crafts & knitting

Privileges

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

 

Morningmaking

 

Spring planning

 

There haven't been many days in the last 10 years when I've not felt deeply grateful for the fact that I get to spend most of my child-free time knitting. Having previously spent 12 years working in a busy and stressful environment is a useful counterpoint and I know that I would be a very different person if I'd had to continue to make a living that way; a less happy and much more tense one.

Knitting brings me such peace and pleasure and I love writing here about patterns and yarns I've enjoyed using as well as my own designs. I also like to share ideas, tutorials and patterns in the hope that it might inspire others to find the same relaxation and pleasure in creating things of their own. Whenever I get feedback either in the form of comments here or in private emails I'm always thrilled to hear that what I share here is enjoyed by others and it's a real privilege to have lots of people like you who visit here regularly.

Another privilege has come my way recently in the form of an 'online innovator' award in the Knit Now 'Knitter of the year' awards 2017. I am so proud to have been chosen as one of this year's recipients and very grateful to Norma who was kind enough to nominate me. I'll be enjoying my bonus prize, a copy of Lauren O’Farrell's Stitch London and have decided I definitely need a Toerag the tube mouse in my life (a lot more cuddly and cute than the rats that have recently been raiding food in the chicken run!).

Thanks for making my continuing presence here possible through your support both in the form of pattern buying and your warm and friendly feedback.

 

Knitter

Wips

 

66 thoughts on “Privileges”

  2. Congratulations, that’s absolutely brilliant and very well deserved. It’s always such a treat to stop by here and see your beautiful photos. Very soothing! I’m glad that you escaped the stressful times and that you’ve created a life you love. CJ xx

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  3. Congratulations! I love reading your blog, although I always experience a bit of wistful life envy. Of course, it could be just yarn envy…. 🙂
    And your little animals always bring a little joyful whimsy…

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  4. Congratulations – so well deserved. Your work, photos and blog continue to inspire me and knitting has also brought peace and relaxation to my life – although I too have a little envy that I must carry on making a living away from my knitting needles! Your patterns are so detailed and your designs are genius. I wait with hopeful anticipation for the next animal pattern!
    Thank you. x

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  7. Dear Julie, I have read here for many years now, I am fortunate to have one of your bunnies, made by yourself, here sitting in sight as I type this ( Columbine), she is beautiful and I adore her, I am so thankfull, one that I found your blog all those years ago, and secondly that you share your talent with us all. You are an amazing knitter, a beautiful person and I will always read here, as long as you write. Your award is most deserved, congratulations.
    xxBrenda

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  8. I have a full three-ringed binder of your patters alone! Such beautiful work and such detailed and helpful patterns. Thank you! Congrats – you deserve it! xox

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  10. Congratulations! How wonderful! And well deserved–I’ve always appreciated your sharing glimpses into your part of world with all of us. 🙂

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  11. CONGRATULATIONS JULIE!!!!! I my mind you have been “knitter of the year” for quite some time! And for many years! Love the little badge fir the award. I adore all of your pattern & thought I should share that I have recently found a Meow Line of yarn that I will be using for my next Calico Cat. It is made in Canada. 🇨🇦… Ancient Fibres. They have all the possible cat colours…I have NO affiliation…just stumbled over them & became a fan. Currently I am having some fun making a chunky weight sweater for my hubby of 30 years (my first gift to him was a hand knit sweater) & some chunky baby blankets for bundles on the way. My plan is to have LCR friends to match…just have to sew them together 👍🏼
    Again…congrats! Enjoy the accolades and your better life once you embraced your passion.
    Fondly, Lori from Port Perry ❤️

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  14. Congratulations! I am a recent fan, having just found your patterns a few months ago, and your blog about a week ago! Your patterns are wonderful, whimsical, and take me back to a simpler, more childlike place as I knit. Thank you so much for sharing them.

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  15. Congratulations! Your blog is so beautiful, full of lovely knitting and gorgeous photos of your countryside. I love every bit of it.

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  17. I just love your blog, it is very inspiring to me. I always get lifted by looking at your lovely work. I bought the dress patterns for my granddaughter, who lives in Sydney Australia, and she gets so excited when I send her another little dress. So pleased I found you.

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  18. Congratulations! You are totally deserving of every distinction as a knitter and mother. We have all benefited from your change of vocations.

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  19. Congratulations on your award Julie. You are indeed a very talented lady, not just in pattern writing and knitting but your blog and your photographs are inspirational too.
    As I am sure you know, your patterns have given so many people a great deal of pleasure. Every time I knit a bunny I can hardly bear to give it away, but the recipients are always delighted so that makes it easier. Like Lori, I too knit blankets as presents for new babies in the family and for friends grandchildren and I also include one of your bunnies, they are perfect together.
    So thank you Julie,you truly deserve your Online Innovator knitter of the year award.

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  20. Ah how lovely to win an award! Somehow a bit of outside recognition means so much. And you have brought joy to me through your patterns and Millie Mouse. I always look forward to your posts. I spent twelve years in a stressful job and am so grateful that I was able to go part time, and at the moment I’m not working at all and enjoying life even more. It’s one way of making a knitter use up her stash! Long may your success continue, congratulations!

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  24. Awww, Julie, what a well-deserved award for you! You have always been “The Knitter of the Year” to me, for every year! Your journey with Toby has brought some thing into your life that you possibly did not expect (both challenges and rewards), and it is so nice that your knitting brings you rewards (and challenges too, but this is a wonderful reward!) Keep up the great work–you have so many knitters /wannabe knitters that you have inspired 😀

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  26. It is so nice to see someone so well deserving of the award. I have followed you for many , many years am inspired by your knitting, photography, and your will to push through the challenges life has given you. I wish I could knit so easily I suppose I could if I took the time. Instead, I find myself looking through blogs like yours. I always look forward to your writings as a mother of D.S. twins now 20 I understand it all. I found solace in redecorating when my twins were little. Any moment I could find it offered peace to do so. Thank you so very much, Julie for keeping me inspired to do better, learn better, and continue to create.

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  27. The coulours in the first picture !!! A gift for the eyes, so absolutely lovely ❤
    Many many congratulations for a well deserved reconition and thank you so much for that beautiful picture …it makes me smile and gives me the same sense of calm and armony that sometimes you feel when seeing an inexpected beauty spot
    A special hug from Italy
    barbara

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  31. Congratulations! An award well deserved. Your patterns and creations are fantastic. Always enjoy seeing them. I enjoy your blog and your photos are beautiful.
    Ps- did you make your needle holder that is in one of your above photo’s?

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  34. I imagine all the little cotton rabbits are grinning ear to ear with pride and the pleasure of being created by you. I add my congratulations, and my thanks for bringing so much beauty to the world through your creativity.

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  35. Julie, congratulations on your well deserved award. Your blog in my favorite!
    I love the afghan in your bottom photo. Hope to learn more about it soon?

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  37. YAY!!!!!! I am thrilled that you received the award. It was my pleasure to nominate you!!! You inspire all of us to be better human beings and better knitters! Congratulations!!!!

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  38. Congratulations Julie. It is so well deserved. You are wonderfully talented with your knitting patterns, eye for colour, photography, writing and most importantly, mothering! Take a bow.

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  39. Congratulations on the award and so well deserved. Your beautiful knitted toys bring so much joy to me and so many others!

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  43. Congratulations, you are well deserved! Once again, your eye for color is amazing. I am truly envious. I drink in your pictures. Have a wonderful day!

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  44. Congratulations! You more than deserve this recognition. Your blog is so lovely and charming and brings me such joy. I love your patterns so much. They are among my favorite to knit and I always get high praise from them because your attention to detail is so great, and your patterns so well written that the animals look beautiful every single time. Thank you for sharing your patterns and suggestions. I appreciate them so very much. Best wishes to you always!

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  45. Wow what a great compliment- I agree wholeheartedly in your being the recipient! 🙂 Thank you for sharing all your knitting (and crocheting!) lovelies. It is a great place, this blog of yours. I always enjoy a visit here!

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  47. Well done Julie on your award, so well deserved. Nothing beats the satisfaction of personal creativity and you generously share your skills so that we, too, enjoy our personal craft and the things we make.
    Thank you xx

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  49. Congatulations, Julie!! I am Dutch and I discovered your blog some months ago. I purchased one of your patterns and made a little bunny with dress, so adorable!!
    Your patterns are also very well written and explained in detail. I like them very much. Thank you for all your efforts!
    Best regards from Holland,
    Liesbeth

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  51. Well deserved award. I’ve been enjoying your blog and your patterns for years. Thanks for your generosity in sharing your talents and creations with us.
    Bonnie

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  55. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you. You deserve so much recognition in the art of knitting. I enjoy making all your animal patters. You blog is enchanting with all your beautiful pictures.

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  56. congratulation!!!
    i love reading your blog and see your pictures and hopefully more in the future.
    have a nice day, kisses for Toby and Amy

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  58. Not at all surprised at the award, and so well deserved. I haven’t got round to knitting one of your wonderful little animals but I have the yarn ready. Your blog is my go to place when I need to relax. It is beautiful thank you.
    Wendy

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  60. Thanks Lyn. I didn’t make it (being absolutely rubbish at sewing) but it was made by a friend of mine – she actually made it for my daughter Amy and it had a lovely set of colouring pencils in it but I pinched it when the pencils were worn down to stubs as it is a perfect needle roll!

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  61. Thanks Debra, I’ve been working on that afghan for over a year and it’s still tiny! There’s some notes about the pattern and yarn on my Ravelry proect page if you wanted to know wat it’s made from…
    http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bunnyknitter/criss-cross
    Hopefully I’ll finish it sometime this year and take some pictures of it when it’s full size and got a border, don’t hold your breath though, it could be a while 🙂

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  63. Many congratulations on a well deserved award. Your blog always brings me a sense of peace, balance and simplicity that I’m trying hard to emulate. I’m happy for you.

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