Throughout all the ups and downs that life can bring, knitting is always there as a comforting part of my days. Though I might have temporarily misplaced my blog voice I can always find something knitted to share with you, so I thought I'd pop in and show you what has been occupying my needles lately.
As always there have been bunnies. This pair are mostly knitted from a discontinued ball of Rowan Scottish Tweed in 'porridge' that I had stashed. I love the little brown neps peppered throughout and am feeling rather sad that this is now all used up. Here I paired it with a strand of cream Rowan Kidsilk Haze for fuzziness and used a brown alpaca yarn for contrast.
Yarns do come and go and it's always a bit disappointing when a favourite is discontinued. My favourite yarn for knitting animal clothing has always been Rowan 4ply cotton (which was discontinued years ago) and although I still have a fair amount of it stashed I have been hunting around for a good replacement ever since. Happily I've now found it in BC Garn's Alba. This is a soft, matt, organic cotton yarn (not mercerised) and comes in a beautiful range of colours, some and bright and jewel-like and some muted, subtle tones (which are the ones I like the best). The knitted fabric drapes beautifully and I'm having fun playing with ideas for new dresses in this lovely palette of colours (the blue swatch below is a discontinued Rowan 4ply).
I bought the colours above from Loop and Love knitting stock some of the colour range.
There's also been excitement recently at the arrival of the morning post which in the last two weeks has brought me two wonderful magazines kindly mentioning my work. The first was the June edition of Australian Homespun which had a lovely write up about the cat patterns and the sweaters.
The second is the current Issue 148 of Simply Knitting which has an interesting article on blogging, featuring interviews with 4 knitting bloggers (of which I was one). It's always a lovely feeling (and a little surreal) to see yourself in print and I'm hugely flattered to have been included in both of these publications.
Well, I'm off to make some breakfast and rouse the rest of the family, who are all still snoozing. See you soon and until then best wishes for a very happy 4th July to all my friends in the USA x
little cotton rabbits 
Beautiful post as always. Thank you fr the yarn tips, I find it’s always difficult to choose when you rely on shopping online. The dresses are a real inspiration and I love your colour choices. X
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I completely agree – at times of enormous stress or just being on the wrong side of the door (a family saying derived from a cat who never knew whether he wanted to be inside or outside), knitting is perfect for occupying hands and minds even for a few moments. I enjoyed the SK article that you were featured in this month – I’ve finally chosen my patterns too (the ginger cat girl and the piebald bunny boy) so I’m one step closer to making your lovely toys for myself. I’ve got a bag of Rowan leftover somewhere – the next job will be to rootle them out so I can make a start! xx
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I wonder why I still didn’t buy one of your patterns. They’re so cute.
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Lovely post Julie, it’s always a joy to see your work. Those little animals and their beautiful little clothes are a delight…..no one does it better!
Many congrats on your well deserved magazine features. 🙂
Happy Sunday,
V x
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You…and your country..have been in my thoughts with all the news of Brexit. Between the USA political scene & the UK scene I am grateful for where I live. We just celebrated Canada Day on July 1. I sense a bit of melancholy in your post. I always find the month of June & adjustment to the summer break to be hugely stressful as I battle with school over plans for my Jack for next year, planning for my mom’s surgery (total hip replacement) and getting my Jack looked after during the days I work & keeping him active. My relief is taking time to pack my knitting bag to take my projects to the hospital to keep myself busy. I have all of your patterns & love to match yarn with options. Puts me in a happy place. Thanks again Julie.
Fondly, Lori from Port Perry 🐰🐭🐱🐵🐼🐻
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Julie–thank you for everything you share with all of us. Your work is beautiful and fun! We all understand that life has it’s ups and downs…and sometimes quiet is the best way to be. Knitting is truly therapeutic…and meditative…and while it doesn’t necessarily solve problems large and small, it provides a safe port in the storm.
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Hi Julie,
The little bunnies, with their spots, are just adorable. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the cotton yarn. I am looking for a nice cotton, for a crochet project. With no lys, I can only guess what the yarn will be like when ordering. Congratulations on the articles. I will to try and find a copy to read. Wishing you and your family a Happy Summer.
Love Kim
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so many beautiful things here Julie xxx
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Love those rabbits in Scottish Tweed, lovely. Gorgeous textures in those sample pieces as well. I’m glad you’ve found a substitute yarn that you like, it’s so frustrating when favourite things are discontinued isn’t it. Great to see you featured in those magazines, they look like fantastic articles with brilliant pictures. I hope all is well with you and that you have a good week. CJ xx
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Oh your dress swatches! Beautiful colours.
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Congratulations! It’s so nice to be recognized. I am really glad to know that knitting brings you so much peace and joy. I think we all need a handicraft to return to when life gets difficult. Your work has inspired me for years.
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Congratulations,these magazines look great and the pages about you have lovely photos! I would love a French magazine to feature you one day. No one knits better animals than you. Anne
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Possibly my favourite bunnies so far ……. you are so clever at combining yarn. Thanks for another beautiful post, nice to have you back. Have a lovely summer. Sue x
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Beautiful post! I love the colors of yarn you have shown us today and congrats on the magazines. You do gorgeous work.
Blessings,
Betsy
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Those first two little bunnies are just perfect. What gorgeous yarn.
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I will be going out to get a copy of at least the KS magazine. I have not been knitting lately, maybe that is why I am a bit blue. I have the pattern and yarn for some bunnies so maybe I should get started. And then buy some more patterns. Your little animals are so beautiful.
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Your new additions are, as always, a sheer delight – I love their eye patches! No worries about a new yarn range – though frustrating for you – your
little characters will be as well turned out as ever, the colour range is just beautiful. Long may your fame spread, both at home and abroad! xx
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What is an idea of the amount of yarn needed for a bunny? Or for a dress? Would one skein be enough?
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Well deserved!!!
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Congratulations on your inclusion in ‘Simply Knitting,…well deserved! Thanks too for the new information on yarn..my not so large stash of Rowan has just enough to make a second piebald bunny as a gift for my sister’s new step- daughter in law…then I was wondering where to start looking! As always it’s a pleasure to read your blog…the bunny class of 2016 look delightful……
Love Jxx
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Gorgeous little dresses. Congrats on your publications. Off to see if I can get my hands on a copy of the article. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you for sharing your knitting. I love to see what you are doing. Knitting is a regular part of my life too and I thank God for it.
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I love the new yarn you have found – colours look fab.
I always enjoy your blog posts, especially today when everything at work has gone rather pear shaped!!
Your animals are fantastic and I love them all.
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It is always good to see what you have been up to. I am sure that in good time your blog voice will come back. Sometimes it is just good to be in the minute. Enjoy your knitting and remember it also inspires us. Diane x
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I always love your posts, and this one is no exception. Thank you for all your patterns and the lovely animals. It gives me so much satisfaction making them. As someone else mentioned, this post sounds a bit melancholy, please know how much we appreciate your work and are grateful for your talents! (ps. I’m selfishly hoping there’s a new dress pattern in the future 😉)
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my little rabbit turned out a bit wonky but my son loves him. Might need to practice and make some for the nieces and nephews :)And congrats on the mag write up. Its always great to see the world taking an interest.
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Love your blog and your knitting! Please, keep writting!
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Your work is beautiful and highly deserving of the exposure in print. Your colour combinations and designs inspire and delight me. I too feel comforted and calm when I knit. Thank you for filling my life with such lovely little creatures. They are hard to let go of!
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Knitting is a marvellous solace when everything is off kilter. And oh how beautiful those wee dress samples are. Hope life settles for you a little soon.
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Congratulations on the two magazine articles and on this post. Knitting is very calming, for me at least, during times of stress and producing a toy or a garment for someone else also helps to soothe frayed nerves. Coincidently, I have returned to knitting a bunny, a ballerina bunny for my daughters niece after she spotted the panda I had knitted for my grandson; your exquisite animal designs are always popular with the little ones in my family and with the adults as well! I’ll keep on knitting your creations and look forward to new tiny clothes patterns; those dresses look terrific.
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Congratulations on your publications! Have you tried the Rowan summerlite 4 ply? I used it for my elephant shoes and pants and clothes and was very happy with the result.
It’s always lovely to see your knitting photos.
PS Did you see that Jolie is closing?
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Your wee rabbits are super cute. It’s lovely that your obvious talent in creating with yarn has been shared in those publications, congratulations. I hope you don’t mind me pinning a link to this blog post on Pinterest. My sister loves bunnies, I know she’d love those cuties.
Alexandra
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Thank you once again for your ongoing inspiration. Seeing your work and knitting your patterns is a true delight in my life, and a great therapy for me. Would love to buy patterns for some of the new dresses you have been sharing. Thank you for all that you do.
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Your photos are always so beautiful Julie! Those new little bunnies are so cute — that yarn is just perfect. I have purchased yarn for your patterns but I just can’t seem to get going — I think it’s fear LOL!!!
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Congrats on being in Simply knitting, ell done you! It’s always a challenge when a favourite yarn gets discontinued, and I find that if a favourite yarn is part of a large yarn company, it’s almost a given that they will discontinue it so that they can keep coming out with different yarns each year. I like Rowan Handknit Cotton for toys, but we all have our own preferences.
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I love your bunnies ever so much!
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Beautiful….your knitting is part of your blog voice and has spread far beyond the internet.
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It occurs to me as I read your post and enjoy your photographs that the creation of your animals must be so incredibly satisfying for you. And that kind of satisfaction is just so gratifying. You must pick up your work and marvel at what you have created. Good for you!
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Beautiful as always Julie. I’m currently working on your Girl and Boy Teddy Bears. I was right in the middle of making 6 of them when I fall off my porch and broke several bones in my ankle. One surgery and 3 weeks later, I’m off of pain meds and back to knitting. Ten more legs till I finish. hugs
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Julie you never dissapoint I just love reading all your little bits and bobs not to mention the beautiful bunnies can’t wait to see them with their new clothes lol
Thanks also for the lovely loop site the yarns are just wonderful and what a beautiful range of colours.
I do hope you have a lovely summer with the family, take care thank you for all the wonderful little critters you bring to us all
Love ve and hugs
Ellie xx
Ps your write up in the mag was super well done.
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Hi, love reading your blog and seeing your makes. It is so nice of you talented people out there to share your time and talent with us. The little creatures you have made over the years are so inspiring and their cute little outfits the little dresses look lovely. Xxx
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lovely as always,love the little spots.
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Lovely post. I used Drops Lima and Drops Kidsilk when I was knitting up your panda and bear…a cheaper alternative and it worked well.
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That is lovely as every time! What a great taste for colours!
Rose, xx
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Congratulations on your magazine publications Julie. Having yourself in print is a strange feeling, but a proud one too. Well done!
Your knitting is absolutely gorgeous as usual. I’m off to check out that organic cotton, my favourite was discontinued a few years ago and sadly parts of my stash of it are now running out. It was Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Sincere Organic Cotton DK
Sarah x
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Your knitting creations are beautiful. Thank you for the recommendation of BC Garn’s Alba. It sounds perfect, being a soft, matt, organic cotton yarn (not mercerised) and comes insect a diverse range of colours. Knitting is relaxing and can be good fun, but also has health benefits surprisingly. A study in the University of Texas in 2014 found it improved and enhanced the memory function in older adults. Equally,its been reported that knitting enabled some people to redirect their focus, reducing their awareness of pain or even helping weight loss, by focussing on knitting in spare time rather than snacking.
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Thank you Julie. So glad i have some of your patterns. Enjoying them every day. A bit of a challenge to get wool and cotton match. Here in africa we have to be very glad to get something. My kids and granddaughters just love my little animals anyway!!!!
Minette zambia
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