Back in 2008 I knitted started playing around with some ideas for a knitted badger. I knew what sort of shaping I wanted in the head and that it would be a slightly fiddly knit because of all of the colour changes needed to get the distinctive badgery stripes. At the time I was relatively pleased with the outcome but knew there were things about it that I wasn’t happy with, so it needed more work.
Since then I’ve gone back to the pattern notes several times and then become distracted by ideas for other animals and so the poor badger has languished at the very bottom of the work basket for all these years. I’m happy to say that I now feel they’re at last ready and so today I’m releasing the patterns, as usual one with removable sweater and shorts and bare body and feet; and the other with knitted on knickers/panties and shoes and a removable dress. They both have a change of outfit, so the first has 2 sweaters and the second has 2 dresses (both with one in stranded colorwork and one textured in a single colour). They’re both live now on Ravelry and will be shortly on Etsy too.
The timing for a pattern release is daft I know, everyone is far to busy over the next week to be sitting knitting badgers and I’m sorry it’s taken me longer than the autumn release that I had planned. Maybe there will be the chance for a little badger knitting in the lull of the new year and if you do give either of the patterns a go, I hope that you have fun with them – as usual I am excited at the prospect of seeing the first projects emerge over on the Little Cotton Rabbits facebook group and on Ravelry 🙂
I hope the next week is a good one for you, despite the rapidly wosening situations we all seem to be finding ourselves in again. I’ll pop back with a proper seasonal greeting next week, ’til then stay safe and well xx
little cotton rabbits 
They are wonderful as always Julie!!!! You really are so clever.
Have a relaxing week ahead lovely. 🙂
V x
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Hello,
Oh, I just HAD to order this lovely badger … Currently reading The Willows at Christmas 🙂 I was so happy to find out that I could pay with Ideal, hurray, and therefore could order this!!! Thank you and have a Happy and Merry and Healthy Christmas!!!
P.S. My friend Jenny made me your cute rabbit girl years ago. I love her to pieces, she is called Liefje (‘sweet little one’ in Dutch) and has even been to France with me, at the back of my backpack, enjoying the Pyrenees 🙂 Bye!
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Absolutely brilliant, you have completely nailed it. And I can imagine how tricky it was to get the head right. So clever how the snout works, I have no doubt he will be very popular. CJ xx
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The badger is absolutely adorable!!!
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So cute!!! Thank you very much! I’m knitting a bear for a little Ismael who is just born, but I know what I’ll make just after 😊
Merry Christmas!
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Any day you wish to release a pattern is a good day! Thank you for yet another delightful pattern.
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Julie, I’m new to your adorable little critters, having discovered them just a few weeks ago. I’m absolutely smitten! I’ve made the elephant, pig, bear, rabbit, and am working on a doe/deer couple. I love your patters, not only because they’re so darn cute, but also because you take the time to write out amazingly clear directions and hints. Now I have to make the badger for my son and daughter-in-law who graduated from the University of Wisconsin; the badger is their mascot! Thank you so much! Um…my local yarn shop is happy, too…
Merry Christmas! I hope you have a nice, relaxing holiday.
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These badgers are so sweet. I am definitely putting these on my to do list. Thank you for all your hard work.
Enjoy the holiday season as much as you can.
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They really do look lovely! I’d have to practice a lot to knit any kind of a critter so well done!
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These are terrific Julie, my favourites so far, bunnies excepted. Your timing is brilliant – we all needed a surprise. Congratulations on a fantastic couple of patterns. I can’t wait to cast on and make backpacks ad scarves for them too. Wishing you and your family a cosy and safe Christmas.
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I have enjoyed your website for many years, and knitted four bunnies from your pattern. It was because of the badgers however that I found your site. I had searched the internet for “knitted badger” because my daughters were, at the time, big fans of the Francis books by Russell and Lillian Hoban. Your new badgers are delightful. I think I will have to knit a badger. Thank you for your lovely work and words.
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Oh those are so adorable – spot on as usual. What a lot of hard work on your part Julie – thank you for all your lovely uplifting blogs this year, all much appreciated! Trust that 2021 will be a less worrying time for the whole world and hope that you and your family have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas – you so deserve it! My sweet Little Cotton Rabbit, Daisy is still giving me joy every time I look at her! Happy Christmas!
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Beautiful pattern as always Julie x
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Hello Julie,
Can you tell me the yarn & colours you used for the reindeer clothing? I am placing an order for wool & want to get the same as you used.
Thank you,
Shelly
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