to mention you and couldn't pass up on this opportunity! And your support was very much appreciated. I am sure that some of Uncle Sven's ancestors probably lived in Denmark...😂 Enjoy your relaxation time! xx💕🤗

[@carolewinstead8270]

Lovely cozy visit. Your new craft room friends are so sweet. I loved the part of the video with the flowers of Orkney and your original music. You are so talented!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Carole. I'm very glad you enjoyed the flowers and piano accompaniment! x

[@barbarawatson691]

Hello Helen , your hare is absolutely fabulous, your socks are a lovely mix of colours. Thanks for sharing😂

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Barbara - you are very welcome! x

[@Kathy-ml6yu]

Thank you very much for another wonderful video! The new family members are adorable. Uncle Sven's blanket is beautiful and I always enjoy your piano music. Two more mice have joined me since the mouse a long. I am sure you understand how mice can multiply!😅 😮

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Kathy - it's my pleasure! I'm very glad to hear that your mouse family is increasing in size - they do seem to multiply very easily! 😂💕

[@lesleycollinson1975]

Really lovely music for the video. Thank you for sharing it.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lesley! x

[@karenk380]

Your hare turned out so good considering your wool challenges. His little nose and mouth are so sweet. I love him so much. But he needs to be careful climbing trees! Sven is fabulous too. How interesting the difference the acrylic makes. I love his blanket too. The button seems appropriately viking-like. I enjoyed The Orkney farewell music and video. So many pretty flowers. Some are the same and others similar here. But I'm sure I don't have sea pinks. Or red campion. What a great color. Thanks for sharing. 🤗🙂

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Karen! I think Rognvald was a bit shy of that duck in the garden and thought he'd view him from above - I'll have to keep an eye on him in future! 😉 I was very pleased to come across that perfect button for Uncle Sven's blanket! I'm very glad you enjoyed the piano piece and the flowers. xx

[@tammyintiaras]

Hello Helen. What a lovely day to start Monday life is about Learning Helen.Dont be hard on yourself self. All of your people are lovely and would understand. I know I would ! So many beautiful mice 💕another lovely episode. Lots of love from across the pond. God bless 💕❤️🙏🥰🇦🇺🐭

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Tammy - I'm glad to give you a lovely start to your week! I think it's important to share the things which go wrong as much as the things that don't! 💕🤗

[@margarethastings3332]

Rognvald is adorable in his onesie and socks. And he’s so big and cuddly! I have a bunny Odile halfway done… I need to get the poor thing out and finish her. Knitting her in 4ply and silk mohair. But I keep getting distracted by knitting socks. Lovely to see all those hardy little flowers blooming in such harsh conditions. Your musical tribute to Orkney was just beautiful. ❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Margaret! I am the other way round - I start socks, then get distracted by casting on another animal! 😂Your bunny Odile will be beautiful made from 4-ply combined with mohair. I'm glad you enjoyed the piano piece, too. x

[@rachelknight1064]

I really enjoyed this episode Helen - love the new animal family members and their back stories. I am late watching this week as by 7.30 a.m. on Monday morning, my 3 little granddaughters arrived for the day, eager to sew, paint, crochet and play piano (except for youngest who felt poorly). I watched and listened to your wonderful music composition whilst sewing in ends on a blanket - I now need to watch again! (We think we can multi-task, but don't give full attention to anything when we do! 🤣) Look forward to your next video. Thank you Helen.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Rachel! It sounds like you had rather a busy day yesterday! I know what you mean about multi-tasking - I am much better when I concentrate on one thing at a time (or maybe two...) xx

[@deniseengel1451]

I love your additions to the family. Here in the U.S. the pigs in a blanket are usually wrapped in a biscuit dough rather than bacon.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Denise. Your pigs in blankets sound quite different to ours! x

[@judithstonier9872]

Rognvaldturned out lovely, the evolution you started him with had the texture of hand spun wool which can be unpredictable and always needs a tension square to get the corrctneedle size, my late husband and I were both hand spinners and part of our small craft business was selling items I made from the wool he spun, I made a Pig in a Blanket a few years ago for on of my daughters as it's a family joke that they are her favourite part of Christmas Dinner ! 😊❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Judith. A tension square would definitely have been helpful in this instance - you're right in recognising that it was handspun yarn and I just loved the texture it created for Rognvald - and in the end, it all worked out okay! I think pigs in blankets are definitely one of my favourite parts of a Christmas dinner too! x💕

[@christineo4934]

Lovely Helen your musical piece "Farewell to Orkney" is simply beautiful... my new favourite in fact. You are truly gifted my lovely x Now as for Rognvald, I am somewhat smitten. He is adorable and what a beautiful reminder of your lovely holiday. Oh my, doesn't every family need an Uncle Sven? I can just see him sitting in the corner at family gatherings with a captive audience hanging on every word 😂 Take care and thank you for always filling my cup with pure sunshine 💛

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Christine - I am so glad that you enjoyed my newest piano piece! And the latest knitted friends are just so good at bringing a bit of sunshine into the world! x💕

[@wendylinsdell3681]

Hello Helen , I do love both of your new friends but I think Rognvald is my favourite , his smile is so cute and I understand why you will keep him for yourself , he will take you back to all the beautiful place you visited on your Orkney trip , the music you composed is beautiful and relaxing .

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Wendy - yes, the gentle Rognvald will be a lovely reminder of happy times on Orkney! I'm glad you enjoyed the music, too. x

[@jenniferwatson6094]

Oh Helen I am in awe of your knitting skills of toys. I can’t get my head around toys all in one piece! Your white hare is so adorable . It was fun seeing a selection of the mousiemakes mice and their background stories. I was very chuffed to see my mouse project bag . Yes I made up the pattern and ‘Nibbles’ stores my toy making (pieced) endeavours. We are away at present in our caravan, by the seaside in Northern NSW and I think of you in your van travelling far and wide composing beautiful music.😊X

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Jennifer! I hope that you are having a wonderful time away! x

[@lindashields5939]

Hi Helen. So lovely to see you again and have a bit of a catch-up. Rognvald is gorgeous! What a lovely addition to your knitted family. It is so interesting that in the UK pigs-in-a-blanket is a mini sausage wrapped in bacon. In the US the little sausages are wrapped in dough. Bacon sounds like a lovely “blanket”. I loved your “Orkney Farewell”. Thank you! Until next time. Salam wa sa’aadah

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank, Linda. That is an interesting different. The US pigs in blankets sounds a bit like our "sausage roll" - sausage wrapped in pastry. I'm glad you enjoyed the music! x

[@carolynfowler3133]

Thank you Helen! I love how invested you continue to be in the mouse mal, but can only imagine the energy that that takes. I participated because you and the project resonated with me, but I have gleaned so much more from your compassion to your viewers. Funny side note - I have literally never won an entrance contest of any sort, it is actually a family joke, so I never enter anything with the thought of winning just a wish to participate. Actually rather liberating! Anyway, thank you for your kind heart and welcoming such a kind community. P.S. my daughter teases me incessantly regarding my love of woolly wool, boy my she would absolutely adore Rognvald! Happy crafting/travels! (Our rather large dog Willow is an Old English Sheepdog that I clip short as travelling in a camper van with a hairy dog that may get wet is not the most pleasant situation. 😂 ) Also of note is the amazing comments and support that your followers give each other. ❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Carolyn - I'm so glad that you feel so welcome here. There are lots of really lovely people who comment - and, as you say, support each other, too. I loved seeing your photos with Willow - I can understand why he needs a good haircut before he's allowed to go away with you in the camper van - I can just imagine what he would otherwise be like on a wet day! 😂💕

[@LillyandTheBee]

Hi Helen, this was just what I needed whilst getting ready for work after a week off.😊 I love the new additions to your knitted friends, Sven is my favourite. I would love to visit Orkney it looks beautiful, thanks for sharing ❤ xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lilly. It's always hard going back to work after a holiday! I hope that you manage to get to Orkney one day! xx

[@shariwitt1977]

Oh Helen! Your composition of Orkney Farewell is a stunning and absolutely gorgeous song, Bravo! You really are amazing to be able to make all the wonderful and charming things that you do, and then to be able to create and perform a truly outstanding composition - it is really amazing! Your talents have no end! I love Rognvold the Gentle rabbity hare. He has the sweetest face and you can tell he is a gentle soul. Little pig in a blanket and Uncle pig in a blanket are very special too. The flowers are all so beautiful blowing in the Orkney wind. So many of them are new to me. It is exciting to see new flowers that I have never seen before. Thank you so much for this great video, and I hope that you will share your song again and again. I honestly could listen to you play for hours, and I wish I had a CD of your playing to listen to whenever I want. You should receive some sort of award for this one. Have a wonderful week my friend! With love.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Shari - I am so glad that I could share my latest piano piece with you - I will definitely use it again (including in one of the Orkney videos of course!). I'm so glad you enjoyed the flowers that the music accompanied - and meeting my new woolly friends, too! Warmest wishes xx

[@kittykatsknitplace69]

Sweet Bunny & Pig in a blanket, lovely flowers of Orkney I also follow Claire of Sorcha and Lilac who lives in Orkney great trip Thanks for sharing hugs

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - you are very welcome! And thank you for the recommendation! x

[@sandrachilds7229]

Helen, the music you composed is beautiful.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you so much, Sandra! x

[@shirleylee3172]

Hi Helen brilliant podcast love your pigs and rabbit hare you must make a children's book your stories are magical and come to life with the characters you make thank you for making my day ❤❤❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Shirley. These lovely animals just seem to spark our imaginations! I need to spend a bit of time writing some more stories down, I think! x 💕

[@ShelleyRooney-kt7zr]

Hi Helen, I'm crazy over the idea of pigs in blankets, so now there's another project to add to my ever growing list! Of course before we reached that point, I'd already added a hare! As ever, I enjoyed this visit to your craft room and lovely garden, thanks for making me smile 😊xx

[@mousiemakespod]

@@ShelleyRooney-kt7zr Thank you Shelley! Oh dear, more things to add to your Things to Make list! 😂 KZbin is very good (or bad!😂) at putting ideas into our heads…!! xx

[@andreaelsworth557]

Such beautiful music Helen. Thank you for all you share with us. Watching you is a treat and helps me get through the working week. My mam is a follower too and loves your podcast. ❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Andrea - I'm very glad you enjoy spending time here - and please say "hi" to your mum from me! xx

[@j_filippo]

Lovely episode Helen.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - you are very welcome! x

[@pip-woollycwtches]

Hi Helen. I really like the bumpyness in the wool of your rabbit. It looks like fur. And oh his romper is soo cute. It reminded me of the old fashioned underwear men use to wear with the flap at the back 🙊😂😂. It amazes me the delicate looking flowers you find on the edge of cliffs and in amongst gorse. Thank you for sharing x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Pip! Yes, I rather like the lumpy look of Rognvald's fur! And I know just what you mean about the underwear with a flap at the back 😂 Flowers are just quite incredible things! x

[@celestegarcia486]

Hello Helen! Nice to see you! Loved seeing and meeting your recently made rabbit and pig (Sven) friends. They are adorable! Also the clip of the flowers you have seen in your area recently is beautiful. The little fuzzy caterpillar made me smile - we are getting some beautiful butterflies and moths here now and it is interesting and amazing to see how they looked before they metamorphosed into the lovely colorful creatures with wings. All the best from Oregon.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Celeste. I was very glad to introduce you to the new woolly friends! Butterflies and moths really are fascinating, seeing the stages they go through before they reach their final form. xx

[@Bearstedbears]

Oh Helen you are such a talented lady! Your knitting, music, story-telling and video-making are just exquisite. I love spending some time on a Monday morning with you and your “woolly family”. I would love to make one myself but not sure if my knitting skills are up to them yet. I shall see if I can find a little tutorial on here for her patterns. Will be taking a look at the piggy make-a-long. Your new woolly friends are adorable. X.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lesley - I'm glad to have introduced you to my newest woolly friends! I'm not sure if anyone has done any tutorials but the patterns are really very well written and explained. I hope you join in with the piggy makealong! x

[@twopencehalfpenny]

I so enjoy your videos. This tim I wasreally loving the Mice an the other animasl an dloved the Orkney flowers . Isn't it amazing how plants grow so well in nature yet don't want to grow in our planted gardens 😀

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you! I agree - the plants out in nature do so well just left to their own devices! x

[@joysedgwick812]

I am sure I heard Rognvald, when he was in the tree scanning the horizon, planning to sneak into the camper van for your next trip 😊. He’s adorable Helen. I’m interested in how the different yarn completely changes the size of the finished animal, thank you, maybe that’s why my cardigan from a vintage pattern failed so badly!! Lovely start to my week as ever.

[@mousiemakespod]

Hmm, I had a feeling that Rognvald might be planning something like that! 😉I agree, it's fascinating how different yarns can produce such different sizes and effects! Thank you, Joy x

[@lostinsomerset6002]

I love your music at the end 😊

[@mousiemakespod]

@@lostinsomerset6002 Thank you! ❤️

[@suedavies8565]

I’ve just finished Bunny Odile - I have had the pattern for an age - I absolutely adore her, she has such a cute face and expression. I have been thinking about making her a companion but was a bit stumped on what to dress him in - well I just love your version of the ‘pyjamas’ so when I’ve finished Mooche and maybe Billie the raccoon I might just be casting on another rabbity - hare. Thank you Helen - oh and then the pigs!

[@mousiemakespod]

It's a gorgeous pattern, isn't it? Glad to hear that you are thoroughly enjoying building your own family of woolly friends! Thank you, Sue. x

[@angelaholcroft4515]

Dear Helen. I've watched this video again before this weeks. The reason being, I can't find the comment I made. Sure I made one, musn't have sent it. Blame my foggy brain! Both animals look like gentle giants. Also, I love your zebra socks. Saving this weeks until later. Ill have quiet hour later watching you and Pene. Xxx

[@mousiemakespod]

Hi Angela, I know the feeling of foggy brain! I think you're right about the two latet animals being like gentle giants. And I know that my sister will love the zebra socks! Take care and have a nice gentle week. xx

[@SessionMom]

Love your hare! He's so beautiful with his friendly face. I love all your animal makes. I only know basic knitting stitches. I wonder if I could learn to master making lovely animals. Surely would love to. BTW pigs in a blanket in the States are cocktail hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls and baked in the oven.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you! One of my other viewers was only a beginner knitter but was so determined to make her own knitted animals that she has gradually learned lots of new techniques - so I'm sure you could do that, too! I didn't know that about pigs in blankets in the US - thank you! x

[@SessionMom]

​@@mousiemakespodthank you for that encouragement. The only way to find out is to try. Sounds like I'll start a new hobby.

[@linbourne8731]

I think Ragnvald definitely looks more like a hare and is lovely. What a wonderful display of wild flowers from your Orkney trip and a very appropriate piece of music to accompany it. I did feel a little sorry for your miniature pig in a blanket as he did look slightly too authentic 😕😋xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lin - I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the things I shared today. I chuckled at the thought of the miniature pig looking a little too authentic... he'd better stay our of the kitchen I think! 😂xx

[@TracyKNixon]

Helen, your bunny Odile is so cute! I have knit a few of these bunnies in both fingering and sport weight yarns and love them. You have inspired me to knit a bunny in dk yarn! I love Cinthia"s smaller toys but who can resist a larger toy whom you can get a real hug from!?

[@mousiemakespod]

Thanks Tracy! I am rather taking a liking to these larger-sized animals, even though I usually prefer making small things! 💕🤗

[@maureen4669]

Thank you, Helen, for another really enjoyable podcast. It was so useful to hear your experience of using acrylic for toys. I generally use acrylic (blanket leftovers!) for toys and that's what I used for Drusilla, my Dickensian snowballing mouse in your Mousealong. However, I've bought a Rowland Rownd owl kit from Wee County Yarns - that will give me some experience with wool and also Fair Isle technique - I'm very much a beginner. Not sure if you've seen Rowland - he's a companion to Harold Fatmus.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Maureen. I haven't made the Rowland Rownd Owl but I bought a kit to give to someone as a gift - someone who is new to the Fair Isle technique - I think it will be a good project to start on! x

[@ic7505]

Hello Helen. That seemed a jam packed video. Firstly (or lastly lol) the Farewell music was beautiful. It felt sad in a way but I guess farewells are sad. The flowers were beautiful and the wee furry thing - I had wondered what he was - so he becomes a butterfly ? Amazing! You’ve been busy making new friends - I don’t know where you find the time :). You did a great job combining wool for the rabbity hare, he looked very good in his skin, and his pj’s look like a onesie - he does look gentle. You are a great story teller - have you ever thought of writing children’s books? I think you would be really good at that. You’ve done that on here I believe, quite a wee bit. Something to think about. Another lovely video my friend 🥰🤗

[@mousiemakespod]

@@ic7505 Hi Isabel, you picked up perfectly on the Farewell piece - as we sailed away from Orkney on our recent trip, I felt quite tearful. So this music was trying to express both the beauty of Orkney and my sadness on leaving it. Wasn’t the wee furry friend amazing? I don’t quite know how these woolly friends seem to appear so frequently 😂😉 xx

[@lindaapplegate4559]

Thanks for the lovely podcast, Helen. I love your composition. Is there a list of your videos and the music titles you have composed within them? It’s amazing the size difference in your animal friends. How do you determine the needle size?

[@mousiemakespod]

Thanks, Linda - you are very welcome! Although I have many lists, I don't think I have actually made one of videos that contain my own compositions... I will take a look... In the first place, choosing a needle size was simply guesswork but with experience, I now have a good idea of what size I need to use... although, when making Rognvald, I could definitely have done with a bigger size. xx