Firstly I want to say a huge Thank You for all of the kind, funny, thoughtful and heartwarming comments on the giveaway post. I have read them all and I really appreciate the time everyone took to comment. As usual I've used a random number generator to pick the winners and in view of the amount of comments I decided to giveaway an extra animal so I've picked three winners. They've each been notified and are in the process of choosing their prizes (you can see who they are in the previous post).
As I've been merrily knitting away for months, making exactly what I want when I've wanted to I've ended up with lots of clothes, heads and feet. Now I have to jigsaw all the pieces together, work out which head goes best with which outfit and make all the missing parts. It's going to take me a little while but I am hoping to have a little batch of animals ready to sell this autumn and all being well another one in the run up to Christmas. That's the plan anyway!
We're starting to get back into term-time routines here. It always takes a while for Toby to settle in, especially as he has a new classroom and new teaching staff. He's also in the biggest class he's ever had with 11 classmates instead of 6 or 7 so this is challenging for him as he thrives a calm and quiet environment. And he's adapting to the after school clubs that I've signed him up for. As he's almost 15 it seemed like a good idea to expand his horizons, so he now goes to Rock club where they explore lots of contemporary music and Health and well-being club where he experiences relaxation techniques and yoga. On club afternoons I collect him with a handful of custard creams as a little treat and to try a lessen the anxiety he experiences at not coming home on the bus as usual. It also helps me feel a little less guilty for tipping him out of his comfort zone!
Anyway, I must get on with some work so I'm off to get knitting arms and sew seams. Until next time I thought I'd leave you with some of the pictures taken over the school summer break where we celebrated Amy's brilliant GCSE results (3 x A*, 7 x A, 1 X B), tried to get out and about as much as possible and made lots of plum jam 🙂
See you soon x
little cotton rabbits 
hello! Congratulations to the lucky winners! How interesting that you make the little animals almost randomly…fitting pieces together like you say…Big changes for your boy….all good wishes
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Congrats to the winners! And yoga is a wonderful idea! Would you post your plum jam recipe? It looks delicious!
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Yes, this is defenetely end of summer, and I declared me in Autumn…here in my area in Canada.
Mornings are really fresh !
Your pics are beautiful as always, your knits are perfect to me…et your area is so beautiful!
Well, it is a great satisfaction when our kids have great results at school. we are so proud of them.
Congrats to your daugther. And I hope everything is good with changes for your boy.
Have a beautiful week,
Rose, xx
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Congrats to the VERY lucky winners!!
Your summer pics are beautiful Julie and what a brilliant climax to the summer holidays with Amy’s excellent results.
Don’t feel guilty about Toby, you are an excellent mum and doing the very best for him, I think yoga sounds wonderful, hopefully things will settle for him soon.
Really looking forward to seeing your new little creatures. 🙂
V x
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Oh I love seeing all those animals in progress. After I finish my Christmas knitting i’m going to treat myself to making a boy cat for which I’ve had the pattern and yarn for months! Very well done to Amy on her excellent results.
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What a beautifull post again and what a nice pictures.
When I started last year with my blog, I became very inspired by all your lovely pictures and stories.
I look forward to see all your new little animals
Have a nice weekend
Manon
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You must be so very, very proud of both your children. Their achievements are amazing!
Autumn is my favourite season. Such bounty. And sitting and knitting feels like a legitimate activity again. Enjoy!
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Congratulations to the winners – and to you for surviving the school transition! Gorgeous photos as always, it’s always a joy to find a new post to read on your blog 🙂 xx
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Another glorious post Julie.
Congratulations to the 3 very lucky winners, how kind of you to offer 3 of your beautiful little animals.
Many Congratulations and best wishes to Amy on her fantastic results, you must be so proud of her and of Toby for adjusting to his new routine.
Your latest little creations are totally adorable – I can’t wait to see them when they are finished, and ready for new homes xox
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Stopped in today after a long time away and wanted to say thank you for your lovely blog and gorgeous photos. Jam! Where has the summer gone and I have only made one kind this past summer. All the best to you and yours. Will stop in again for a longer look.
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Congratulations to Amy! Excellent! Congratulations to the winners. Beautiful photos.
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Wow! Well done Amy x
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Rock club sounds excellent, I hope Toby enjoys it. The plum jam looks divine, it’s one of my favourites. Sadly not many plums around here this year. I have very high hopes for next year. CJ xx
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Hi Julie, many congratulations to Amy, what fabulous results. Best wishes to you all, Sue x
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Congratulations to all of the winners. I hope Toby enjoys class and does well. I love your photos. Summer is indeed on the end here with very cool mornings.
Blessings,
Betsy
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Thanks for the mini vacation with those beautiful pictures! I must admit disappointment when the random selector didn’t shine on me…I better get knitting and more importantly sewing & stuffing my own creations. Jack returned to school reluctantly…new teacher, new class members and the very strong desire to “STAY HOME!!!” Hopefully he will settle in. When our boys get big the struggle to move them gets bigger as well.
Here’s to a gentle autumn!
As always, Lori from Port Perry 🙂
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Congratulations to the lucky winners. I have just put together a little boy bear for a great grandson due next January, a little wonky but he has such character. My arthritic hands are not as mobile as they once we’re. Now to find wool and needles for his clothes. Loved making him and the little girl rabbit I made before. He should be on my blog shortly, naked!
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Congratulations to the winners and to Amy and all her hard work.
Don’t feel guilty at making Toby do new things, it’s hard, but it has to be done. I remember that my son hated change and I had some very difficult times trying to get him to do anything new.
I look forward to seeing the new animals and your future posts. xx
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Gorgeous photos as usual Julie. I particularly like the sky one. I wish it looked that that at the moment, but it’s thundering so loud, it shook the house. Anyway, thank you so much for the jam. It’s delicious and the ruination of my weight loss program. See you soon (check your phone!!!!).
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congratulations to Amy x and oh your jam photos are exquisite x
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Thanks for the lovely pictures! I feel privileged to be able to enter your world–you’re a fine example of mothering!. Gotta be proud of your girl and also Toby!! Have fun with the ‘arms’, Julie!!
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Congratulations to Amy! Amazing results.
Would love to know how you manage to have enough worm-free plums to make jam. Most of mine were ruined this year. Any tips?
On a brighter note, I have just finished reading the book you recommended – Meadowland. Found it so peaceful and beautiful that I am going to buy it (had borrowed from library) and read it again!! A wonderful book for anyone who loves and respects nature.
This is quite an achievement for me, as it’s only the third book I’ve managed to finish in the past 14.5yrs, since children arrived!
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Oh Julie, I am so lucky! I am even luckier than lucky as I am the 3rd winner… This little rabbit is going to be my treasured favourite toy.
Congratulations to Amy for her brilliant results. And what a good idea to organise Toby’s joining clubs. Of course it takes time for him to appreciate, but I am sure he will soon enjoy his acticities and get benefit later. You mustn’t feel guilty.
Your Summer photos are beautiful, you make everything look nice. For example your 3rd photo! when I make jam, my kitchen table is just a horrible mess…
Thank you again for your generosity,♥ Anne
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Congratulations to Amy !
I love the colors you used for your little animals’ dresses, especially the brownish purple one. What kind of yarn is it ?
Love from Arras (France)
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Congratulations to Amy and the very lucky winners! The plums and the jam look luscious. What is that interesting looking knitting project in the picture (with the jam)?
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Congrats Amy on her results! And that plum jam looks heavenly, is there anything better than jam and butter on fresh bread? Glad that Toby is adjusting to the big changes!
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Oh, that jam looks divine! There is nothing better than toast and jam.
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Hi Julie. Great news re Amy’s results. Would love to know the yarn and pattern of the ? scarf ? shawl that you are knitting? Can never thank you enough for how much pleasure your blog and patterns give me.
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Hi Julie,
Looking forward to the opportunity of purchasing one of your little animals later in the year. Huge congratulations to Amy on her fantastic results and hoping Toby settles well in his new bigger class. Thank you for the great post (as usual).
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Gorgeous photos Julie! Your animals are just too cute.
Enjoy the transition into Autumn x
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Beautiful pictures Julie! I love that you just mix and match your gorgeous little animals — such a fun way to do things. It sounds like you’re all settling into a fall routine — my favorite time of year in the UK!
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Congratulations! to the 3 very lucky winners. Your knitted babies are just beautiful. Best wishes to your daughter for her hard work – which has paid off; to your son, as his joining will pay off sooner than you think. The jam looks so yummy. And, as always, your photos are truly great. Have a wonderful Fall.
Mary Lea – Ohio, US
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Congratulations to all the winners lucky lucky people. Julie lve the summer pics specially swans with babes beautiful. Also very big well done to Amy on her excellent exam results worth all the very hard work, great news. Glad Toby settling into new routine which is never easy Llove the custard cream treats great.
Really like all the new wee heads, legs and clothes you have done, I must when I get my cast off (broke arm and wrist 2 weeks ago on golf course!!!!!!) start my christmas presents.
Your jam looks yummy, take care love your blog, keep knitting live all the wee critters.
Hugs
Ellie (Scotland)
xxxx
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Hi Julie,
I have a small technical question I’ve been meaning to ask, and the picture of the animals you’re working on brought it to mind again. I have made four foxes and many, many dresses for them, but I keep having the same problem with the dresses. The bottom seam always curls up, like the one on your fox in the picture. How do you get the seam to lay flat? I have tried bigger needles, but I just got a very long dress, with the seam still curling up… I have tried doing one more row of knit before starting the stockinette pattern bit, but that also curled. I would really welcome your advice, but would totally understand if you don’t have the time to answer this kind of questions.
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Hi Sara
Blocking will fix it, I always steam block my dresses. Also if you knit them in wool rather than cotton they will definitely curl up which is one reason I recommend cotton.
If you don’t want to block them then you could try knitting 4 rows instead of just 2 in order to give a deeper garter stitch border to the dress.
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Your little pile of lovely sweaters and charming knit friends about did me in!
Anxiety is such a hard thing to deal with but I think it’s good you are gently nudging your guy out of his comfort zone. Our oldest daughter is 23 and still deals with anxiety issues and I guess always will. She also has to be gently (and sometimes, not so gently) nudged from hers. Now she is a college graduate working as a behavioral therapist with Autistic children! How lovely that she can relate to their anxiety on a personal level.
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Hi I live in Iceland and I am a great fan of your work. Thank you. Can you tell me where I can get a toy suitcase similar to the one in your post? I think this is so gorgeous! Love Sesselja
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Thank you for your advice! I have never tried blocking, because my kids tear the new dress out of my hand the minute it’s finished, to try on as quickly as possible! I have knitted everything in cotton so far. You can get so many colors and it’s not expensive. I will try your suggestions on a Christmas dress, I think! I also just want to say I really love your patterns. The end result is wonderful obviously, but you have also taken the time to write really clear instructions. Thank you for that. I don’t mean to be pushy, but would you consider publishing a book with your patterns? I think you price your pdf patterns very fairly, but printing them in colour is very expensive, and in the end you still have just printed pages. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a nice book, with an index and pretty pictures (of the creatures, but also some of your wonderful woodland walks). You could go all Tilda, and have a book for each season! I know I would buy them all!
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