crafts & knitting

Autumnal influences

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

Last week was the college half term break here, so there was lots of time spent with Toby walking in the woods. Autumn is definitely here now, with its cold breezes, crunchy leaves underfoot and toadstools everywhere. It was fascinating to see the same patch of toadstools visibly growing each day as we passed by them on our same route through the wood and I’m looking forward to getting out there on my own with my camera later in the week (Toby gets most miffed if I stop to take pictures on our walks together).

Back at home my knitting has been influenced by autumn too and I’m spending most of this week finishing off this little black bear and grey bunny ready for a giveaway. They’ll both be wearing autumnal clothes and I’ve had fun playing around with a duplicate stitched design for some toadstools on the skirt of one of the dresses. I’ve made a free chart for the toadstools that you can download here, Download Toadstool chart

I’ve also made a little blouse with a collar to go under a pair of dungarees. I made this by combining the bottom of the camisole that you can find in my free ‘Sundress supplement’ pattern with the bodice from my ‘Textured dresses’ pattern. Simply cast on and work up to row 19 from the camisole in the Sundress pattern for the 9 inch animals, and then work from row 1 of the bodice pattern on page 3 in the Textured dresses pattern.

I’ll be back soon with pictures of these two finished animals and details of how you can enter to win one of them – it will be a random number generated draw.

Hope the rest of your week goes well. We’re having a good one here and celebrating Amy’s new job as a special needs teaching assistant – we’re really proud of her as she embarks on life after full time education and embraces all of the responsibilities of working life.

See you soon xx

 

 

66 thoughts on “Autumnal influences”

  1. Glad that Toby has settled in at college and enjoyed his half term walks. Congratulations to Amy on her new job. Her insights as a sister will give her an advantage over other young people and allow her to be a support to all she meets. Your new knits are charming as ever. Best wishes to all rhe family

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  2. Hi Julie – Your new Fall designs are lovely. Looking forward to seeing the animals dressed in them and trying my hand at knitting a “toadstool” dress. Also, your photos are beautiful as always. Thanks for sharing.
    Congratulations to AMY on her new job. How wonderful that she’s working with special needs individuals. I’m sure her experiences with Toby have helped to prepare her well for this endeavor. I spent my entire 42-year teaching career working with special needs individuals and it was so rewarding.
    Looking forward to the giveaway!
    Beverly

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  3. What beautiful autumnal clothes; you are very talented!
    I have recently been reading back through some of your previous blog posts and I am so pleased to hear that Toby has settled well and that Amy has a new job. It’s all very exciting.
    Best wishes
    Jane

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  4. Congratulations to Amy on her new and what I’m quite sure will be a very rewarding job!!
    So glad you and Toby had a good half term break.
    I love your little toadstool dress Julie, it is very sweet. 🙂

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  5. Congratulations to Amy on her job, that’s brilliant news, I hope she really enjoys it. Love the autumn knitting, the details in your creations are always amazing, I just love those toadstools on the skirt, and the shamrocks as well, perfection. Glad Toby has been enjoying some walks, I know he loves the woods. CJ xx

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  6. The autumn designs are super, and inspire me to pick up my needles again and knit an animal for my youngest granddaughter. I haven t made her none so far.

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  7. How wonderful that Amy is working with Social needs friends. She will be amazing. Love all of the special projects you’ve been doing.

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  9. Good morning. I just wanted to take a moment and let you know how fantastic your knitted animals are. I often come to your site just to take a look at them because they make me happy. The little faces are so precious! They are absolutely great and I am glad you share them with the world. As a knitter, I could never make such perfect little creatures. Thank you from Boston!

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  11. I absolutely love your beautiful knitted animals . It has become a tradition in our family that I know each grandchild an animal , which then is featured in every birth milestone photo ! I have just finished a rabbit for our November arrival, but big sister requested a meerkat ! I combined your fox , dog and mouse patterns and came up with a meerkat !

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  12. What lucky little animals to have such delightful outfits – a lesson in style and design for us all! Well done to Amy and very best wishes for her future career – you must be very proud parents. Glad you had a good half- term with Toby and hope you get chance for further visits to the woods soon. Love the wooden toadstools and the layout of your photos is beautiful.

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  14. I love autumn and your autumn designs are wonderful. I just finished making a little boy bear from your pattern for my colleague’s baby.

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  15. Absolutely beautiful – you are very talented. I have really enjoyed knitting your animals and clothes, seeing this set makes me itch to. make more

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  16. Julie, I love how your little animals are always beautifully made with such detail. I’m always inspired by your designs and colour combinations. The animals are so sweet and full of character. What a pleasure it is to admire your work, it’s just wonderful!

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  18. I absolutely love your patterns and have gifted many of the animals I have made to my great nieces and nephew. Thank you for all your hard work in designing these patterns as I and many others appreciate it!

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  19. 2021 has brought significant challenges and some difficult losses, but knitting has been very relaxing and restorative. My little grandchildren love LCR animals, and I love making them. I have given them to other friends as well who needed a little pick-me-up. Congratulations to your family as you start some new and exciting things. Best wishes to everyone with all their projects. I love seeing them all. I have made notebooks of the patterns to pass along to my granddaughter when she is old enough to start knitting. ❤️

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  20. It is spring here and my apple blossom trees are looking just wonderful. I’ve already harvested some lettuce leaves from my new plants and the beans are just starting to flower. It is a beautiful day outside so may go for a walk later. Love your little animals 🙂
    viv in nz

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  22. Vos créations sont magnifiques. On a envie d’adopter un de ces animaux. Je parcours votre blog pour le plaisir des yeux et suis toujours ravie lorsque vous mettez un post. Je serais tellement heureuse d’en gagner un. Bravo et merci pour ce concours.

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  26. Thank you Julie for all the beautiful creatures you create. They bring a smile to my face whenever I see them and my grandchildren love them

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  27. Oh Julie, I’ve loved your knitted creatures for so long! I don’t possess knitting skills sadly but would love to be in with a chance of winning one of yours (especially the rabbit with the cute mushroom dress – adorable). I’d keep her safe for a happy day when I might have the gift of a grandchild, fingers crossed x

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  28. Hi Julie,
    I started knitting because I wanted to learn how to make your Little Cotton Rabbits. They were my #1 goal in knitting. I had the most basic knitting skills (I could only make garter scarves) but I challenged myself to learn all the new techniques needed to make a little rabbit from you patterns. It took me a few months of sheer determination! I was so proud of myself when I first made my little bunny named “Basil”. He is my treasured friend and I will never part with him. Since then I’ve made more friends for Basil – a little fox, his bunny girlfriend, and a little spaniel dog, all from your patterns. I am so thankful for you as a pattern designer and maker. You’ve made the most precious and beautiful knitted animal patterns, and they are so affordable too! They bring such joy to people’s lives! They’re more than toys for me. I truly love them and hug them like they’re my little children. Thank you for this giveaway and for your generosity.
    Sincerely,
    -Abigail O. from Ontario, Canada

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  29. Enter!…your knitting is spectacular…I am trying and improving so hope to make it to your standard one day. Thanks for the chance to win one of your creations.

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  31. I’ve kinda promised to deliver ‘friends’ for my granddaughters animals (fox and polar bear) for Christmas…
    A Julie giveaway would be wonderful, but then I’d have a very high standard to match!

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  33. Hi Julie.
    You are a true artist! I am a fan of your work. I’ve purchased the small and large rabbit patterns as well as the textured dress patterns. As a new knitter,
    seeing your work helped me set a personal goal to one day make a rabbit. I’m happy to say I’ve made them for family and friends.
    Thank you for sharing your talent!
    Maureen S.

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  34. Dear Julie! I want to thank you for your beautiful rabbitts. I’ve been so hapoy knitting them for my beloved people! The happiness they give to everyone is my reward to that hours of work! I sent you a hug and all my admiration for your marvellous knitting work! Lots of love from Concepción, Chile. Mónica

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  35. I have admired your incredible talent for several years. I have 2 granddaughters that have an animal or 2 that I’ve made from your lovely patterns. I would live to be entered into the drawing. Thank you!

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  36. Your knitted animals are just beautiful. My daughter (now 3) was lucky to have two of the bunnies made for her. Congratulations to Amy!

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  37. Hi Julie. I have knitted several of your patterns but have not been able to stuff them yet. I would love to win one so that I can hold it and gain confidence in finally finishing mine. Thankyou Joy. Perth, Australia

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  39. Dear Julie
    I saw your adorable bunny in her woodland dress and it immediately transported me to the woodlands, they have always been magical places to me, with visions of fairies flitting through the trees and elves looking after the forest.
    I have just finished one of your small bunnies, she is silver grey with purple knickers and dress, she is sooo, cute, thanks for creating such inspiring toys for the child in all of us !
    Much Love
    Jean Hamilton

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  40. Dear Julie, your blog and your beautiful toys give me great pleasure. I only recently discovered your blog, and I am in awe of your talent and creativity. Your animals make me joyful every time I see them, and now I have to summon up the courage to try to knit one for myself. (I am only a basic knitter but I am inspired to try to give one of your toys a go!) Best wishes to you and your family for a blessed festive season…

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  41. Enter! Julie, you are an amazing person and most talented knitter. You are an inspiration!
    I have been following your patterns for a few years and have enjoyed making little critters. Your instructions are very easy to follow and the tutorials are very helpful. Thank you!

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  42. Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful work and life with us. I relish every new blog post and look forward to all your beautiful patterns. Xxxx

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  44. My sister who is my knitting mentor sent me this site. I love bunnies and in fact I chose “Bunny” as the name my grandchildren call me.
    Entered
    Bunny

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  46. I’ve never heard of Little Cotton Rabbits before reading about them in a literacy blog post. I love seeing felt dolls and I only know 1 type of knitting stitch but I am determined to make one!!!! I hope I win!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

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  47. Our little granddaughter, Lynley, is so nurturing and just loves any kind of animal. She loves stuffed animals more than her dolls. She would absolutely love your little rabbit and/or bear. Because she is such a little mother, she would love taking care of the rabbit or bear and dressing them up in the adorable little outfits. Years ago, I used to do Speech Therapy with autistic children and they have always been special to me.
    Blessings to you and your family,
    Amy in Findlay, OH

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  48. I may be entering twice as I don’t see my first post. I will risk having to choose, simply because they’re adorable! Blessings to you & your family! Thank you for sharing your talents as they bring such joy.

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  49. I’m really enjoying navigating your website. The little knitted stuffed animals are inspiring me to start knitting again. Nieces are starting to have families as well as my own children. It’s time to make a memory! I love both the bunny and bear. Simply fun and adorable.

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  50. Something that gives me great pleasure is reading your blog. I have yet to knit any animals but they are definitely a future make. Recently I have been making small gifts for my grown up daughters advent calendars and this has given me so much pleasure. It’s definately in the giving.

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  51. This collection is just amazing. Thank you for sharing the toadstool chart and the little blouse instructions. I can’t wait to try them both. I’m glad you were able to enjoy some knitting time with such beautiful results❤️

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  52. I adore your sweet designs and hope one day to actually get to knit one. Something that has brought me great pleasure lately is dreaming of adding sheep to our little farm in hopes to spin and dye the wool.

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  54. Both Bear and Bun are wonderful and the little suitcases full are so appealing. The one thing that puts me off trying to knit one myself is that your models are so precise and tidy. I am a compulsively tidy knitter but your attention to detail awes me!

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  55. All your paterns are so lovely. Unfortunately I don’t have the time to knit them all. Love the pictures too!
    When I would be so Lucky to win a bunny, I would give dit to my sisters dochter. She is expecting her first child.
    Thanks for all your lovely artwork, and that you share it with is!

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  56. Brilliant news about Amy’s job, I am sure she will be fantastic at that. I love your latest makes. Much as I love being here in Spain I am missing the autumn colours, there are very few changes here.

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  66. I just found your blog yesterday and fell in love. I went to look at your blog today and it was no where in my history! Panic ensued! I Googled knitted rabbits England and there you were! I was so excited to have found you again. I totally forgot I had subscribed!

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