The pictures above are a little selection of things from the last month here:
I’ve been working on several new patterns: clothing patterns for the small animals, including dresses, sweaters and dungarees; more small versions of my animal patterns; a regular sized badger and there are a few other ideas that I’m also playing around with.
Spring has been arriving in our garden and the countryside around us, with blackthorn blossom, catkins and the blossoming of our plum tree.
Kit, our foxy visitor, has been coming almost every day. Back in January she seemed to be getting into lots of fights and was quite injured one morning – you can see in the pictures above her patches of missing fur and scrapes but she also had a bad limp and a broken canine tooth. She spent a day licking her wounds and curled upon top of the chicken run – the ivy-covered netting forms a comfy hammock and happily the chickens seemed oblivious and carried on life as normal! More recently I noticed that she was pregnant – she was distinctly plump around the middle and I think that she had her pups on the 2nd or 3rd of March as she didn’t visit on those days and when she arrived on March 4th she was back to her skinny self. Since March 12th she’s back to visiting every day for food and her teats are now clearly visible, so her cubs must be thriving. And yes, I am keeping a fox diary 🙂
The last month has seen unprecedented times arrive around the globe and I think we’re all at least a little afraid right now. I’m trying not to shut out that fear and instead embrace it and let it guide me to socially responsible and sensible decisions. We’re keeping Toby off school for now as he’s vulnerable and we’re practicing ‘social distancing’, going for our wood walks but avoiding other people. That’s something we all need to be doing – not just for ourselves and our loved ones but also for the wider community. If you can go out into busy spaces less then do choose to; wash your hands often and keep compassion and kindness to others as your goal – you never know when you yourself might be in need of the kindness and compassion of a stranger.
Please let’s all stay safe out there and keep others safe through our actions xxx
little cotton rabbits 
Good evening – this is a little sunshine in what seems a very strange time. Thank you and I’m definitely looking forward to your creations. Please all take care.
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Ahhhh your fox on the hen house …. great !
Thanks for the wonderful pictures !
Keep safe !
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loved
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Goodness, Kit is beautiful, and I love that the chickens didn’t notice her taking a nap up there. Good to know you are staying safe, I hope Toby isn’t missing his school routine too much, I know it’s probably not easy. Lovely to see some signs of spring isn’t it. I discovered the camellia in flower today which was nice, and there are magnolias in bloom too. Hurray for a bit of sunshine! CJ xx
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Thank you for making me smile on a very odd and unsettling day… that fox sleeping on top of the chickens!! All beautiful photos. Have been trying to reassure my 72yr old Mum, who had only just regained her life after being pretty much housebound looking after my Dad during his years with dementia. Hope that Toby isn’t unsettled by the change in his life, and that you can keep finding plenty of beautiful things to do.
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Thank you for your lovely photos and gentle thoughts. I am always trying to be mindful of others and practise kindness, but sometimes other things get in the way. I will keep trying. I love your fox friend!
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It has always been a sign of spring when your plum blossom arrives Julie, a rather strange spring this year sadly.
I can’t believe how well your chickens are taking their garden visitor. 🙂 Poor girl in the wars on top of being a new mum, so glad you’re keeping a diary of your beautiful friend.
Pretty knitting as always.
Wishing you and your family, peace and health.
V
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Is that like the fox guarding the hen house? She is beautiful. I look forward to the new patterns. As always your pictures are beautiful.
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Thank you for your cheering updates. Your pictures of the signs of spring and your fox diaries are a tonic. I too have health problems and so I have chosen to distance myself as much as possible. Reading others posts helps me feel that I’m not totally alone.
I hope that you and your family stay safe and well
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Beautiful pictures of the fox. Shame about your hens though, in prison with so little space to move around. If they can’t be free range can’t you at least give up some of your garden to give them more space than they already have in their confined area?
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Oh Imogen, please don’t worry about my hens – you cannot see the full extent of the run in this picture, it’s much larger than it looks here and they regularly free range in my garden when it is safe for the to do so (as you’ll see if you care to scroll back through my blog over the years). This run keeps them safe from being slaughtered by the foxes – please don’t assume I am cruel on uncaring towards them from this picture 🙂
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These are strange times indeed Bev. Thanks for your kind wishes, I hope you keep well and safe too x
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You too Els and thanks so much for the kind compliment x
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Hi CJ, glad there’s some beautiful blooms and blossoms to brighten your days there and you’re right, it’s definitely cheering to see the sun again. Hope you and yours are safe and well. Toby#’s coping OK at the moment and I have some new lego and press-the-button sound books on order to try to help keep him busy! Take care xxx
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These are unsettling and odd times and it’s very frightening for our older family members, I hope your Mum is doing OK and that you all stay safe and well there x
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Thank you for your kind words Juanita, I’m sure you are always kind and thoughtful to others and I hope you stay safe and well in these troubling times xx
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Thanks so much Vivienne, I can’t quite let spring pass by without sneaking in a couple of pictures of the plum blossom, I always wish it lasted a little longer as it’s so very pretty. But it does feel a bit surreal this year with things as they are/ I hope you and all those you love stay safe and well, all the very best my friend xxx
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Thanks so much Abby, now more than ever there seems a need to look for the beautiful wherever it can be found, I hope you’re finding a little where you are to lift your spirits x
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It sounds like you are being very sensible Ailsa, though distancing yourself can feel very isolating. I hope you continue to find some online companionship and reassurance from the many others in a similar situation. Stay safe and well there too xxx
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What a beautiful visitor to have in your garden. You are very lucky. She looks so cosy there!
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Thank you for this beautiful, uplifting post. Your fox photos are superb, an dI can’t wait to see those finished baby bunnies dressed in their finery. I live in Australia, but am currently along way from home in San Francisco, where I have a new grandson ( 5 weeks old today). With all the chaos and anxiety I see around me at present, and as I wait on news about my flight back home, your pictures and words have been very very welcome. Thank you for reminding us all that the little things mean so much, at any time, but especially now.
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I have never commented here but I’ve lurked and looked at your wonderful pictures. The picture of the fox on top of the hen-house is a magic picture because as I first scrolled down, I only saw half the photo and the fox looked like a GIANT on top of a full-size structure with a wooden pathway next to it. But then as I continued scrolling, the rest of the photo came into view, the pathway turned into the top of the house next to it, and the fox shrunk to an appropriate size. Also, in the very first fox photo, below the blossoming tree photos, where she has her head up? Her muzzle looks like it’s knitted. Just thought I’d point that out. I’ve come here to buy my first pattern from you, because I live in the S.F. Bay Area of California and we now are mandated to “shelter-in-place,” so it will be a good way to spend the time. Thanks for your beautiful blog.
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Thanks for your lovely words and beautiful photos! 🙂
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Oh I love your fox ❤ Currently been OS and back home safe and doing the correct social thing
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You are far ahead of us here in New England on the blossom scale. Merest bits of buds here.
Love the photos of your vixen.
Love to come to see/hear what you are up to. A pleasant respite.
God bless.
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Glad to hear that you and your family are well. I loved your fox photos as well as your beautiful nature pictures. I am a Chicago teacher/librarian – grateful to be home with my own family during these uncertain times and concerned for my students.
Your fox inspired me . . .I think that I have to make your fox my next project!
Keep safe and warm with your family,
Mary Kate
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Thank you for such a beautiful post, especially during these times. I’m glad to see Kit is okay and you’re offering her a sanctuary for naps. Sending you wishes of good health and peace for you and all your family.
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Thank you for reminding us of the “everyday”- your fox photos make me smile everytime! These are crazy times indeed…
Diane
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So cool to see the fox mum, maybe we’ll get to see her cubs? We had mating hedgehogs last night, hoping to see babies some time too.
Always love seeing your bunnies and their pretty clothes.
Stay safe and healthy.
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Thank you for sharing your fox diaries – the photos are so good to see. They are such maligned animals in our country which I find upsetting as each creature serves a purpose. I look forward to any new pattern releases you might have coming up – we all need a little something to give us a mental lift just now. Take care.
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Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos.
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Your photos of the lovely Kit are incredible. I cannot wait for your new patterns! A badger sounds wonderful. I’ve already knitted one of your small bunnies and I am planning another one. They are wonderful because they retain all the charm of the larger size toys but knit up so quickly. We are also practicing social distancing. Our son has a difficult to treat form of epilepsy and he cannot get this virus. I must admit that I have spent the last week in full on panic or aimlessly wandering around my house. There’s so much I could be doing but I find it hard to focus. Thank you for bringing a little joy and beauty into our lives for but a moment.
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Ahh, another beautiful peek of your adorable bunnies. I love the pretty colors you’re using. I’m hoping to get started on a few bunnies for Easter soon — just waiting for yarn to arrive. Yarn selection is the hardest part for me — Bonnie has been helping ;-D.
And Kit is back! How exciting!!! I wish she would share her pups with you. Looking forward to your fun new patterns. Have been thinking of you this last week — knowing this must be a change to the routines that Toby loves. Hope you’re managing ok — XOXOXO.
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I’m an Aussie too, and it’s hard for us to see the beauty in a fox, of course, but this one is just gorgeous! Her eyes especially are beautiful. I have to admit it was pretty strange when, in Alaska a few years ago, the locals got so excited to see a fox…
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What a lovely thoughtful post. Your photos are such a tonic during these unsettling days. Oh that fox, beautiful. Looking forward to some pics of the cubs one day maybe!
Keep safe.
Arohanui from Aotearoa New Zealand xx
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HI!!
Yours pictures are awesome, i love the little fox and i waiting your news patterns,
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hi, your fox photo ‘s are lovely. Do you remember a few years ago when you had a competition to see who could make 2 little cotton rabbits and put them in a setting ? I won jointly with an American lady. I chose the fox pattern as my prize. I think it was a new pattern them. Always enjoyed making rabbits. I love their feet and shoes.
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Wonderful post & I do love that gorgeous fox!
Lots of time now for me to sit around and knit to my heart’s content.
May all you and your loved ones stay well.
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Hello from San Antonio, Texas! I’ve been a long time fan of yours but never commented. Just wanted to say how much I love your designs. They bring me such joy! I currently own the original bunny pattern and just got the midsize bunny as well. I hope to one day own ALL of them! Your pictures are stunning and I hope you and your family are healthy and well. Much love.
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Last weekend my husband drove me three hours each way so that I could spend some time with my elderly mother who was failing. And this weekend he did the same as we went to her burial. (Not permitted a Funeral due to the virus situation.) I finished knitting one of your lambs on the first weekend and worked on a fox for the second. I wanted to thank you for sharing the patterns for your animals; knitting them brings us so much creative happiness even in difficult times. I hope that you and your family stay safe and well.
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How wonderful that you have such a magnificent girl living in your yard! Can’t wait to see the Little Kits. Just sent a monkey in overalls and a bear in a pinafore to a friend. She wanted them for her grandkids. She wrote to thank me: “Thank you for giving us all so much pleasure!”
So, THANK YOU for your creativity and easy to follow patterns! Can’t wait for all the new ones!
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I’m madly in love with Kit and your photos!! She is so beautiful–the fact that she is in charge of the henhouse makes me laugh! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely photos. Stay safe, stay well.
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