Thanks so much for all of the kind and supportive messages. I'm glad now that I didn't continue festering on in silence – that old 'a problem shared is a problem halved' adage is true. This kind of thing must happen daily to people posting images, ideas, creative writing, designs on websites all over the world. Hopefully though by sharing information and shaming the people who have no regard for right and wrong we can send a message that it's not acceptable to take what doesn't belong to you just because you can.
Just for the record I wanted to say that I wrote about this because there is no doubt in my mind that those are my images and my designs. I have however never had a problem with anyone copying any of my designs for their own pleasure, to make for their own children or to give to friends and loved ones – no problem whatsoever and I'm very happy to think that others might be inspired by something I've made. Where I do get upset and angry is when others either take my images, cut and paste my writing or make replicas of something I've made in order to sell it as their own work. I do have a problem with this because it is dishonest and quite frankly stealing.
I also want to stress that I am not laying any claim to knitted animals in general, I did not invent the idea and neither did I invent any new knitting stitches or techniques. What I did do is create a pattern with a 'look' (a signature if you will) which is distinctly mine and that is all I'm trying to hold on to. There are many, many other knitters who've created their own animal patterns which are distinct to them and I know that they would defend their rights to their own designs and rightly so. I suppose the message in essence is to go your own way, make something of yours, take inspiration from others but not the whole enchilada.
Anyway, thanks again for your very kind support and comments. A couple of people asked about my bunny egg cosy situation from earlier in the year. It is partially resolved in that Tesco took their product off the shelves following my blog post but that's all I can say for now.
Well, the weekend approaches and I'll be going into it with a smile – sharing a happy after school snack with my two lovelies, enjoying the autumn sun in the garden and thinking happy thoughts (helped out by my lovely new snack tray from ISAK which makes me smile everytime I look at it.)
Hope your weekend is a happy one and once again, thanks x
little cotton rabbits 
Hi so glad you’re feeling better about it. It must have lifted your spirits to know so many people love (and respect) your work. Look forward to seeing many more of your creations. Enjoy your weekend!:)
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You have summed up the situation perfectly with this blog post, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Wishing you and your lovelies a wonderful weekend!
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Glad you are back to smiling. 😎 have a great weekend!
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Of course they are your rabbits, and they are so unique that they stand out a mile when they are copied (and pasted).
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Your work could never be copied. It is just too lovely for anybody to be talented enough to copy it perfectly.
That tray is adorable.
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Good on you for saying what you saying. I COMPLETELY agree with you. Anyone who disagrees with you simply has no respect for people, their work, and their creativity. If only greed didn’t exist hey?! Have a nice weekend
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Hi Julie, I’m so glad sharing your thoughts on this helped. It’s what we always tell our kiddies but so often as grown-ups we try to hold on to them.
It’s pouring here in Scotland today but it’s still the weekend, am I the only one who loves that my boys are on a half day on Fridays?
Keep up the good work and have a lovely weekend!!
Ali
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Oh Julie, I am so sorry to read that this has happened once again ~ it has been a tough year for you. I know how upsetting it is to have people steal your work ~ and you are quite correct in saying that it is theft.
I do hope that you can put this behind you and continue to enjoy your knitting and the pleasure that it brings to so many people.
Big Hugs,
Marie x
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ohh – i spy happy faces – lovely biscuit!
🙂
t x
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So glad you’re feeling happier now, Julie. I hope you can have a lovely weekend with your lovelies!
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Julie
It makes me so cross to think that someone has done this. Each one of your beautiful creations has been ‘born’ with its own little personality and that is one thing that no-one can copy or take away from you. You are the better person by showing that you can rise above this.
We all love seeing your little animals and reading about your lovely family. Long may it continue. Judy x
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hey lovely, well said on both posts, glad that “airing” your thoughts helped you feel better. Not sure how they can live with the fact they have stolen something….and am sure their “customers” will realize this when they don’t receive the genuine article.
Keep up the fantastic work…and don’t let them grid you down…keep your chin up.
Take care ;o) xxx
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I love to look at your pictures and blog and enjoy them so much, thank you! Your bunny egg cosy pattern gave me so much pleasure at Easter I can’t begin to say! Please don’t abandon us because of this as it would be so sad to loose your ‘art’ even though I never seem to be quick enough to actually buy one I still love to see the finished article. Have a fab weekend, I love haveing the family around at the weekend it is lovely to just be us!
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Oooo! Biscuits!!
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Those Smiley Faces certainly lift the spirit don’t they. Yummy and the snack set is such a lovely colour.
So pleased you’re feeling better.
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In no way do you have to defend your right to be angry or to post your views on copyright infringements. You are right…if they use your images with out permission it’s stealing! We all know most folks are honorable but those that aren’t make the rest of us look and feel bad so go at it! Educating the public is a fantastic tool against copycats and, in the case of recipes and writing, plagiarists.
Enjoys a cuppa for me 😀
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Hi Julie,
You definately sound brighter today. And it does help that the weather is brighter where you are, than here in Lancashire. It`s windy and wet, which is such a shame cos it was lovely yesterday.
Have you perfected your mole design yet, he was sooo cute and would go well with Horace the Hedgehog!
Have a good weekend
Love Carole from Rossendale (Lancs) xxxxxx
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That tray would make me smile too 🙂 Glad you’re feeling brighter.
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I’m sorry this is a constant issue for you! Your work is so wonderful that it’s not a surprise peoople would covet it. I didn’t read all of the messages on the previous post and this was probably already mentioned, but publishing some of your own patterns would at least garner some compensation for you, and for a long time to come. I know you’ve addressed this and pattern writing/money is not your goal, but the idea that your art is begin stolen makes me so mad! Good luck and I’ll keep reading to see your great creations!
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Have a really super weekend Julie!
Lots of love, Lucy x
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Glad to see you are L.E.T. I.T. G.O… this is a famous spelling around our house. Letting it go can be a challenge, but first you need to let it out… Great job doing so and I don’t blame you for one second…. So glad to see your are sorting it out and taking the time to enjoy some biscuits with the kids.
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I am glad talking helped you feel better Julie, I absolutely adore your animals, I can’t wait until more are in the shop, and i am so apreciative that you have allowed us to buy some of your patterns. it is sickening to think that people like that think it is ok to steal, especially as i have just released my own first pattern (basic but i was proud). I hope Google and everyone else on your side sort out the problems for you.
Enjoy your weekend, and your jammie dodgers which i spy on that plate! (Some of my faves, such fun faces)
Georgina xx
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that tray is darling!
i understand how you must feel about having someone do such a thing, and more than once. and i totally and fully agree with you that they blatantly copied not only your signature and look but every possible thing they could copy.
i must say that i so enjoy reading your beautiful blog, looking at your pictures, seeing your gorgeous designs and knitting-and your writing! it always brightens my day.
i hope that you have a lovely weekend, dear! and that it is filled with laughs and love. my best of best wishes.
xxoo
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Sometimes we just need to vent and who better to vent to than fellow knitters and your internet fans? We know you are not trying to claim “all knitted toys and ideas” But you are right. Your designs are uniquely yours and that is why we love your web site, work and pictures..It brings a smile to our faces and inspires us to try something fun ourselves. Please take care and know that we are behind you.
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Dear Julie, I think you’ve shown enormous courage and honesty to express your distress so clearly but without vitriol. You’re a fine example of how to communicate openly and reasonably in spite of the deep emotional upset caused. I shall keep a watchful eye out for any of your animal family straying too far from home ;o)
Nic
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have a great smile this weekend. i agrre with everything you said….those knitted animals most definately have your signature. many people are not aware that you can not mass produce items from another’s pattern. it sadly happens all the time and is very frustrating to the designer/artist. thank you for making your patterns available. it is very kind of you to share your unique talent. by the way my animals never come out as nicely as yours and neither did the copycats.
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It is not nice what happened to you… I am sorry to hear about that, but glad you posted it… saddly, you wont be the first or the last… but they dont survive for long… only creative and talented people like you. have my support…. love your work…. Pls let me know if you have any toy available… really want to get one for my baby 🙂
love,
Paty
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Dear Julie, Your lovely view on life and visual imagery is so inspiring it always lifts me to view your site, I’m so sorry this is being taken advantage of. You have your family and an army of goodwill to support you.Lots of best wishes M
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YOU are a fabulous knitter!!!
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I have just come across your blog and I am entranced. I have only started blogging recently myself and I am trying to pull together a post on small projects for using up your scraps. Your little Christmas stockings and Easter eggs fit the bill because they are made from bits of cotton. I would like your permission to post 2 photos from your blog (the Christmas stocking on the tree and the Easter Eggs) with full credit to you as well as links to your blog and pattern pages.
My hope is twofold. One, this gives us wool free knitters another great idea for using up our cotton scraps and Two, it will make folks aware of your blog and patterns.
I will not post this blog until I’ve received permission from you. If you prefer I don’t use your photos, would you agree to letting me link to these patterns on your blog?
My plan would be to show your two photos side by side with this paragraph below.
“Little Cotton Rabbits is one clever blogger-knitter. Look at these darling stockings she’s created out of left over bits of pure cotton 4 ply. You can download her free pattern here . And she’s got the cutest little Easter eggs from left over Rowan Cotton which you can make from this pattern.” — all references to your blog/patterns would be linked back to you.
I hope to have some other examples of neat things to knit with scraps on this page as well.
Thanks so much for considering my request and I look forward to coming back often to visit your site — your stuff is REALLY lovely!
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Sometimes a happy biscuit and two lovelies just put everything ‘to rights’. X
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Oooo I love those biscuits! I haven’t seen them in ages! LOL!
I just went back a few posts to catch up- haven’t been around for a wee bit. Sorry!
Absolutely devastating that someone is even pinching your photo’s, let alone your designs- can’t even take their own photo’s either. Good grief! I hope you get it sorted.
I just spotted your new hedgehog design! THAT’S IT!!! You got it! LOL! Wonderful!
We are still getting lots of hogs round at night for their dinner. We get them outside the front door now as well as the back so some nights it’s like being in a hog sandwich.
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You knew we’d all be behind you 🙂
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I’m mortified that this person stole your designs and images. Your talent is uncomparable! I cannot believe that person would have the audacity to blatantly do something like that. I hope this gets resolved quickly.
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I fear this is something that we will always struggle with, thanks to the internet but you are so right to stand up for yourself and your very distinctive and beautiful designs.
xxx
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Dear Julie,
just wanted to say how inspiring your lovely blog is. Its thanks to you I’ve taken up knitting again. I must have seen your knitted cupcakes in magazine a while ago and googled for a pattern. I bought your pattern and have loved knitting them . Before that I didn’t even know about knitting blogs . What a world of fun and inspiration is out there. I’m always happy to pay for patterns and would especially love to see a pattern for the tiny slippers worn by some of your bunnies.
Please don’t be discouraged by the few dishonest people out there, most of us wouldn’t dream of stealing designs it’s just wrong .Jane
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GOOD ON YOU JULIE, GREAT YOUR HAPPY AGAIN.
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Julie, your work is exquisite and unique. I knitted a wool Mummy Bunny from a pattern book when our first grandchild, Maura Kate, was born, and the bunny turned out just lovely. But I plan to go to your sales site today and buy a member of the “little cotton rabbit” family for Maura’s first birthday. No substitutes! (I believe this will become a traditional birthday gift, so I hope you will knit bunnies and other charming creatures for many more years!)
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Big Hug from Minnesota (USA).
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Hi Julie
I don’t know if it makes a difference to you. I’ve checked out “that” person’s site and left a comment on her blog about her thieving.
You’re right, she’s copied stuff off many people’s blogs. Which is a little sad cuz that says just how much originality counts to her. But for you, nothing can replace the joy & fulfillment you’ve received from your labor- that I know, no one can steal.
Finally i hope that you won’t be consumed by the thought of revenge or anything like that. Hope you can forgive this person. God bless you heaps! Love, judy
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I am very sorry to hear about all of this… Artist, such as yourself, should inspire others and not have to worry about someone stealing their “art”. I looked at the “fake” and it just does not have the “look” of yours and therefore, also, not the love that goes into your animals. It was a poor attempt at trying to replicate all that you put into your craft. I love your animals and feel that they are truly yours and no others would compare. You inspire me to “do my own thing” and be creative in my attemps of crochet and knitting and my passion of sewing… thank you.
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