crafts & knitting

Picking up speed (gradually)

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

 

Spring2018

 

Pinkandblue

 

Lamb

 

Drops10

 

Drops6

 

Drops8

 

Drops9

 

The start of January always feels a little like pedalling uphill – it takes a lot of effort and you don't feel like you're getting anywhere. Christmas holidays are such a time of lazy indulgence and everyday chores like cleaning the bath and staying on top of the washing take a back seat, so that when the festivities are all over and the last of the decorations are tidied away you're left with a long list of catch ups. Anyway, I'm doing what all good knitters do and am studiously making lists to ignore in favour of casting on new projects. I'm enjoying bunny and lamb knitting (which must be influenced by the thought that spring is edging closer) and I hope to have a batch of animals ready to find new homes before Easter.

Soft shell pinks and pale baby blues are the colours drawing me in at the moment and as always I'm enjoying mixing and matching. Not that it has been particularly easy doing so as recent days have been very dull and overcast and choosing colours really needs to be done in good light or, as in my previous experience, you end up with combinations that look awful. There have been a few spells of watery sunshine in between the murkiness, which have been especially pretty as they've turned all the drops on the trees to silver. Still, I'm grateful that our weather grumbles here pale into complete insignificance when compared to some of the conditions that others face around the world and my thoughts today are with friends in California.

I hope the start of your new year has been quietly uneventful and gently productive, look forward to catching up with you all soon x

 

76 thoughts on “Picking up speed (gradually)”

  2. Awwww, look at that adorable little lambie — pictures of your adorable little animals just never get old. Always beautifully laid out and so calm and serene. Happy New Year — I’m looking forward to an exciting 2018 and hope you are too!

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  3. Wonderful pictures. Always look forward to your posts and to see what projects you are working on.
    Wishing you a Happy New Year.
    Deb M

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  6. Your photos are a joy Julie and a complete antidote to the grimness here today…but as you say a bit of fog isn’t really anything to complain about!
    My new year didn’t quite start off as I would have liked having managed to get the flu, my head is full of things I want to do and make unfortunately my body isn’t co-operating !!
    Wishing you a happy 2018!
    V x

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  7. Very grey here in Michigan too but thankful not to have the violent situations that California has been experiencing. First fires, now floods and mudslides.

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  10. I love the idea of the bunnies for Easter. I think that will give me motivation to sew mine together for my 2 toddlers instead of large chocolate eggs.
    It is so lovely reading the blog of someone so local as I grew up in Hertford and have now ventured to Cambridge.
    Many thanks for your beautiful designs and blog
    Philippa

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  11. January can be dreary, I like to look at nature, in the hedgerows catkins are just waiting for a bit of warmth to bring them to life and the Snowdrops are looking fabulous in the garden, Cyclamen and Hellebores are coming out daily and even a sweet violet is bravely showing, all signs Spring is not far away, gladdens the heart. Cannot wait for the Spring lambs, just love to hear them. Happy knitting. Love your pictures as always. Kim W

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  12. My bunnies are already on the needles for Easter, a much better gift than a chocolate egg. A gift to cherish for years to come, to pass down through the family line and, possibly, a memory for generations!

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  14. Thanks so much Anna, laying everything out like this is a calming process so maybe that helps the atmosphere of the pictures. Best wishes for your exciting 2018, I’m hoping my year includes the excitement of meeting up with you and Bonnie in the summer xxx

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  23. Thanks so much Philippa. Chocolate does have it’s place, especially at Easter but it’s gone so quickly whereas knitted bunnies are there to be cuddled for a long time. I grew up in Berkshire but definitely think of Hertford as home now, it seems to have a bit of everything – lovely woods, lakes and canals, pretty countryside and a bustling town life. Cambridge is rather special though, such a lovely city. Hope you’re having a lovely start to the new year x

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  27. I know exactly what you mean about the pedalling uphill, it’s much the same here. Where to start?! I was looking at raindrops in the sun earlier and thinking how pretty they were. Wishing I had my camera. I am seconding your words about California. CJ xx

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  30. Oh dear. We have moved from a big house to a small one and so much is in storage. There is a new great grandchild on the way and I can’t find my rabbit and bear patterns. Let alone the wool. Now what did I pack them in?? Love your patterns.

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  31. Your nature pictures are always so beautiful. Have you ever considered doing a coffee table book. They are so relaxing. I sometimes just come to your blog to look at your nature pictures.

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  32. It looks like you have made a good start Julie, I love those pastel blues and pinks with cream. Looking forward to another year of your beautiful knitting, photographs and patterns. Hope 2018 is a good year for you and your loved ones. Sue x

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  33. Thanks for your lovely message. It makes me feel hopeful. Though I’m not ready for spring knitting yet, it encourages me to finish the projects I set aside last year in order to start new ones. Gwen

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  34. Thanks CJ, hopefully we’ll all get into the rhythm of the year soon and things won’t feel so disorganised a little brighter warmer weather would help the motivation too! There is something special though about the low sunlight at this time of year – it does illuminate things like the raindrops on trees that you’d not see at times of the year when the sun is much higher overhead. Wishing you a good start to 2018 and looking forward to catching up with you blog soon xxx

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  37. Oh Penny, I feel for you. I tidied lots of things away in bags to make room for the Christmas tree and make the house tidier for guests and now I can’t find anything but your situation must be 10 times worse! I hope you find your wool and if you need new copies of patterns emailed I’m always happy to help – just drop me a line. Best wishes with settling in x

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  38. Thanks so much Abby, I do love taking pictures but I’m not sure I’m organised enough to do anything with them other than on the blog here. I do need to get out for another walk soon as I’ve not yet done a proper one this year but it’s been so dismal that curling up by the fire is more appealing!

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  41. Those pinks and blues are just lovely and a good reminder that spring will come. I’m thankful I don’t get the uphill cycle feeling in January as I battle enough with that feeling in the autumn. I do hope it levels out for you and progress is made.
    So looking forward to seeing your next release of lovelies.

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  42. Hello Julie !
    Your little lamb is adorable as always. I look forward to seeing a new collection of animals… The colours you chose are wonderful and the yarns look so soft. I hope you will soon be done with all your chores. It is pretty much the same here !
    Love from France

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  45. Thank you so much for another wonderful post. I look forward to each and every one of them. The photographs are beautiful and what you write is so thoughtful and well-composed. A very Happy 2018 to you and your family!

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  46. Every photo you post cheers me up. Things outside are so gloomy right now. I’m looking forward to spring and renewed life’s and energy. And I’m so hoping for a meetup this summer. I can hardly wait to visit your beautiful country.

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  48. Oh mi querida,adoro ese cordero! Ya quiero hacerlo, he comprado casi todos tus creaciones! Eres increíble! De este lado del hemisferio, vivo en Argentina,en América del Sur,es verano. Super agobiante, no me llevo bien con el calor,hace que todo se hace lento, y me pongo en piloto automático. Gracias por tus hermosas fotos! Cariños Vicky

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  49. Julie,
    I too come here for some calming words and images and am always rewarded. The pinks and blues and that dear sweet lamb, thank you for sharing your gifts with us. Happy New Year!

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  50. The beginning of this year has been DELIGHTFULLY slow, 😍 A nice steady rise in the catching up process, but I took a break from chores today to watch Netflix & take a nap. ☺️ Glad you’re enjoying the new year… can’t wait to see all the precious creatures you create!

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  52. Another gorgeous post Julie 🙂
    I’ve tried to leave a couple of messages for you as I have a link
    for Toby.
    They disappear though 😦 if this gets through maybe you could email me
    and I can send you the link.
    Lucy

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