November days seem to have sped past me here, and although I’ve been busy with lots of different things I don’t seem to have much to show for them, though I have managed to snap a few pictures along the way. Autumn has peaked, with all it’s golden glory and the trees have seemed particularly spectacular this year. Our November highlights have included misty mornings; sudden storms; golden leaves and golden skies; wood walks; sock and mitten knitting; comfort food casseroles and the first fire lighting of the season.
Yesterday was the start of meteorological winter and it does feel like autumn is now over. Most of the leaves now lay strewn across the lawns, and the winds have turned chilly and persistent. It’s a good time for curling up in a cosy spot and knitting warm things and I have been mostly knitting socks and mittens. I was so taken with this ‘golden praline’ colour that I’m using it in two separate projects and knitting from either end of the skein at the same time, not something to be recommended as it does lead to lots of bad words being uttered at the terrible tangles that develop. The pattern for the socks is ‘Lucky me socks’ by Pia Kammeborn and the mitten pattern is ‘Alfredo gloves‘ by Suzanne Stallard. The yarns are all The Uncommon Thread tough sock, and I’ve paired the ‘golden praline’ with creamy ‘manuscript’ and dark, moody ‘cobble’.
My thoughts are now turning to celebrations of the winter solstice and Christmas and I’m looking forward to having our family all together again when Amy comes back in a couple of weeks. I’ve felt a little quiet and melancholy of late, so all of the sparkle, warmth and fun of late December and the New Year will be very welcome. I hope to be around here a little more over December days, so hope to see you again soon. Thanks as always for dropping in to visit with me.
little cotton rabbits 
Beautiful photos Julie,that really show our Hertfordshire autumn at its best! It will be wonderful to have Amy home soon for her Christmas break and to hear all about Uni life! Xx
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Thanks for the wonderful pictures, Julie! “Golden praline” looks exactly like the leaves in front of your window. Great colour. I admire your knitting projects!
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I always so enjoy reading your blog, the beautiful pictures of your marvelous country side and the projects you are making are so inspiring. You have such a gift for capturing the the essence of photos. So beautiful to look at.
It will be uplifting to have your little family all back together at Christmas. Much to look forward to with Amy being back. The busyness of all holidays and all that involves.
I must tell you I donated about 20 of my LCR animals to a cat shelter for their bazaar. People loved them and they all sold by noon. I was so happy they were such a hit. I wanted to say thank you Julie for making these adorable patterns. It warmes my heart that I can share the end products with others and help sponsor some money for this cat shelter. They do amazing work with the kitties they have. I asked if they wanted more for next year and they said absolutely. So now I have a purpose for making them as I seem to be addicted. You should put on your patterns may be habit forming. I’m not alone in this obsession of making your little animals. 😆
I look forward to seeing your next blog and I’m hoping the holidays are uplifting for you. Take good care of yourself and find things that make you laugh. That’s what I do when I’m feeling a bit down.
Sandy
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Lovely photos. I have a suggestion when knitting from both the inside and outside of a cake of yarn. I like to knit my socks in tandem so I often do this. When knitting from the inside the cake needs to be sitting upright with yarn coming out of top. When working from the outside the cake needs to be turned upside down with the inside yarn facing down. Hope that helps with the “terrible tangles”.
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Ahhhhh the socks and those windows !!!
Love the pictures !
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ahhhhhh … góód tip !!!
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Your colour combinations for both the socks and mitts are perfect for this time of year… blue skies and autumn leaves. Sorry to hear you have been feeling a little melancholy of late and hope that Amy’s return and a bit of Christmas sparkle will lift your spirits. Maybe we can grab a coffee together in the new year… it would be lovely to catch up again x
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Whew! So relieved to see this post… I can conclude perhaps that your melancholy contributed to your absence. I walk with you. The ebb & flow of life. Warm thoughts & comforting wishes your way.
As always, Lori from Port Perry
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Lovely autumnal photos Julie, you have captured this years colours beautifully!
Gorgeous knitting too with equally gorgeous colours.
It will be great for you to have Amy home again for the holidays.
V x
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So sorry you’ve been feeling a little down lately, I do hope it passes very soon. Gorgeous photos, that yarn is divine. You made me smile with your knitting from both ends. I have been known to get in some very bad yarn tangles. I love the picture of the mushrooms, amazing. Wishing you a good December. It will be lovely to have Amy back soon. CJ xx
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What gorgeous photos and I love the knitting color choices! Hope the holidays and having Amy back will bring you lots of cheer!
xo, Susan
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Sorry to hear you’ve been melancholy. I’m sure you look forward to having your family all together again soon. I love the autumn colors you’re knitting with. I purchased the Lucky Me pattern and now you’ve inspired me to get it out and knit… right after the Christmas knitting is in hand.
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Beautiful photos (as always) capturing the best of autumn. You should enter competitions with the quality and content of your pictures! Thanks for sharing them with us
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Such beautiful photos as ever and once again I am not a little jealous of your perfect knitting tension! Having been a knitter for around 50 years ( I started young hee hee!) I still aspire to have tension like yours!!
We miss you when you are not around, but understand life gets overwhelming at times.
((hugs))
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Reading your blog and admiring your photos are always a deep pleasure, but your knitting, the colours, the patterns, and the tension as commenter Jo above says, is always perfection, a joy to behold.
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Amazing colours! Autumn has such a magic… Makes me dream looking at those beautiful colours.
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Once again your pictures are stunning, so peaceful. I love the mitts.
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Hi Julie – your Autumn pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I discovered your blog a few years ago and have been enjoying your posts ever since. The first time I entered the lottery to win one of your wonderful creations was November 2016 when you had the critters dressed in the blue, red, and cream dresses (with birds, reindeer, etc). After not winnng one, I purchased the yarn to knit one but it ended up sitting in a basket for the past two years. After not winning one again this year I was finally motivated to start knitting them. I started going back to your previous posts to find a picture of them and I got hooked. I read posts all the way back to 2008. This is getting long so I just want to say that among all the treasures that I found along the way, your daughter Amy singing “O’ Christmas Tree” was one of my favorites. Anyone who hasn’t heard it should go back in your posts to that time and listen. It is so endearing!!
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Hi Julie
Your knitting and your photos are just perfection. We have all missed you these last few weeks and hope you feel better soon, as I am sure you will when all the family are together again for Christmas.
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I forgot to mention that the post with Amy singing is around December 2012.
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Gorgeous pictures and I sure love all that you have on your needles. Beautiful autumn coloursxoxo
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Beautiful knitting Julie, I love that the colours of your knitting match the seasons.
Enjoy your family time xx
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Beautiful photos indeed – and I love your little knitted friends. (I was introduced to your blog by Thimbleanna – I’m her Edinburgh friend.) I hope you have a lovely Christmas.
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Just beautiful photos, Julie – thank you for sharing. I’m knitting one of your bear patterns for the first time (after making multiple bunnies over the years and a couple of foxes) and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! Using Malabrigo yarn also makes it extra enjoyable. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and holiday time together.
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Thank you from New Zealand Julie. Just beautiful. Merry Christmas and hope you keep well..
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Thanks so much Jane, we do live in a beautiful part of the world 🙂 I am looking forward to having Amy here again xxx
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It does! It’s such a great autumnal colour isn’t it? Thanks so much Mirjam x
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That’s a great achievement Sandy, I’m so pleased that the animals you knitted were so popular and helped raise some funds for a very good cause. It’s a nice feeling when you can do some good by doing something that you love.
Thanks so much for your kind words, and you’re definitely right about laughter – it’s a good tonic. Happy knitting 🙂
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That is a good tip Mindy, thanks so much for sharing x
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Thanks so much Els xx
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That sounds like a very welcome idea Gina, it would be lovely to see you in the New year and catch up, it’s been too long, Thanks so much for your kind comment and the suggestion xxx
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Thanks for walking the path ahead of me Lori, it’s good to know that I’m following in the footsteps of others who well know the ups and downs and are still there with a smile and warm words of encouragement and support xxx
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Thanks so much Vivienne. I wish the days of golden leaves and warm light lingered a little longer – it’s turned grey and flat and dull now that winter has swept in. Hope you’re keeping cosy and planning a lovely Christmas time with those you love xxx
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Thanks so much for your kind wishes CJ, I am feeling a little more up-beat this week. I hope all is well with you, I’ll be popping by to catch up with your news later in the week, looking forward to reading what you’ve been up to, your posts always make me smile as you have such a lovely way with words xxx
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Thanks so much Susan, I’m definitely looking forward to this Christmas more than most, it will be lovely to all be together again for a while. Hope you have a cosy and happy holiday season too xxx
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Thank you so much Bonnie, it will be lovely to be together over Christmas and I am really looking forward to it. Hope your Christmas knitting is going well xxx
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Thanks so much for the lovely compliment Judy, I do love taking photos – having my camera in hand does makes me notice things that I’d otherwise pass by 🙂
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Oh thank you Jo for the very kind compliment. I am a bit of a perfectionist with my knitting! Thanks too for the lovely hugs xx
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You’re very kind Jenni – thanks so much for your lovely comment, I’m very touched xx
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You’re so right Teresa, there is a magic to Autumn, I wish it lasted a little longer as most years it seems so brief!
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Thanks so much Abby. The mitts pattern is a lovely one, I’ve made a pair before in darker colours but fancied another pair with lighter tones.
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Thanks so much for your kind words Beverly. I’m so glad you reminded me about the Christmas video Amy helped me make, I got a bit teary and nostalgic listening to her sing there. She’d probably groan and roll her eyes at that (as she probably did when I asked her to record it) but I’m very glad that we have that, childhood whizzes by so quickly!
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Thank you so much Sue, I really appreciate your kindness xxx
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The colours were definitely good this autumn, I’m glad I have the pictures as the leaves are all gone for this year. Thanks so much Wendy xx
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Thanks so much Brenda, I think I am a bit of a seasonal knitter 🙂 Hope you have a lovely December xx
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Thanks so much Pam. Hope you’re keeping warm in the wintery winds up in Edinburgh and that you have a lovely Christmas too x
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Oh that’s a good choice Henkela, I love Malabrigo yarn. Happy bear knitting and wishing you a wonderful Christmas too xxx
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Merry Christmas to you too Ann and thanks so much for your kind comment xx
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Wow Julie. Your pictures are stunning, as always. And the effect of that second knitting picture followed by the shot of the leaves through the window — both pictures with the same colors — is just fantastic as one scrolls through your post. Did we even have an October and November? They sped by here too!
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Your blog posts are always so beautiful and touch my heart. Beautiful pictures, beautiful words from a beautiful person. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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