It was school half term break here last week, so there were a lot of wood walks in our schedule and not much knitting going on. Today however with the children back at school I'm happily playing with wool again and carrying on working on the next couple of patterns to share. I mentioned the elephants in the previous post so you know that the patterns for those are coming up but I thought I'd give you a glimpse of a little part of the other pattern I'm currently working on.
Back in Autumn I began to pull together my various sweater designs with the idea that they will form a collection along the same lines as the 'seasonal dresses' pattern. My plan is to include plenty of different options for the animals to wear throughout the year and most will be based on the designs that you might have seen on the finished animals that I make (skull, pumpkin, aran sweater etc.). I also wanted to play around with a little reversible sweater/cardigan.
When I'm trying something new I like to experiment with a variety of increase methods and I try out different stitch and row counts and various arrangements of stitches for front, back and sleeves etc. all of which means that I build up quite a collection of samples…
The samples that I knitted up last year are all in left-over sock yarns and the Rowan wool cotton 4ply that I've used on the bunny and fox patterns but I couldn't wait to try out that lovely Jamieson and Smith yarn that I showed you in January and I really like how it works up and the lovely range of colours. There is also a basket full of other sweater designs that I'm working on but I'll show you that another time.
So that's what will be coming up soonish on the pattern front. I'm still knitting samples to photograph and test knitting the final versions of everything so it will be a few weeks yet before the patterns will be finished but I'll keep you all posted when they are ready to share.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying having my own little colourful rainbow of sweaters to look at. Mind you there is a lot more colour in the days just lately. It seems spring has arrived as our plum tree is beginning to blossom.
It's lovely to see the blue sky again and we even had some sunny garden time over the half term break which made Toby a very happy boy. And speaking of happy, I am because my butterfly has flown from the open window, hopefully out into a spring that is here to stay.
What's colourful and happy with you at the moment, do please share 🙂
little cotton rabbits 
You are simply amazing. My life dream is to meet you and give you a hug. You brought a lot of sunshine into my world through knitting little animals. Thank you. Looking forward to all your impeccable patterns. Give your sweet kids a hug I love seeing them grow. Thanks Julie.
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Good Afternoon Julie… Truly amazing array of dazzling colour of the most cute wee cardigan/sweater collection.. you are an inspiration to many, I am so very excited about all the new patterns soon available …..what a lovely photo of your plum tree our plum tree is in blossom too and the apple trees have buds on them too, along with some lovely blue sky, spring is on the way…lots of love and hugs to you and your family XX 🙂
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love all your mini colourful sweaters!!!!!
happy to know that Spring is almost there!!!!!
xxxxxx Ale
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Cute little cardigans Julie. I especially love the brown/turquoise mix. Xx
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Ohmygosh — you have blooms on your tree — we still have snow on the ground and it’s -10C outside this morning — now you’ll have me dreaming of spring!
Those little sweaters are adorable! I’m getting closer to bunnytime — with the help of Bonnie (City Home Country Home) I’ve purchased some yarns. I’m gathering my courage (and wrapping up other knitting) LOL. By the time I get ready to purchase your patterns, you’ll have so many out I’ll have a big bill! (And Well Worth It, I might add!)
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O they are so sweet! Lovely! I love youre patterns! Coming saterday I’ll post a message about you! Come check it out! Love Lisanne
http://www.draadenpraat.blogspot.nl
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It sounds like you have been very busy knitting as well as keeping the kids busy during the break. I can’t wait to see what you have come up and I can’t wait to purchase your next toy pattern/clothing…. Keep up the great work you do!
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My goal this spring is to get my first rabbit knit! You are such an inspiration!
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I can’t wait to see your garden this year! I know you’ve got some fantastic space. I’m glad Toby is happy, makes life so much easier. Since we moved, I’ve really been missing my old yard, not the work mind you, but the colors, the textures and the animals.
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Be still my beating heart…..those little cardigans are so cute, is there anything better than tiny clothes!! Jamieson & Smith yarn is beautiful and such a variety of colours too, it’s also very well priced for pure wool, I think!
I always look forward to your plum blossom Julie, a sure sign that spring is very near! 🙂
Enjoy your colour and thanks for sharing it with us,
V xxx
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Those little sweaters are darling! I love color! I have enjoyed waking up to a sky that is a little bit lighter now in the mornings. Not pitch dark still. I do believe spring is coming!! I noticed in my flower beds that there are little green heads starting to peak out of the dirt as my bulbs are coming forth.
Our weather here has not been typical February weather. It has been warm and sunny which I love but with the drought we are having, not good. Meanwhile, further north, my parents in Montana are being snowed under. Tons of snow and freezing temperatures. So odd to think that just ten hours north of me, the weather is completely different.
Another fun thing I’ve taken notice is the birds. The birds are starting to come back and when I am outside, I can hear them singing. It’s lovely.
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These cardi’s are lovely! My lot have been asking if they could have a jacket or cardi for the bunnies over the winter. They will be thrilled when I show them this picture when they get home from school. Thanks so much for sharing your colourful patterns with us. They are so easy to follow too! xxx
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I love your mini sweaters and wait patiently for the day the pattern is available.
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I’m smiling at a picture of lots of teeny cardis. Aren’t blogs wonderful?
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i just gifted all my leftover sock yarn after finishing the sockyarn blanket (for the 3rd time! yikes!!!)….and of course, now I’m kicking myself for giving it ALL away. Such adorable little sweaters. Guess I need to get busy knitting socks again—to add to the leftovers!!! thanks for inspiration
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Oh Julie I can’t wait for the pattern they are so beautiful :)x
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oh Julie those are just gorgeous! I am more determined than ever to improve my knitting enough to make an animal to dress!
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I am in love ! What a truly beautiful rainbow of tiny cardigans. You are so talented Julie and such an inspiration. Wow, and wow again.
Keep enjoying the sunshine,
Kate x
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Those little sweaters are wonderful , you have so much patience . Looking forward to spring here as well , there is one small clump of daffodils on the bank that are flowering and primroses in the hedgerow isnt nature wonderful x
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Look at those teeny tiny buttons! So cute! Looking forward to the pattern. My mom loves elephants. I’ll have to knit one up for her.
We had break here last week too. 3 of my 5 kids came down with strep throat. 2 for the second time this year and one for the 3rd time! We have about 3 feet of snow on the ground. I am ready for the Spring in your photos! Maybe that will keep the sickness at bay.
Glad to hear that Toby was able to spend a bit of time outside. Freash air. :o)
I’ve been working on a knitting a new scarf, a second Cladonia shawl and starting some crochet blocks for a crochet blanket. Oh and reading…
All the best in your pattern writing. Sp happy to see your new post!
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I’m looking forward to the pattern too… my daughter, now aged 38, had a sweater just like those. It was knit by her aunt and the contrasting stitch rows were in rainbow colors ! Loved that sweater and think my bears would love to wear one similar!!
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Oh those little cardigans are so pretty – I wouldn’t mind wearing one myself! I’m so excited for Spring to come. I’m noticing lots of little signs around here, too.
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What a lovely sight – pretty little cardigans all in a row!
So cute x
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Such sweet little sweaters … nothing better than a knitted rainbow either. I am mordanting yarn ready for dyeing, so even though some may be dyed grey I predict a colourful couple of days ahead for me too 🙂
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The cardigans look so pretty! Lovely flowering trees too. I’m glad you had a good break.
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Hurry with the patterns Julie, it is hard holding one’s breath for too long!
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What makes me smile? Our house has stopped flooding…
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Love those cardigans, can’t wait to make one. I’m also hoping that the dress collar will be included in the new pattern, it makes the dresses look even more adorable. My witch hazel looks lovely at the moment, in spite of cloudy skies and a touch of snow.
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Hello Julie,
I love the cardigans, they are so cute! I still have to knit my little “creatures” even though I purchased you patterns a while ago, but this little sweater would be a perfect addition 🙂 I also envy your gorgeous spring pics, it is snowing for the last 3 day where I live……
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I am so excited to see your elephants as well as your sweater patterns! I am enjoying knitting your patterns and experimenting myself with variations. Plus, I also love seeing the beautiful Spring-like weather! We are a few weeks from seeing such welcome signs of Spring. We are still seeing snow and weather below freezing (at least for this week!).
Thanks so much Julie! I can’t wait!
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Those cardigans are lovely.You really feel Spring is just around the corner.I spent an hour in the garden this morning in glorious sunshine doing a bit of snipping here and there.The birds were singing too.It just lifts your spirits.(I live in North Wales so I am sure we havn’t seen the back of winter yet ).
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Love to read you again! I miss your writting. LOVE the sweaters!!!
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My goodness those cardigans are so cute x
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Precioso!!!!!
Esperando con ilusión la llegada de los nuevos patrones.
Gracias.
Un saludo desde España
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My ducks are making me happy, they are just so funny and now the drake is in full plumage he is definitely my colour. Am also using up oddments of alpaca making a beautiful turquoise and colour mini shawl.
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What a beautiful array of tiny sweaters, you have been busy. How lovely to see plum blossom. I’ll have to get down to my allotment and see if mine has buds on it yet.
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Hi Julie,
I live way far north in Wisconsin, only 60 miles from Canada. Our winter this year has been oh-so-cold! We have sustained temps of well below zero* F (down to -50F with the wind chill)from the beginning of December through today.
However. about a week ago, we had a surge of BALMY feeling weather. The sky was blue all day with sunshine and the temp was 36 F!! What a lovely day that was. I actually heard birds chirping. Made me smile :O)
We can expect the snow to remain through the month of April, and always have snowfall toward the end of May.
FYI–the snow in our yard is, this minute, about 3 1/2 feet deep. That includes the natural evaporation, etc. Our winter this year has been powerful!
On a creative note, I have made and given two baby quilts, two baby afghans (crocheted) two pair of booties and two self-binding receiving blankets. Also a knitted baby dress with flower headband and a wooly knitted sleepsack (zipper in the bottom). I am also making cookies to share at the baby shower of one of the gals. The cookies will match the fabric she chose to be in her quilt. Forest critters. Round sugar-type cookies with the hand piped royal icing drawn forest critters in all the right colors. I’m excited to make them and I know Liz will love them. Oh–also had a valentine-making party one evening. That was fun! Yay!
I am definitely looking forward to your next patterns coming ready…Woo Hoo!!!
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who could believe that one lady with some knitting needles and some yarn could bring so much joy and inspiration to so many…….you are so special xxx
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It is amazing to me that you have worked so many samples, and that there can be so many differences from one to the next! They are all very pretty though. xx
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Oh my. Colour, texture, snuggle awesomeness. Stay with the needles. The needles will see you through. Damaged my ulna nerve last year. I had no idea how much knitting played a part in my stress management. Knitting and concentrating on the pattern writing will be there for you whenever you need a mental rest.
Be strong
Jill xx
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These are so lovely! I knitted a little cotton rabbit (Little Mae – named after my late mother) for my grand daughter in Melbourne and one for me (Catey Pie) – when we skype our grand daughter from Dunedin, NZ, I wave Catey Pie to her – Naia is only 7 months old but smiles and laughs at the rabbit. I am looking forward to her waving Little Mae back at me! Thank you for creating rabbit and their clothes patterns and sharing your talent.
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Wow, ive knitted lots of your cotton tails ; )they are great, enjoyed by all, Including me.
I work with autistic children and enjoy my job very much but the boys love Dinosaurs.
Please could you design arrange of Dinosaurs patterns for me to knit for them.
Amanda xx
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Don’t those colours all lined up make you feel indescribably happy, Julie? They certainly make me feel wonderful! There is something about knitting an array of tiny sweater in a multitude of colours which is quite addictive, I think.
I’m so glad the sun is shining for you.
Happy days ahead!
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Hi,
Lovely to discover this blog. I’m an autistic knitter who loves photography, so this is just perfect! You might like to have a look at my blog (www.greenclogsblog.wordpress.com) which include some bunnies that might seem quite familiar!
All the best, Gill x
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Love the rainbow of sweaters!! They are beautiful!
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Adorable sweet sweaters lots of pretty colors. Love the blossoms cant wait for them to start here.
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Hi Julie, What lovely photos. The little jackets look so cute all lined up. Like a diligent little mouse has been doing her laundry!. The blue sky is looking lovely too. Here in Australia we are (hopefully) reaching the end of a long hot summer. The days are still lovely, sunny and warm but not the scorching heat we have had. xxBrenda
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What a lovely rainbow of gorgeousness! Your bowls of buttons look like sweets! It’s lovely to hear from you Xx
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Such a cheerful post, Julie! I love the rainbow of little knitted cardigans so much, the picture really gave me one of those heart skipping moments!! Love the bowl of tiny buttons too, and your blossom and blue skies are a sure sign of spring!
Wishing you a happy week.
Helen xox
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A few years after I fell in love with your little knitted bunnies, I’ve finally found your blog. I don’t knit, but did purchase your pattern so my knitting sister could make one for me. Haven’t seen it yet, but I have hopes. Here in Maine, USA, we’ve had an especially vigorous, cooooold winter, and I’m ready for spring. I’ll be making my first ever trip to Europe in April, including 4 days in London and Aston Clinton. I’ll be thinking of you while I’m there and hoping you’ll be thoroughly enjoying the uplifting color of flowers and bunnies that come with the season.
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Blooms???? I am jealous. It’s cold, cold, cold. But your posts are cheering me up!
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Julie- I just love all those little cardi’s all in a row- it is like candy for the eyes. I can’t tell you the smile it brought to my face. As I look outside my back door all I see is white, as in snow-granted it is actually sunny here today in Southern Ontario, Canada,however, it is still very, very cold. We are supposed to wake up to -20C here on thurs morning. So to see your blossoms gives me hope that spring is coming….even if it is over there right now. Thanks as always for sharing.
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Amazing lady such beautiful knitting and those cardigans are so cute and colourful.
I do like the grey ones ☺ Good to know Toby had some happy times with sunshine.
Something colourful for me is the sunflowers growing (almost at the end of their time)
and my herbs, got to love herbs, smell divine ☺
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I recently purchased a boat load of teensy buttons in all different colors and shapes. Now I guess I know why!!
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What darling dinky sweaters! I’m currently saving my sock yarn leftovers for the Leftowvers Cowl (Wendy Knits), so I’ll put this idea on the “long-range” plan. Hurray for your intrepid butterfly!
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…looking forward to the sweater pattern release.
Am wondering about the collar for the free snowflake dress chart.
Will that be coming out soon too?
Thank you for sharing your pattern with us!
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You already spring! Beautiful flowering plum and blue sky! I love it!
And what wonderful cozy sweaters! All love!
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I am REALLY looking forward to the skull pattern. My little grandson just asked me to make him a “boy bunny” and he himself has plenty of skull shirts..It would be perfect for him..Thank you.
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I am writing from London, Ontario, Canada (we moved yet again). We are still covered in snow here. White, white and more white. I enjoy coming to your blog and gazing at the bright and fun colours and your lovely creations. I managed to snag some potted hyacinths and daffodils from the store to bring into my home to remind me that YES, there is life, colour, and warmth ahead.
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I love the sweaters! The daffodils are out in my garden, I even picked some in the rain today to have some cheer indoors 🙂 hugs, catherine x
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Those little sweaters are just adorable Julie.
Roll on Springtime!
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I really needed your blog today. What a joy you are.
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Those tiny swathers leave me speechless. isn’t everything better in a tiny size?
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I meant sweaters. Can’t type today.
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LOVE THAT TREE IN YOUR GARDEN
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Hello, do not speak English so I use google translator to write this message. I apologize in advance for inconsistencies that might occur.
A while ago I discovered your bunnies in the network, and through them, I came to your blog. Loved your bunnies and I love your blog, pictures, how you write, your way of seeing things. This week I decided to read your blog since the beginning, I’m going in June 2007. It was like reading a novel. Interesting and entertaining, even short messages. I also followed the links of the pages also interesting that you like, so now I have several more links to my favorites. It’s great to have found you. Thanks for sharing a piece of your life.
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Hello Julie
Love the sweaters and I will definitely knit an elephant or two – at least one for my daughter Ellie who loves the bunny I made her for Christmas. What is making me happy at the moment is signs of colour in the garden, purple crocuses and yellow daffodils and a few blue sky days so I can go walking on the moors.
Have just knitted my sixth bunny and am still addicted – thanks so much for us all being able to spread the bunny love, this sort of knitting is brilliant for me as am too tired to do much after work but love playing with colour combinations for the dresses.
Much love to you and your family and enjoy Spring!
Alison
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I check the blog several times a day – so excited for the new patterns! Thank you so much for making them available to purchase. Absolutely can’t wait!
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This display of coloured little jackets is amazing! you are so smart to knit all these lovely cardigans to experiment techniques!! Anne
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