small boots (for 7 inch animals):
Large boots (for 9 inch animals):
At the beginning of 2023 I had such big plans: I was going to write lots of patterns; make lots of finished animals, some to sell and some to give away; reply to all of my emails; reply to all instagram, facebook and blog comments; comment on everyone’s projects on Ravelry and the facebook group and write some new tutorials.
As always I was overly ambitious and didn’t factor in that the time I have available to work in and the time it takes to do all of these things simply doesn’t match up. I still have the pictures for the tutorials sat here waiting for the words, I was erratic at best at commenting on other people’s projects and replying to comments and I still have unanswered email in my various inboxes. There was only one give-away and a handful of (OK, three) finished animals (including the one above which I can now show as she has arrived in her new home with one of the kindest people I know). If someone was writing my report card, they would say ‘must try harder’.
Still, I did do pretty well on the pattern writing front, with new patterns for small mice, small bears, small sweaters, horses and cows.
And last week I upgraded both the 7 inch and 9 inch removable shoes patterns to include 6 styles of boot: There are 2 main boot options: a hiking boot and a fur topped boot, and by changing some of the details on these (as detailed in the pattern) you can also make a pair of wellies, Yeti style apres ski boots, saftey work boots and iconic DMs. So in total there are 6 boot options in both the 9 inch and 7 inch sizes, see pictures above.
Rather than releasing the boots as a new pattern I’ve decided that I wanted to gift them to everyone who has previously bought a copy of the removable shoes patterns:
- If you bought either of the removable shoes patterns on Ravelry or my blog then you should already have had a message in your Ravelry inbox (or in your email) with a link to the upgraded version of that pattern.
- If you purchased via Etsy please log into your Etsy account and send me a message there, then I can access your details and manually email you a new download link.
- If you’ve not bought either pattern yet then buying it now will give you the new boots pattern included at no extra cost, though I will be putting up the prices to reflect the extra that’s included on these 2 patterns in January 2024. 9 inch shoes and boots are here, 7 inch shoes and boots are here.
Well, I’m going to sign off now until the new year. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be spending time with my family, just pottering around without much purpose and enjoying a slower pace to my days. Thank you so much for visiting me here, for all of your kind comments and messages over this year and for supporting my work and enabling me to provide for my family through my pattern writing,
my very warmest best wishes for the season to you and yours, J x
little cotton rabbits 
Those little boots are the sweetest!!
Wishing you Julie and your family a very happy and peaceful Christmas and best wishes for 2024.
V x
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Cute fox! I love her outfit.
🎄 Merry Christmas 🎄
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First I must address that Fox…she is gorgeous!
Second, you are an amazing woman and friend. I don’t know how you accomplish so much. You wear so many hats and have many obligations, so you need to give yourself some grace. I can’t imagine accomplishing what you have done. Thank you my friend for bringing so much joy and happiness to the world by sharing your creations and through your kindness to others. You make the world a better place!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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You have also cared for Toby. You have also watched out for Kit. You have also put up some amazing photographs which gave me a great deal of pleasure. You have also given my housebound friend enormous pleasure as she has continued to knit your patterns…and they in turn have given the children at the hospital a great deal of comfort. I say you have done far more than most people this year. Well done and thank you!
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Julie, I hope you and yours have the loveliest of holiday seasons and you enjoy your time with your family. Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
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Merry Christmas Julie and family. Thank you for all the wonderful patterns and beautiful photos and blogs.
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Agreeing with all of the previous comments. You are amazing and hopefully you will give yourself some well deserved praise and grace.
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I agree with all the above comments. Your report would say you are amazing and bring so much happiness to so many people. Have a great Christmas and New Year and enjoy some time for yourself and with your family 🥰
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What would we do without you. I think you have done an amazing job with the patterns. They are so adorable and have been so much fun to make. And those shoes are amazing. I put shoes on all my animals so I’m excited to make them.
That fox is to die for. I love her. Sweetest face.
You are an amazing women and I admire your talent in everything you you do.
I hope the happiest of Christmas to you and your family.
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Love to you and yours, may all that you give in spirit to the wild critters around you, that shows in their being drawn to you, be felt by you.
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Thanks you so much for the free shoe patterns , every time I make one of your beautiful patterns my heart fills with joy.
I knitted 3 unicorns at the beginning of the year for Christmas gifts for my granddaughters. My son got married a couple of weekends ago and his daughter who is 5 years old had a unicorn dink at the wedding , I didn’t know that the Unicorn is the Mystical animal of Scotland .
Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.
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Julie, in addition to caring for your family, you’ve brought joy to so many. Just look at that fox! She’s an instant friend. Thank you for a wonderfully productive 2023. May you have a wonderful Christmas season with your family. And please know you bring tremendous joy to people all over the world.
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Eu amo acompanhar seus posts… eles
me trazem paz. Desejo a você e sua família toda a paz e gentilezas disponíveis nesse final de ano e também desejo que o ano novo seja incrivelmente!!
❤️❤️
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If you had a report card which said ‘must try harder’ the report writer would need sacking! Please give yourself the same positive approach that I am sure you would give to others! It sounds as if your to-do list is too long and the year too short. We all think that you’ve achieved miracles!
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I was so sad to read your “must try harder comment”, why on earth would you be so had on yourself? I know that you have brought me a lot of joy with your new patterns this year and I thank you for it. I think you are amazing.
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Miss Fox is incredible! Your designs are so appealing and beautifully crafted – they bring such joy, as does your writing and photography. Thank you for the pleasure it brings to all of us who similarly appreciate the good that is around them. Keep up the good work is a more fitting response to your achievements this year. Thank you!
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Aww! Thanks for showing your the finished Miss Fox. You are such a beautifully knitter and you have a great gift for choosing colours.
I agree with everyone else! You are so much more than you realise! But you are also humble and that is something rare and special. We love your blog and all that you do.
Merry Christmas and thanks for making the world a nicer place.
Oh and the boots are adorable!
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Joyeux Noël !
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Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein gesundes, gutes neues Jahr.
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I think you have achieved a lot this year. I think we are both guilty of setting ourselves too long a list of “must do”. I have not completed my list but try not to stress about it. Life gets in the way of our hobbies sometimes.
I am grateful for your patterns and your blog with stunning photos.
Enjoy your break with the family.
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Julie, thank you for providing me endless hours of fun knitting. I give my little animals to several charities so indirectly you make many, many childrens Christmases here in Arizona, USA, very happy. Everyone loves your animals. I’ve just completed my first Highland Steer.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Julie I wholeheartedly agree with all the previous comments. You give such joy and bring smiles to many faces with your dear little animals. It is truly a gift that you have. I also love the way you write and always look forward to the beautiful photos that you take. Thank you for the little boots patterns. Enjoy your Christmas with your family and best wishes for the coming year.
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Well I give you 10/10 with a Distinction! A great big thank you and Happy Christmas to you all! Enjoy some relaxation. xxx
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Miss Foxy is adorable. I agree with all the other comments, that you are amazing and have accomplished soooo very much this year. I think maybe you are too hard on yourself. Sometimes instead of looking forward at all we still have to accomplish, we need to take time to turn around and appreciate all that has been accomplished. You certainly have not fallen short. Your blog brings such joy to so many of us. Enjoy your down time, relax and take some time to just BE. Sending you good thoughts for a wonderful holiday season – hope it’s just the way you’d like it to be.
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Thank you so much for the new patterns. May you have a lovely holiday season.
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Julie, you write so eloquently.
Your beautiful descriptions, stunning photography and thoughtful observations always make me remember that the small things are so very important, and that they can make the big things much easier to bear.
Thank you so much for the generous gift of the boots patterns.
Wishing you happiness and peace for the holiday season. xx
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Julie
Can you label the patterns used on the lovely fox on your blog? I own the boy fox pattern but will happily buy the girl and related garments. She is delightful. Do not be so hard on yourself. . . . give your self some grace for all of the joy that your patterns and photos bring others.
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You amended report card now reads “Spreads happiness throughout the world, is a joy to know and is appreciated and loved by many.” Have a restful and Merry Christmas’
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Miss Fox is totally charming! Just looking at her makes me smile!
Thank you for your wonderful animals, for how well-written the patterns are, for the lovely photos you share, for your gentle and loving voice.
Happy Christmas and a very blessed New Year.
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That fox is so beautiful – she is a feast for the eyes. I’m grateful to you for your writing, pictures and patterns; agree that you give a lot to the world. I hope you have a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas.
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Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with family. Take time to relax and enjoy the season.
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Dear Julie,
I started reading your blog from the very beginning earlier in the year and have at last caught up.
I have really enjoyed learning about you and your family and loving your trips and photos in the woods.
I so admire you and how much you manage to achieve.
My grandmother used to live in Firs Walk, Tewin Woods, so some of your ramblings reminded me of my visits to her many many years ago.
Thank you
Sue
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That little fox is to LIVE for!
Best wishes from New England,
Ellen
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Wishing you a peaceful and Happy New Year! Be kind to yourself, take care of yourself, and remember that YOU matter!!! All the best for 2024!!
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I think I say it from all of us that follow you, that we love all you do and that you have and are still making our lives joyful with all your beautiful
Patterns and it’s a bonus to hear about your life .
We all have struggled in our lives and we understand it can be difficult, you do a great job and your son is a credit to you.
Wishing you a Happy and hopefully healthy 2024 . ❤️
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Happy New Year and thanks for the updates of the boot patterns!
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