Hello Hello, hope you are well. I didn’t mean to be away for so long, but as you can see I have been keeping busy! I have wanted to do a horse pattern for such a long time, but every time that I have made a prototype there was something that I felt didn’t work, and so back to the drawing board I went. Then at the end of last year I had an equine epiphany and things clicked into place for me, resulting in a flurry of knitting activity and the beginnings of a new pattern. I have been working on it solidly now for 5 months and at last I’m almost finished with the final pattern.
So far I’ve knitted 33 different heads, including different facial markings for the horses, along with unicorns and donkeys too. I have to tell you that those manes do take a bit of patience, adding a strand at a time, but overall I’ve had a lot of fun putting this pattern together and am pleased with how it’s all looking in the layout. Just a few final pictures to take for the front covers and then I’ll be ready to share it.
It’s so exciting to almost have it ready. I have adored horses since I was quite little, always clamouring to stop and stroke their velvety noses when out on walks and delighting in donkey rides on beaches and at farms. From about the age of 8 until my mid teens I read about horses, drew horses and dreamt about horses almost constantly. I even tried to convince mum and dad that our very small suburban back garden would be perfectly fine for keeping a horse in, with pledges that I would ride it every day and tidy up after it. Needless to say my pleas did not result in a pet horse at home but they did get me riding lessons. I then started ‘working’ at the stable, I say ‘working’ because none of us were actually paid but we turned up on Saturdays or Sundays at 8.30 am ready for a day of mucking out, cleaning tack, lead-reining small children learning to ride and grooming our adored charges. My appointed horse was Sweep, a big gentle grey who was a little bit dim and kept my toenails constantly bruised by frequently standing on my feet when I was grooming him. I was also so lucky to have two week long pony trekking trips away in Wales, we rode every day in amazing countryside and I loved every minute, even the day three saddle sores!
It’s been fun looking out my old books, though I’m missing a few – the silver brumby series, by Elyne Mitchell – those were my absolute favourites. And digging out these photos has made me all nostalgic, though I don’t think I’m ready to dust off my jodhpurs any time soon!
Anyway, I’ll be back with news as soon as the patterns are in finished form, though next time I’m here will be all about the bluebells which are glorifying the woods right now, see you soon, J x
little cotton rabbits 
I can’t wait to knit them
Oh Wow! You’ve nailed that pattern, for sure. And I spy some unicorns too! Truly Magical Pattern!
The little sweaters are adorable too – super clothes. Love the colourwork. Thanks Julie. You must be feeling very happy with the result of your hard work.
Oh wow bless you, can’t wait to get these on my needles.
Thank you so much, all your hard work is appreciated
By so many people. 👏👏❤️
Wow!! Your work is so amazing, so gorgeous!! I love everything that you do. Congratulations for all your stuning work. With love from Lisbon/Portugal xxxx
How wonderful, can’t wait to try and knit horse and donkey..so exciting
I’m so excited for the release of these adorable horses. I have a granddaughter that is absolutely horse crazy and a sister-in-law that raises horses that would appreciate one as well.
I am so looking forward to adding a pony or two to my collection of Little Cotton Rabbits, and badgers and foxes and moles!!
I find the Horses so adorable. I can hardly wait to get started. The donkey would be cute too.
Looking forward to making them.
OMG so beautiful. My granddaughter loves horses. Can’t wait to knit her one or two 🤣. Thanks for all your wonderful patterns 🥰🥰
Wow they are all beautiful. I was admiring the photos and could see horses, donkeys and unicorns. You are very talented and you must be proud of the latest pattern.
I had no idea you had so much experiences with horses. It’s no wonder then that you’ve made such a lovely pattern. I always enjoy seeing your makes and your nature photos. It gives such a lift to my spirits when a new post from you pops up on my feed.
I know you know I love them, Julie! Especially the donkey 🙂 Just wanted to share that my very favourite horses growing up, we’re the Thelwell ponies. Oh how I wish I still had those books!
I have been searching for an adorable donkey pattern and I will wait patiently for your pattern. Just seeing the heads, I’m am totally enamored. My sister was the same way growing up, with a love of horses. She wanted to be a jockey until her growth spurt took that dream away.
This is just wonderful! I’m seeing the passion for horses in my granddaughter (never had it myself) who asked for her own pony for her 10th birthday…haha, never going to happen! But she will now get a knitted one at least – modelled on the one she’s been lucky enough to ride. Thank you Julie for another inspiring pattern and for all your hard work. xxx
Being a fan of horses I am so excited to see this. So cute! I can’t wait to buy and knit it.
Awe Julie, they are adorable!!
Loved hearing about your pony tales (tails) 🙂
I didn’t have riding lessons myself but my daughter did and I loved going with her with my packet of Polos in my pocket .. and yes those soft noses are gorgeous.
V x
Fellow horse lover here! My absolute favorite job was working as barn crew for a dude ranch. I was paid $2.00 an hour, but I got to ride Copper for ten hours a day, six days a week. Loved it.
And this pattern is gorgeous! It’s so hard to capture the horse in knitting, I’ve found, but you’ve done it admirably while keeping true to your signature “look.”
And can I just admire how you can knit THIRTY-THREE HEADS IN A ROW! That takes some kind of fortitude. I’ve always astounded how you can do that – knit the same thing, or slight variations of the same thing, so many times without dying of ennui.
oh these are so adorable, particularly love the glamourous manes. Can’t wait for the pattern and to start knitting my own herd – not likely to be 30 of them though!
The horses are absolutely adorable
Dear Julie, you weave (knit) such an engaging story–you have a wonderful way with words and yarn! THe yearning for a horse as a young girl is really fascinating; I had it, too. It is wonderful how you have translated your love of horses to a very charming version in wool. And the donkeys!! I look forward to your pattern release. Thank you for bringing so much joy to so many of us and those for whom we knit.
These are so gorgeous and destined to be one of your best sellers. I can’t wait to knit a few❤️❤️❤️
Cant wait to see ALL of the horses and Donkeys!! How fabulous Julie ❤
Love these
Love the new horse family variations.
I find pony books very soothing in times of stress.
So cute! Can’t wait for the pattern to be available.