It still feels like Autumn is waiting in the wings here, poised but not quite ready to make the dramatic entrance that the season is so loved for. There are inklings though of what will come; whisperings in the treetops, rustlings in the hedgerows, glimmerings in the undergrowth. The leaves are losing their vibrant summer green and are becoming dry and brittle. Each breath of wind sets free a flurry of seeds that twist and dance on the breeze until feathering gently to the woodland floor. The birds are gathering too, preparing for long migratory journeys, skeins of geese honking over the house in the first light of morning and flocks of finches that come looping and twittering into the garden, 30 or more at a time, and empty the bird feeders in a matter of minutes.
I’ve been out to the woods a few times on my own, hunting for photogenic fungi. As yet I have found very little, but I have enjoyed the quiet peace under the canopy and visiting the friendly red poll cattle that graze the woodland and a sweet, scruffy pony that lives in the field at the edge of the wood. And I came home with pocketfuls of beautifully fat and glossy chestnuts, I’ll be sharing some with the friendly squirrel that visits our garden and roasting the rest later. Our other friendly visitor has been here frequently too, beautiful Kit the fox.
Here we are still settling in to term-time routines, it always takes a while for Toby to adjust and we have had a few wobbles, which have resulted in him being home a little more than expected or planned for. And the older I get the longer it seems to take me to settle in to concentrating properly. There’s been a lot of knitting of course. I made a little rabbit for my friend to auction off at a charity masked ball that she organised to raise funds for the wonderful, inclusive playscheme that our sons both attended when they were younger. There has also been some simple weekend and evening sock knitting, as a welcome contrast to working on the patterns, which is at times fiddly, frustrating and takes a well-rested morning brain to tackle properly. I’m planning more simple wristwarmers and socks with the lovely autumnal coloured yarns bought from The Knitting Shed (I might be just a wee bit obsessed with their yarn at the moment).
My ‘work-day’ knitting is still all about my cow pattern, and I will show you more of how I’m getting on with that soon, but above are a couple of Highland cattle that will be making an appearance.
I’ve also spent a few months updating some of my existing patterns and have hopefully now sent out notifications of these changes to all Ravelry buyers. Below is a list of which patterns have been updated and in what way. If you use Etsy and you’d like a new revised copy of any of these patterns you’ll need to message me via your Etsy account, as Etsy does not provide me with a way of sending you an automatic update in the way that Ravelry do. It’s a very good reason to buy via Ravelry if you are able to, as I am planning a few future updates and extras to some of my other patterns. I’ve also added revision notes to the bottom of every pattern page on Ravelry so that you can quickly check when each pattern was last updated and what the errata/revisions were.
- Small 7 inch mouse pattern: Correction to Page 15, row 12, there was an extra P1 at the start of the 3rd line, which has now been removed
- Both 9 inch Horse patterns: Page 21, rows 9, 11 & 13, Ktog should read K2tog
- 9 inch ‘boy’ patterns for fox, elephant, mouse, monkey, bear, cat, and sheep: All now have a revised version of the shorts that includes a ribbed waistband.
Well, that’s all from me for now, but see you soon, J x
little cotton rabbits 
I love your Fotos, they are so beautiful. ( I also love your patterns), thanks for sharing ❣️
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Beautiful photos Julie. Love the mask is there a pattern please
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Gorgeous photos Julie … so lovely to see little Kit, she’s looking amazing!
The little masked bunny is beyond cute … and your cows are as always wonderful. 🙂
Happy autumn lovely,
V x
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Hi Julie – Thanks for the update and sharing your lovely photos. You have such a beautiful way with words. I almost feel like I’m there sharing the lovely walk with you. Your knitted cows are adorable. I especially love their manes. That yarn looks like it’s a joy to work with. Thanks for the sneak peek!
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Your photos are superb – especially the spider’s web photo and the fungus ‘bursting’ through the bark (like bubblegum!)
Your Coos are wonderful and Miss Masked Rabbit is a delight x
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How good to hear from you again. I feel like being with you during your walks – great pictures, mindful words.
Cows look really cute, bunnies adorable!
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So enjoyed the GREEN in you photos. Surely do miss it, here in the desert. May your Autumn be filled with joy!
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You beauty photos are always expected but I really love reading your narrative of your rambles. Your have such a soothing way of describing where you’ve been that I almost can feel that I’m with you there. And that bunny! Amazing. I’m sure it will fetch a lovely price. The cows are amazing!
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Aren’t chestnuts the most luxurious colour? I am currently so attracted to yarn of such richness!
My favourite phenomenon… murmurations! They are swirling here too 🇨🇦. I stop and just admire the coordinated dance in the sky… love it!
The cow teaser is adorable! Can’t wait but of course WILL wait!
Here’s hoping life will become gentler for both you & Toby.
Here’s to the quiet letting go of Autumn 🍂.
Love across the Silvery Sea,
Lori from Vallentyne.
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You have such a talent for photography, putting words to paper, and designing/writing tiny knitting patterns!
Thanks for taking your time to make us all smile.
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I am always delighted to see your posts pop up on Feedly where I follow you. Great photos! I made several little bunnies for my granddaughters.
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The pictures are so lovely and peaceful looking. I hope you are able to feel that peace.
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Just love your beautiful pictures Julie and the wonderful patterns. Thank you for all the updates. 🥰
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You’ve beautifully captured the details of the season, and those cattle are gorgeous. And the pony, I always love to see a pony. Such a fantastic photo of Kit, wonderful that she is still visiting. There are lots of foxes around here, but none in the garden as yet. I was wondering if it was time to start feeding the birds, so you have answered my question. I shall go and buy some sunflower hearts straightaway. The last time I visited your blog I went straight off and bought some yarn, you always remind me how nice it is to knit. I hope Toby is more settled into his term very soon. CJ xx
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Such beautiful photos as usual- my husband asks do you use a really good camera? I
Love the beauty you see everywhere on your walks you have such a good eye.
I have an autistic grandson so can appreciate how hard life can be – am glad you get chance to relax with a little bit of peace to yourself occasionally
– can’t wait for the highland cows they look wonderful
Thank you
Jacqueline
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Was ist das Teil das auf Foto 9 a der Birkenrinde wächst.
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Highland cattle look wonderful. You have captured their shaggy manes perfectly. The masked bunny is lovely too and so kind that you gifted it to your friend to auction for her charity.
Beautiful photos of your walks and the one of Kit is stunning.
Have a good week x
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Beautiful photos and love the new cows!! So cute. Have you created a hoodie pattern with kangaroo pockets for the bunnies for any other animals? I’d love to see one!! Keep up the great work!!
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Toby is blessed to have you as his mother. You are the perfect parent for him in return. We are fortunate to have you as a blogger/creator. Thank you.
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Autumn always looks so beautiful in your part of the world Julie! I thought of you one day this summer — my granddaughter and I were sitting in our little sunroom and looked up to see a little red fox on our patio. Unfortunately, I gasped a little too loud (as it’s the first time we’ve had one on the patio) and it went scampering off. I immediately thought of you and your Kit — so fun to see a beautiful picture — you must be johnny on the spot to get pictures so quickly — our little fox disappeared so fast. Can’t wait for the cow pattern — it’s so cute!
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