After the coughs and colds that we all ungratefully received for Christmas I've been easing myself gently into this new year. Happily it's been years since I've been so ill and I count myself lucky on that front, but this bug has definitely knocked the wind right out of my sails and I'm only just starting to feel myself again. Taking things slowly has definitely helped, as has knitting with gorgeous new yarn and drinking hot tea from a lovely new cup. The cup and the yarn were much nicer Christmas presents than the cold!
The cup and saucer are from potter Lars Soendergaard and the yarn is Pigeon Roof studios sock yarn from Loop which comes in sets of graduated mini skeins. I'm using the charcoal colourway to make a pair of long cosy wrist-warmers from this Churchmouse pattern. I had thought of knitting these flat but am now stepping outside my comfort zone and using the magic loop technique to knit them both at the same time. It takes some thinking about when you cast on but once you get going it works well and you don't have to remember which row you changed to the next colour as you're working each hand simultaneously.
So, here we are almost half way through January already. Have you made New Year resolutions? I've decided not to bother anymore – I don't have a very good track record with them. It would be nice to loose a little weight (but since that involves more exercise and less knitting time it's unlikely to happen in earnest – though I have been known to knit while bouncing on Toby's space hopper so perhaps there is some hope for me. Come to think of it that would be a great idea for an exercise class – any fitness instructors out there want to come up with a knit and bounce routine?). I'm also aiming to worry less (hmm, that one will take a lots of work) but that's the extent of my vague and wafty thoughts on things I'd like to do differently this year. I'm not going to dwell on failing to achieve them as peace and simple pleasures are the most essential things for well-being and we should probably all learn to go a little easy on our imperfect selves.
Hope your new year has got off to a good start, see you soon x
little cotton rabbits 
Sorry to hear you’ve been ill, hope you’re feeling much better now and well on the road to recovery. Hmmm, an exercise routine which involves knitting, that’s probably the only fitness routine that would interest me.
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Sorry to hear you’ve been ill Julie, glad to hear you’re feeling a bit better now though!
Peace and simple pleasures sound like a good idea to me but I would be willing to give knit and bounce a go!! 🙂
I love your yarn shades!!!
V x
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Lovely thought on the ideas of New Year’s resolutions, I agree with you, we all need to achieve peace and harmony with the simple pleasures of life. Exercise yes, knitting YES YES! Love the fingerless wrist and arm warmers, that yarn looks yummy. I’ve been timid to try the magic loops but need too, maybe for my resolution!!! Love visiting you and do hope you are feeling ALL better soon, xoRobin
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I’m so glad the colds and flu have finally left you, its a bad year for flu here in our part of Canada, I have spent the last hour reading you blog, I visit often but have never taken the time to read past posts, having just found you a short time ago, our five year old Gracie has Autism, she is our grand child, your strength and gentle manner give me hope, your beautiful Toby is so fortunate to born to you, others might not be as loving and caring, sadly I have saw this side of Autism, not in our family but in others, where they cannot cope and the child is farmed out to foster homes, the world of Autism is a complex and daily changing world, when you said 15 minutes without tempers and tantrums, I know exactly what you mean, my best wishes to you and your family, and especially to Toby, what a beautiful child.
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Sorry to hear you’ve been ill, hope you’re feeling much better now 🙂
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You are always inspiration to me when it is time to test something different.
I have seen it this week on a pattern, to knit both hands at the same time, but never tried it. So it is a good feedback for me to read you.
How do think it is? easy or touchy ( not so easy ) to knit both hands same time?
Miss.
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Happy New Year Julie — I’m glad to hear you’re feeling a little better. As always, your knitting looks cozy and beautiful. I always knit anything with pairs (socks, sleeves, mitts) in the two-at-once on circs fashion — for me, it’s the only way to be sure that they’ll be remotely the same. Have a wonderful week!
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I haven’t attempted knitting 2 objects at once with the magic loop. Definitely something to try. Glad you are feeling better!
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Mm, not a nice present but hopefully the cup and yarn made up for it. I have used the magic loop but usually work on two circulars per item, seems to work well for me. I have a Piecework article where the author works on two socks, one inside the other…..don’t ask me to explain any more……!
Reading some blogs people seem so hard on themselves with resolutions, lists etc…..too much sorrow in the world right now so I am aiming for peaceful progression in my stitching and knitting and making reminders of things I’d like to try, NOT resolutions! Look forward to seeing the wristwarmers, hugs to you all.
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Sorry to hear you have been ill. I hope you will feel more yourself soon. I admire your work very much and maybe one day my knotty stuff will look like yours! Your posts on your sons autism are interesting and I can understand how difficult life can be for him and you. My youngest son is nearly fifteen and has aspergers. We are very blessed because he can communicate. But being a stroppy teenager doesn’t always want to! I have only got the hang of my iPad but am loving reading different blogs.
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have a great 2015 Julie!!!!
xxxx ale
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Such wise words……and so true. Glad you are a bit better. Thanks so much again for making your pattern available at such good prices. I am just about to embark on the girl elephant. I hope to be as good as you but that day is a long way off….
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Poor you Julie, that doesn’t sound like a fun start to 2015 😦
Please could I sign up for the bounce and knit class too !!
Have a gentle week of getting better,
Kate xx
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I had the lurgy too at the beginning of the year and it knocked me off my feet as well. It was a nasty bug, wasn’t it? Glad you’re feeling better, it’s quite amazing how knitting makes the world a better place 🙂 xx
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I really like the look of the socks. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been sick. I hope everyone is back to normal by now, or will be soon.
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Happy New Year Julie! Sorry you’ve been poorly but yay! for knitting in the round!!!!! 🙂 xxx
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Hope you’re feeling better now. The charcoal yarn is gorgeous, and I’m very impressed with the knitting technique! I agree about new year’s resolutions, and prefer to choose my challenges as the year progresses, although if i had made them, mine would probably been the same as yours 🙂
Cathy x
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colds over Christmas, that’s back luck, glad you’re on the mend x take care x
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Leave that sickness behind you. Glad you are all feeling better. I am not sure if this will link up or not, but here is an idea. Take a look at this you tube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvLrTR6tIDk Maybe it will give you an idea for your fitness plan. ;o)
Happy New Year Julie! I look forward to another year of your wisdom and inspiration.
Kathy
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I am impressed by your knitting technique! I am glad to read that you are well again . Anne
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Sorry to hear you’ve been ill, I do hope you’re completely better soon. I haven’t really made any resolutions either, but I am trying to do something constructive every day and declutter and be a bit more organised. I do like the idea of knit and bounce, I think you could be on to something there. CJ xx
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Julie…your words of wisdom never fails to impress and inspire me…I do respect that you choose to live mindfully and ethically…your respect for all life on this planet…your ethical approach to your craft…you do tread lightly…and of course I am in awe of your incredible talent…needless to say I am always in anticipation of your next post…thank you julie
PS…I made the peppermint bark during the holidays…I loved it as did all the recipients…it will become a holiday tradition.
I wish you and your loved ones moments of peace this new year.
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Hi Julie,
I hope you continue to feel better, there have been some rotten bugs about. I love the pace and style of your blog. It’s always an interesting read. I just finished another of your cute Bunny girls for my granddaughter. Please take a look if you can spare the time. I’m on Ravelry as CathP53. I wondered whether I had overstuffed the arms this time and I’d love your advice.
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Hi Julie. My NYR is to learn to Magic Loop, although I don’t think I’ll be doing anything as complicated as you. I’m also going to try and cut down the yarn purchases, although I found a £10 note under the fallen leaves in my garden yesterday and my immediate thought was ‘yarn!’, so maybe that won’t work! x
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I never make new year’s resolutions either though I would also like to lose some weight. Happy new year – glad you’re feeling better again.
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Hello Julie, like you, I’m hardly ever ill, but a Christmas thing really challenged me this year. And not so much a resolution as an effort to remind myself of Clive James’s words last year- “Try and take a long view. If you make a mistake, unless it’s a crime, it’s not the end and you’ll learn from it.” Striving for perfection all day everyday from myself is exhausting and self defeating. I pop over to your page and benefit from your lovely take on the world, thank you!
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I used to make goals. New Year’s resolutions. Then I quit. I refuse to start out each new year as a failure! So, I’m choosing starting out each new year as a quitter. Makes it seem like I have a choice in the matter. 🙂
Knitting and bouncing. Last time I bounced on Levi’s bouncy ball, I was Skyping with my sister at the time and ended up going over backwards, my foot came up and smacked my laptop right off of the stool it was perched on, which is why my laptop is held together with duct tape. Classy. Both me and the lap top.
I’m afraid if I knit and bounced, I’d poke my eye out!
We’ve been quite sick here as well, in fact, my third oldest son is home with pneumonia as I type! It’s been a nasty season for flu and the sort.
I am glad you are taking it easy. No need to rush. Haste makes waste my mum used to always tell me. Hasty recovery will plop you right back in bed so enjoy that delicious yarn and tea! Loves and hugs!! Continue to get better! XXXXX
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Wishing you a happy germ free new year filled with less worrying Julie. And I’ be up for a bounce and knit class although I’m not sure how coordinated I would be!
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Well impressed at you managing the magic loop, I’ve had a go but can’t get my head ’round it, think I need to find someone to sit down next to me & guide me thu’ it. Hope the year picks up quickly for you Julie xx
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Happy New Year Julie – sorry you’ve been unwell. Magic loop knitting is FAB isn’t it. I was encouraged to try it by a friend who was watching me knitting neverending legwarmers and armwarmers for panto. I had a tricky start and had to persevere, but I’m now finding it just so much easier that multiple needles. I haven’t yet tried two things at once – I think that is going to have to wait for now!
As for bouce and knit – hmmm… I can see some problems with that one! Take care, and hope you’re already feeling much better!
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I’m signing up for your knit and bounce classes! And aren’t those mini skeins just the coolest thing? But my knitting is on super go-slow at the moment, so I really mustn’t buy any more yarn at all. No matter how tempting.
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I hope that the colds and flu have left your family for the season and won’t return for a very long time! I must tell you that I got a new cup for Christmas too, but it was broken within the week sigh. Perhaps one of my boys knows more than he is saying!
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I’m a Pilates teacher and obsessive knitter and I never thought to combine them! I love that idea so much! You can do your pelvic flor excercises really well bouncing on a fit ball while you knit!! I think you may be onto something!!! 😀
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Oh, these are so beautiful. Every time I come here I am tempted into some new knitting, which is a very happy thing.
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Julie, you are a blessing to me. My new self-talk mantra will be your statement that peace and simple pleasures are the most essential things for well-being. I truly appreciate you and your blog. May peace and simple pleasures be yours each day.
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Happy New Year Julie!
My philosophy about New Years is not to commit to resolutions but to treat it as a fresh start….anything is possible. I don’t feel pressure…just excited hope of what could happen.
Here in our humble home in Canada, we also were struck with flu-ish bugs. Coughs, sneezes, fevers, exhaustion. All of my sons were home…which was the best…just wish I had been feeling better & more energetic.
I have little cotton rabbits ready to be dressed in ballet attire for two young friends of Jack’s, who also have Downs, who are bunnie obsessed! Can’t wait to pull the sweet gifts together…including alternate dresses and matching blankets…I can hear their squeals of delight now….your gift of joy is spreading 😊.
Adore your blog…and patterns…and wish you and your family a joyful New Year where anything is possible!
Sincerely, Lori from Port Perry
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Yes, SOMEONE needs to get to work on the knitting fitness thing, stat! I might finally see fit to start exercising.
Hope you’re feeling better!
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I do hope you’re all completely better now Julie.
I don’t make New Year resolutions but I do like to declare a few intentions, they’re somehow far less onerous.
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I have looked in on your blog from time to time and can only say that your knitting is exquisite! Your Fair Isle wrist warmers, your little animals – they are all so beautifully knitted and beautiful. I enjoy knitting and when I retire later this year I hope to work on advancing my skills but I can’t imagine every doing some of the projects you do.
Happy New Year!
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Hi Jullie, I am new to your blog, but I love your animals. I was blessed to receive your animal patterns as part of my Christmas gift from my lovely family. I am currently working on mouse number 3-5 as I am making them in bulk. I am also making more yarn to make some more animals. I believe that the fox are next on the list. Thank you so very much for taking the time to write down your beautiful patterns. I hope that the rest of the year looks up for you, and sickness stays away. Keep on blogging as it is so inspirational!! Happy new year to you and yours!
Jackie
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Like you we caught a really nasty cold over here in Vienna just before Christmas. Mine and my little ones turned even out to be a pneunomia caused by Mykoplasms which seemed to be the reason why it was so resisting… But now we have recovered after being one week in the Alps with really nice weather and snow 😉
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My approach to New Year’s resolutions is that they should be only wonderful things that you want to focus more upon in the coming year. A past example for me was ‘Eat more pie!’ I did that year and it was great fun. 2015 for me is play more dolls. So with this appriach in mind you may want to revisit the whole concept…. I love your blog and your beautiful knits!
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Hi and thanks so much for offering another give away. I love all of your items. I only just saw the kitty cats and think they are adorable. I am retiring in three months and can’t wait to get serious about making some little critters.
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