February might be the shortest month but it always feels to me like time runs much more slowly in February than in any other month. To be honest I’m tired of grey, dreary, overcast days and I’m so looking forward to feeling the days lengthen out and seeing brighter colours emerging in the countryside. I’ll be off on a snowdrop hunt sometime later this week because those delicate little bell shaped flowers are always the first signal of a change in the seasons. In the meantime I’m cosying indoors and knitting February away. For some reason I seem to have been mostly knitting in blue for the last few months. Do you find that you get drawn to a particular colour at a particular time? I was knitting mostly in warm tones of gold, pink and mustard throughout last year but blue seems to be the colour of the moment for me, though I think I might be hitting saturation point as I have been finding myself looking at lots of lovely brown speckley yarns on Etsy.
Anyway, two pairs of socks have been finished, the top ones are Fair Isle Flower Sock by Candice DeWitt knitted mostly in Eden Cottage Hayton ‘tarn’ and below are a pair knitted from Helen Stewart’s Fragment sock pattern in Madeline Tosh twist light yarn ‘well water’ (I’ve added both as projects to ravelry if you wanted links to yarns etc.)
The pair I’m currently making are from the Kia sock pattern by Dawn Henderson. It’s a lovely rhythmic and relaxing pattern, perfect for knitting when you just want something undemanding to occupy your hands and soothe your mind from a busy day, and it’s generously shared for free (though if you use the pattern you could buy Dawn a ko-fi to thank her).
In other news I’ve had some interesting visitors in the garden. With the weather being colder last week, and there being less food out in the countryside towards this end of winter, we’ve had flocks of finches swooping in to the bird feeders (mostly gold and green finches); the squirrel has been doing his best acrobatics in his attempts to loot some of the bounty and we’ve also had a few rather exotic visitors moving into the area from London. This is a ring necked parakeet – and she’s not alone as one morning a flock of 12 or so flew over and I’m now regularly hearing their raucous calls echoing around the neighbourhood. My favourite garden visitor though has been this cheeky fox. I always know when he’s around (usually appearing in the hour before sunset) as the chickens go berserk with squawking and when I look out there he is running up and down outside of the run trying to get in. As soon as I go out he runs down the side of our house and leaps through a narrow gap in the fence to our neighbours garden and there he stays in the hope I’ll go back inside, every now and then popping his head through the gap to check if I’m still there. I’m very happy to have him in come and visit because he’s beautiful and such a character but I’m not sure my chickens are as pleased the have him around!
little cotton rabbits 
Beautiful photographs, as always, Julie, so lovely to read your blog and love the socks … wish I could! xxx
LikeLike
I love blue, your blue knitting is gorgeous. Love those little feet in the blue sandshoes as we used to call them. Not hat I ever had the luxury of blue ones.
Thanks for the photos. How lovely to have a fox peeping through the fence & a tropical feel with the parakeet.
LikeLike
Fox and Socks…someone should write a book about that! LOL Your socks are lovely but your fox takes my breath away! You are such a wonderful photographer!
LikeLike
Gorgeous photographs as always Julie. I love the fox checking your movements. My daughter has a rabbit and hutch outside and Timmy the rabbit goes mad when the local fox comes to check him! My son-in-law has fleeting glimpses of the fox , usually in poor light , and it can’t get at Timmy but he gets a fright and thumps his back legs like crazy. I wish they could photograph the fox as you’ve done yours but theirs is obviously more timid. Your blue phase has produced lovely results and spring will be here soon and the nights are slightly lighter for longer. Best wishes for your snowdrop hunt!
LikeLike
Thank you for cheering me up on this grey and rainy February day!
LikeLike
As always, I loved your post. Beautiful photos, beautiful knitting, comfortable soothing writing. You are an artist on so many levels. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
Love the blue so much! Especially your new socks with your cute sneakers. 🙂 The fox is darling! So much cuter than the possums and raccoons we have in our yard. Love that he keeps checking to see if you are there.
LikeLike
Beautiful socks and absolutely brilliant photography!!!
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos! Thank you xx
LikeLike
Talking of foxes…we feed up to 7 foxes every night in the garden and have put out a trail cam to observe their nightly visits! Fascinating to watch!
LikeLike
What a beautiful foto’s! And interesting visitors in your garden. Especially the fox!
LikeLike
What delightful pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us:). Your knitting is so lovely, as usual.
LikeLike
Poor chickens … but oh my goodness how beautiful is your fox friend!! I would be thrilled to have him in my garden!! Your photos are so beautiful Julie and how amazing to have parakeets coming for food!!
Love your socks, I’m a big fan of blue. 🙂
V x
LikeLike
Thank you for the lovely photos. We don’t have foxes in New Zealand. They are very colourful ,intriguing little animal.
LikeLike
What a lovely garden and such interesting visitors you’ve had there!! I think blue is the perfect late winter color….reminds me of the landscape, soft and muted….I’ve got a few silly daffodils peeking up now, and a Lenten Rose about to bloom….but I know winter isnt over yet and they might be in for it! Love visiting you here…
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos as always Julie, so lovely to hear from you. Just love those blue socks!
Sue x
LikeLike
Beautiful socks! Beautiful fox!
LikeLike
I find January and Feb fly by in the blink of an eye but then we have birthdays to plan for and celebrate so that helps with the winter blues. I love your photos of your garden visitors :o)
LikeLike
Such special little visitors! I have only raccoons, squirrels, cats, bunnies, California Blue Jays and Hummingbirds visiting my yard – in addition to the not-so-noticeable insects, and gophers. There are a few other birds and butterflies, but none as colorful as yours. Love your photos, socks and tiny feet! It’s always good to hear from you.
LikeLike
Wonderful photos, and lovely to see the fox, what a beauty. And the ring-necked parakeet. I’ve never seen one, but I know there are lots further east. Fantastic socks, nicely done. CJ xx
LikeLike
Amazing photos, (and socks of course). You have such an artistic eye. We don’t have foxes or squirrels in New Zealand and I imagine it is all Beatrix Potter land where you are. Don’t disillusion me, please 🙂
LikeLike
What a fabulous photo of the fox! Love all your blue socks too Julie x
LikeLike
That photo of the fox deserves an award – just stunning! Love the ‘paperwhites’ in the little pot too and so envious of all your socks – you make it all look so easy! Enjoy your ‘blue’ knits – soon be Spring 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, a fox got some of our girls so although they look good they can be deadly. Love the sox
LikeLike
Beautiful crafty fox!! He made me smile on a wet day! 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful photos!
LikeLike
Lovely photos and I love your blue socks. Maybe it’s the longing for blue skies that draw us to that color this time of year. And those white daffodils in the Pip Wilcox vase are magnificent. I’d love to sit in your garden with you and watch for visitors.
LikeLike
I have missed you so much since the demise of my old laptop. My new one and I now have the joy of catching up with your family and knitting news tomorrow. Hope all is well.
LikeLike
Do you knit one sock at a time o the two socks at the same time?
LikeLike
Ohmygosh! How FUN to have a fox visit you regularly — I’d be in heaven! He’s so beautiful — I’m glad your chickens are all bundled up and safe. I LOVE your beautiful blue projects — blue is my favorite color (which is why Bonnie’s little dress is so perfect!) Beautiful post — as always Julie!!!
LikeLike
I can’t tell you how much this post made me smile, in our also dreary part of the world (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)… I had no idea that London has this tropical flock, and I love everything about it!!!
I rarely comment, but your posts are always a treat!
Thank you!
Diane
LikeLike