With the arrival of colder weather I’ve been cosying up with my knitting.
Last Sunday morning, as Toby enjoyed his long lie-in, I picked up a pair of mittens that I started last winter and resumed where I left off. I may even get them finished in time for January’s frosty days. They are the ‘Persephone’ mittens from Emily Foden’s ‘Knits About Winter’ and I’m knitting them in soft and lovely Ysolda’s Blend no. 1 that has sadly now been discontinued.
I’m also still playing around with ideas for patterns and exploring different textures and yarns, there are just so many possibilities. I’ve just uploaded the free pattern for a little selection of toy scarves that you can download if you’d like to.
And there’s good news on the badger patterns I’ve been promising, they’re all written up and have gone out for testing, I’ll keep you posted with news once they’ve been properly error checked.
Once the badgers are done I’m going to award myself a short break from pattern writing. I find it quite an intense process – writing notes, knitting them through, tweaking bits, knitting through again, knitting them through yet again to test out different yarns (you can tell how many times I’ve done this from all those heads there). It takes me a lot of time and concentration and I know that a lot of the enjoyment is quashed for me by getting far too anxious in striving for perfection. I’ve spent most of this year knitting for pattern writing purposes and have produced more patterns this year than any previous years and to be honest I am currently missing the simple joy of knitting just for the pure pleasure of it.
So for the rest of December and January I’m just going to go with my whims and knit a little of what I fancy. I have such a glorious collection of yarn calling me so I think I’ll dip into it and see where it takes me. There will definitely be more Little Cotton Rabbit patterns to come, but first I need to shake off this pattern writers fatigue that has crept up on me:)
I’ll be back soon with a badgery update, til then keep well xxx
little cotton rabbits 
Thank you so much, love following your blog. Enjoy your winter break x
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Loved reading your words again, looking forward to seeing the badger. Happy, happy Christmas, Julie, to you and the family and may the new year be a better one for everyone. ❤️xxxxx
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I just love that basket of badger heads. The mittens are beautiful too, you do find the loveliest yarn. I am very taken with the coaster and wondering if that is the sort of thing I could crochet. Is there a pattern? I shall have a hunt around Ravelry. A rest from intense work is a good thing. I can’t begin to imagine how hard it is creating a pattern for your animals from scratch. I hope you have a lovely break from it all and that you enjoy making exactly what you feel like. CJ xx
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I absolutely gasped at those adorable badger heads! Can’t wait to make one!
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Thanks a lot Julie for the scarfpatron. I love the heads of the badgers. I’m looking forward to the patron. Enjoy your break and Christmas. I wish you and your family all the best for 2021 (a better one than 2020) Love Myriam
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Thanks a lot for the scarfs and your generosity! Thera are beautiful and I’m hurry to make them.
The basket of badger heads is too nice and funny and it will be a nice project for the beginning of 2021!
Enjoy your break and Christmas and take care !
A kiss from Corsica (I hope it’s not overfamiliar…)
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So excited for the badger pattern! 🙂 I have a clay badger that’s looking for a fluffy knitted friend.
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The badgers are wonderful. I love the lace bottom edge on the photo with the scarves, too.
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Dear Julie,
What a wonderful way to enjoy the winter months with fun knitting. Thank you for all your hard work on the patterns that bring me and others such joy in creating! The badger looks adorable, but I think I have “mitten envy” on the beautiful mittens you are creating from Knits About Winter. (What, another knitting book calling me?)
Blessings on your Christmas and your winter rest.
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Such a delightful little bowl of badgers!!!
Your mitts look very cosy. 🙂
Enjoy your knitting time Julie!
V x
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That basket of heads makes me happy and the mittens are so feminine and pretty. You deserve. Much needed break to walk and meditate and just knit for fun. Your talents are such a gift to all of us.
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What a beautiful basket of loveliness! You are such a perfectionist Julie and deserve a break to do some of your own knitting and other more relaxing pursuits! We really appreciate you and the time and effort that you put into everything,for us to enjoy!
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I love your magical world! Take your time because often the best things come out when we are fine, happy and do what we like. And down with the stress !!!! Ciao from Italy 🙂
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Thank you for your free pattern, hope we get badger one for xmas i have something to do,have a lovely xmas and a good rest.
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That’s a lot of heads Julie! Enjoy your walk with Esther today, I’m sad I can’t be with you.xx
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I love the basket of badger heads. Thanks for all your hard work on the pattern writing. You deserve a rest and time to do what ever takes your fancy. Stay safe and hopefully 2021 will be less stressful for all of us.
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I love it when you post a basket of heads. It is like they are all sitting there talking to each other wondering when they will be finished and what they will look like. Once again such a cute pattern to add to my collection.
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