There are now pigs in the Little Cotton Rabbits pattern range! It is such a relief to sign off on these patterns, it does feel like I’ve been working on them for a very long time.
The finished patterns themselves are very straightforward but when I’m pattern writing I do like to try out lots of different ways of doing the same thing with the hopeful aim that the final pattern will be easy to use and give a toy that someone is pleased to have made. Inevitably this means a lot of frogged samples and things in the bin but also leaves me with a lot of heads that now need bodies, so I’ll be making lots of finished animals from now until Christmas!
One of the hardest things about writing up the pig patterns has been choosing the yarn to make them in, pink yarn has to be the hardest colour to choose from on-screen pictures. I ordered masses of different worsted, DK and Aran weight pink yarns and was constantly surprised when each batch arrived. I’d sift through 10 balls of what I’d hoped would be perfect piggy pinks only to find some were too salmon-coloured, some were dirty pinks, some too boiled lobster-ish. I finally decided upon Milliamia’s Naturally soft Aran in Blush (229) as the main colour for the pigs in the patterns. It’s a nice rosy pink (think creamy strawberry milkshake) and the yarn is soft and not too expensive. You can see below some of the other yarns that were on my shortlist – the runner up was definitely Quince and Co Lark in Petal which was probably my personal favourite but being a very pale shell pink didn’t show up so well in the photos and maybe harder for people to get hold of.
I’ve had a lot of fun coming up with some different designs to represent different pig breeds too. I have a real soft spot for Tamworth pigs which have coarse ginger hair all over their bodies and so much character. So there are tips in the pattern for yarns to use to get a similar effect. There’s also a pattern for a pig with a patch (a bit like a Gloucester Old Spot pig) and an alternative set of ears if you’d rather make a floppy eared pig. Both patterns include all options.
The boy pig pattern includes shorts and a sailor sweater (both removable). The shorts can be knitted with stripes all over or in a single colour. The girl pig has short socks and shoes (both attached) and a removable dress and within the pattern there are easier or more complex options for the socks.
The patterns are now available via Ravelry and I’ll be uploading them to Etsy shortly.
As always, I’d love your feedback on these patterns and I’m eagerly awaiting the uploading of the first projects over on Ravelry. The Little Cotton Rabbits Ravelry group is full of lovely people who like sharing projects they’ve made, so if you do give any of the patterns a go please come and join in, we’d love to admire what you’ve made.
Happy knitting xxx
little cotton rabbits 
Oh Julie they are absolutely wonderful…I love them and I know my granddaughter will too as she loves piggies!
So many pinks too, goodness who would have thought it!
Right I’m off to get my piggy patterns, thanks again for a brilliant design. 🙂
V x
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So glad you included the floppy ears. When I was little, my family raised Chester White pigs. When I saw the floppy ears, I KNEW those piglets! Lovely!
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Love the piggy with floppy ears
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I’ve passed out! Sent you a text….from my prone position on the floor.
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Wow, they’re amazing, the detail is absolutely brilliant, with different breeds and different ears, just wow! I think the Gloucester Old Spot has to be my favourite. I do so love your photos of bowls of heads. All waiting for a body, then they can set out on their journey. Nicely done Julie. CJ xx
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Beautiful! I just bought both patterns on Ravelry 🙂
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Ahhhhh … they are so CUTE !!!
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As usual you have done it again. Produced an adorable animal. The attention to detail is amazing, not just giving us the pattern but with options on ears and patches. You are a wonder. Well done. Off to buy the pattern now.
Kim
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Those pigs look just gorgeous. Specially all the different breed heads.
As for choosing yarn colours from a screen display . . . I’ve had a couple of disappointments that way. And the website yarn suppliers weren’t too helpful when that was pointed out!
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ooooohh! I’ve been waiting for the piggies! They’re just as sweet as can be and I’m so excited you dressed them in spiffy little sailor outfits! Thank you for another adorable pattern!
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Love them!!
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Ooooo…Julie!!!! They are wonderful! You have put a ✔️On my wish list. The outfits are perfect 👌. I am just waking up & this is a great way to start my day…now I have a plan for a little fun; buy pattern, purchase yarn & plan my pair of pigs 🐷 🐷. You are a wonder! Thank you!
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Trop mignon …même si je n’ai pas tout compris !
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Trop mignon …même si je n’ai pas tout compris !
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These are just delightful Julie. So sweet, and fit right in with the rabbits, cats and bears! Another project added to the bucket list of crafting!
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Aww they are so cute love them but then love all your toys
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Wow Julie — Just WOW!!! I LOVE these little piggies — they’re ADORABLE!!! Who would have thought there were so many pink options out there? When I visited Bonnie this summer, I was lucky to see the cute little pig that she purchased from you years ago — we were speculating that a pig would be your next pattern. I’ll definitely be adding these patterns to my collection!!! (And their little outfits!!! EEEEE — Just. Too. CUTE!!!)
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Julie they are amazing and so are you for discovering them and the pattern! Off to get pattern
Thank you, Robin
Just brilliant ❤️
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Hi Julie,
OMG!! those pigs are just too cute 🙂 I love them!
Oh how I wish that I could knit them but my skill level is just not up to it 😦
I will stick to card making but search for an experienced knitter who will be willing to knit one for me!
Well done you for completing the pattern – all that hard work really payed off.
Eve xx
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They are so cute. I really wish I were a better knitter! Your patterns are always so nice.
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Julie, I so admire how you fine tune all your patterns and make such beautiful little animals! I don’t have the
time to attempt knitting your animals, but just looking at your masterpieces makes my day and lifts my spirits! 🙂
xoxo Susan
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Julie you have done it again! These piggies are completely adorable! I too have a soft spot for Tamworths but I also want to make a floppy eared piggy.
I am off over to Ravelry to buy my patterns.
Thank you for all the hard work you put into writing these patterns, you are a star.
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Another must have winner. My granddaughter is called affectionally, piggie and I have a very sick friend that loves piggies. This is a must make for them. thanks so much. I am so glad that I saw the post today.
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As I opened the page and scrolled down, I saw the little sailor top and just died from the cuteness!!!
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These are so adorable! Thank you for once again offering such a lovely knitted item with a beautifully written pattern. I always look forward to your new patterns.Today is going to be “one of those days” so I’m very grateful for this bright moment to keep me going. 😉
Best wishes always!
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Julie– Your needle are magical! and you imagination superb. As usual all your creations are adorable.
xo
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Squeee!
I grew up on a dairy farm but my sister had pigs. Our yellow lab puppy’s name is Olive, but we call her piglet because she has never barked, but snorts. 🐶🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷
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These are so cute. I love the big floppy ears. That bowl of pig heads looks great as it is too 🙂
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So much attention to detail…these are marvelous!
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I just can’t wait to get started on the lovely pigs. I love the sailor outfits; you design some really pretty clothes Julie. Is it wrong that I love the clothes as much as the animals?
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Just simply wonderful! I adore the floppy ears , my absolute favourite pattern animal pig. A big thank you for making my wish come true. Can’t wait to knit them…
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Please note that there will be little cotton rabbits piggies in South Africa as well! So exited and keen to get started, so I will purchase the patterns now and quickly finish my current project! Thank you. Forever a FAN!
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Absolutely great !!!!?
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Julie, the pigs are absolutely adorable.
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Oh my, those little curly tails and those pink snouts. I’ve already been over to Ravelry and bought both patterns.
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Wow Julie. Your animals are awesome and these pigs are way too cute. Thank you Julie for sharing your amazing talent. Your patterns are the best stuffed animal knitting pattern I have encountered. Thank you so much for making all instructions super clear and very easy to understand. Can’t even be better, not even in a video. You are a genius and your creation is the very reason I knit.
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Just purchased the pattern. Plan on getting the yarn tomorrow. Ps I’m the one who has been BEGGING you for the piggy pattern.
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I just love them!
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I was hoping for piggies and your patterns have exceeded all our expectations as usual. Not only are all the piggies gorgeous (those floppy ears!), the sailor outfits are perfect. You have brightened up what is a very grey wet day here.
Off to Revelry now ….
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Hi Julie,
Amazing, amazing, amazing. The piggies are just something else – thank you for your incredible patience in producing not just a lovely little creature, but a well-dressed one to boot! Thank you. I’m running out of adjectives but your shawl is truly a work of art – it really looks very, very, classy – beautiful.
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WOW Wow!!!! Love these gorgeous pigglings!…Thank you Julie for working so hard on this pattern so that we may enjoy making them this winter….Floppy Ears will brighten up any dull day. Just Love them!
Jxx
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So cute as usual. I will try to knit one as soon as possible. Thank you for all your work, and thank you for sharing it with us !
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Perfect Piggies! What excitement… they’re already on my knitting needles.
Thank you again for sharing your amazing talent. x
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Never knew there was so many shades of pink yarn. Love the bowl of pigs heads, such talent, you’ve done a good job. Cathy x
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As usual, you’ve outdone yourself. I’ve just finished knitting the girl pig in Lark. Now off to finish if up. These are the cutest. Thanks for sharing your incomparable talent. I have had so much fun knitting all of your little animals. Thanks again Julie.
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These are darling! And I LOVE the floppy ears and colored patches!
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Julie, you never disappoint! Love the piggies. Love their little outfits. That floppy-eared guy might just be my favorite.
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So excited to make sailor suits for all of my animals and to ad a pair of piggies to the club!
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Julie, you are so amazing. Your toy patterns are so adorable and your photos are so beautiful. I get so much enjoyment from your blog. Thanks!
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Thanks so much for these patterns Julie! I was good & got all my housecleaning complete this weekend so I can cast on without guilt tomorrow. 🤗
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The piggies are so cute!
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Enchanting. You are a marvel. Oink!
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Fabulous designs as always, I have a real soft spot for pigs!!
I love these two. Thanks for the offer.
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just the cutest Julie! you are amazingly talented and creative!!
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Love these piggies! I grew up on a hog farm:) I just ordered the same yarn you used from love knitting. But I have a question, since this is an Aran weight, did you increase the needle size? Or use your standard 3mm for the body?
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Oh, Tamworth! My favourite! I will have to make one for friends who raise them.😊
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Julie, they are really cute. We breed Tamworth pigs, and I also knit your animals, so I think some visitors to our farm may well be getting little souvenirs!! By the way, the ‘technical’ terms for pig ears are: upright ears are known as ‘pricked’; floppy ears are known as ‘lop’.
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Hi Julie. These Piggies are just adorable. You’ve worked so hard! They would make beautiful Christmas presents. We’ve shared your post in our Christmas Craft Inspiration Roundup. Our readers will love them. https://craftylikegranny.com/christmas-craft-inspiration/ Cheers Jodie 🙂
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I would give up eating bacon to be able to knit like this! My granddaughters would love this cute little pigs. I would love to have these on an antique bookcase we have…
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They are all very cute! My favorite is the one with bigger ears… xxx Anne
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They’re gorgeous! I’ve made 3 now, one with little ears & two with the bigger ones. Everyone who sees them loves them.
I’ve knitted almost 80 (77 to be exact!) of the animals, and I just want you to know how much of a joy your patterns are,
both to the knitter and the recipients. I used to be an artist but now I’m disabled due to a spinal injury, so I spend my time
sitting knitting beautiful little animals from beautiful luxury yarns in very well considered colours!
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Just bought the boy piggie pattern. Hoping to get three made before his birthday so we can play 3 little pigs 😛 I think a pink one, an orange speckle and a white with spots would go well. Maybe a black one?
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