crafts & knitting · in the woods

Preparations

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

 

It always seems that early December is a time of mild panic, spent trying to remember things you’ve forgotten, making lists and losing them and trying to juggle far too many different tasks. Leastways, that’s what it’s like in our household. As usual I am woefully behind in ticking off things on my ‘to-do for Christmas’ list but I have made a little progress this week with finishing off some animals for family and friends. And as an antidote to my chaotic Christmas preparations I’ve been taking myself off to the woods regularly – just to have some time alone in this peaceful place is a precious thing and I always come home with more ordered thoughts in my head.

The first winter storms have already blown through, taking most of the remaining leaves from the trees and leaving rainbows in their wakes. Dramatic sunrises signal the arrival of the next bout of wet and windy weather, that old adage ‘red sky at morning, shepherds take warning’ really does work. With most of the trees bare the forest has a kind of stark, twiggy beauty and I love the way the low winter sunlight slants through the trunks, illuminating ferns with a golden glow and casting long shadows across the forest floor.

Next week I’m planning to work on an updated layout for my little free Christmas tree bears pattern. I’ll pop back with news of that once a new version is ready to download – they only take a couple of hours to make so hopefully there will still be time to make one or two if you wish.

J x

21 thoughts on “Preparations”

  2. Beautiful photos Julie! Your 3 animal comrades in the pic above look like they are getting ready for some festive holiday fun! 🙂

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  6. Beautiful photos. At 82 I find my arthritic hands are much slower but I still manage to make a few of your lovely creations each year. Thank you and may you and yours have a lovely Christmas.

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  7. Beautiful imagery, of course, and then the deer and stockings are just so cute! I hope those show up eventually. I think I wrote you at one point that would love to see Christmas stocking patterns from you some day. I love your designs.
    Happy holidays to you and your family!

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  8. Your photos are always so beautiful Julie. I’m glad you are taking the time out for yourself. Walking always rejuvenates me as well. My best wishes to you and your family!

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  9. I love your posts! I love the photos and the narrative any ANY knitting you share! These darling animals convinced me to ask Santa to make me part of your friends or family! Beautifully done! And a life beautifully lived!

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  10. I agree with Helen, that first photo is wonderful. Lovely to see the trees as well – I was just saying to the urchins the other day that bare trees with a bird or two on the branches against a winter sky is one of my all-time favourite things. Utterly beautiful. And I can really relate to the feeling that I have forgotten something. CJ xx

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  20. Oh, that first photo is darling! I’ve just finished knitting the annual little stocking ornament (from your free pattern — Thank You! — this year’s version is the one on the left in your photo) and now I have a twinge of “Darn it! I should have made some of those adorable reindeer to go with them!” Happy Happy Christmas Prep Dear Julie!!! XO

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  21. You make me wish I’d learned how to knit those lovelies. I put away my newbie knitting needles when I failed at knitting sock heels. You’re a talent among the talented.
    Be well.
    Happy New Year!

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