countryside · crafts & knitting · in the woods · wildlife

August: Autumn comes early

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

 

Hello there, this is the first blog post from my new blogging home over on wordpress (all previous posts are copies from my former typepad blog), so if you are a subscriber and receiving it by email I have my fingers crossed that this reaches you, and finds you well.

At the beginning of August we had a return to hot and dry conditions here and that has once again had a big impact on the woods and countryside, accelerating season change. As Toby and I walk through the woods now, great drifts of leaves are loosened from the trees at the slightest breath of breeze. But they are not like the leaves that normally fall in autumn, instead they are baked brown, sun-shrivelled and dry as paper. Each footfall sounds a crisp crunch and there is no hope of us surprising any unsuspecting wildlife for a brief encounter, as they hear us coming a mile away.

Autumn come so soon, leaves me feeling a little melancholy. Summer has been harsh this year, and so tough on the trees and wildlife. Everything has been hanging on, rather than flourishing.

One of the nice things though about late summer wood walks is finding feathers, pine cones and other discarded treasures from the forest floor. This year I’ve added to my feather collection with a host of spotted woodpecker feathers, all found together from a kill, most likely a sparrowhawk; a couple of pheasant feathers; a long green woodpecker feather; and lots of tawny owl feathers. I also found a beautifully speckled moorhen egg along the riverbank. And already there are a lot of fungi appearing in the woods, some of them like the ‘chicken of the woods’ sulphur polypore are rather spectacular, you don’t get a sense of scale in the photo above but it was easily 2ft across. I’m hoping it will be a good season for fungi as I get quite excited to see all the different types that appear in the woods around us.

Back at home I’ve been knitting lots again: socks and a little neckerchief scarf in autumny colours; and I’ve also been making some animals to photograph for new front covers of my earlier patterns: the rabbits, elephants, foxes and mice. I’ll keep you posted about progress and updates to the existing patterns.

My main focus at the moment though is getting my images permanently imported into the old blog posts in this new blog home (as images will otherwise disappear at the end of september when typepad shut down)

So far I am making good progress, all of my tutorial posts now have secured images, and every single post from July 2025 to January 2023 also now have permanent images. Next I will be prioritising posts about knitting and patterns and then my nature and wildlife posts (you can find all of these categories and more on the sidebar of my blog page). I will be working backwards chronologically and will not stop until the majority of my blog posts have permanent images. I am pretty sure I now have all of the images saved in order to be able to achieve that.

If you have any favourite posts of mine that you would also like me to prioritise please do let me know in the comments above (scroll to the top of the post or reply to the emailed version of this blog post to leave a comment). I will do my best to accommodate any requests.

Well, I’ll be back later in the month, I still have a pending post about knitted decreases, the companion piece to my knitting increases post earlier this year, I hope to finish that soon and I will be pattern writing again, though dividing my time between that and blog reconstruction will mean it is a slow process.

Very best wishes and thank you as always for accompanying me on my blogging journey here in my new home, J xx

86 thoughts on “August: Autumn comes early”

  1. Finally I am able to leave a comment on your blog posts! I knew when you mentioned Word Press, I would be able to respond. I have followed you for so many years and have never been able to let you know how much joy you have brought me. I really enjoy your outings and discoveries on your walking trips, your kids, animals (real and knitted). Thank you for your patterns and for being able to view your knitting process.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Mary Lea, that really means a lot to me. I’m so glad to that wordpress is a little more user friendly for readers. I know quite a few people had problems commenting on typepad but it was never resolved, it makes me feel a little happier and more settled in my new home here to know that it will be a better space for my readers, J x

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      1. Julie, thank you so much for continuing the blog. For those of us here in the US, life is chaotic and a bit scary. It’s such a joy to escape the turmoil of the news by diving into your photographs and writing. LCR is such a welcome respite.

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    1. Thanks so much Cheryl, I will definitely do so, I love to get out into the countryside with my camera, it’s so a relaxing and calming to wander along at a slow pace and look for all the beauties of nature, thanks again, J x

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  7. I wish you every success with your new blog. I enjoy reading your posts and seeing pictures, especially today’s post with all the fungi. I have made over 100 little tree stockings adding my own desigs to some and I am starting to make some ofbthe animals. The neighborhood children are enjoying the animals and the different outfits. The highland cow recently made a trip to Denmark and England before returning to Ladysmith, Canada.

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    1. It’s rather nice isn’t it? One of my favourites to spend my birthday money on for a treat (as it is a little expensive), it’s La Bien Aimee BFL Tough Sock in the ‘Quail’ colourway (75% blue faced Leicester, 25% nylon). I bought it from Loop London though they seem to have no stock on their website at the moment.

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  13. Your new bloghome showed up without any trouble in my inbox. Hope you have a wonderful autumn to look forward to. And as always, your knitting is just the bees knees. Beautiful combinations of yarn and patterns. Do you mind me asking which pattern you are using for the scarf… it feels familiar but it escapes me at the same time (the joys of getting on a bit I’m afraid)

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  14. Thank you for the update, Julie.
    Good luck with all the work. Thanks for all the patterns and the joy they bring to both the maker and the recipients. All the best, Katherine

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  15. Photos are lovely and inspiring, as always. So happy your blog came right to me!
    Truly, shame on people for taking your work without permission. So sorry that is happening. You deserve better. Christie in Maine, USA

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words Christie, I’m glad the post reached you OK. I think sometimes people don’t think through their actions or ponder the impact that they might have, I’m certain there was no ill-intent, just perhaps a little lack of thought. Hopefully my post will inform and explain things from the point of view of a blog author and give blog readers a chance to understand that side of things. Thanks again for your kindness, J x

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  18. I’ve always enjoyed reading your blog and knitting your patterns. I hope all continues to go smoothly with all the changes you are having to make.
    With best wishes
    Jennifer

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  25. Dear Julie
    Thank you for letting us all know about your blog. I have received your new blog. Thank you. I always look forward to seeing what new things you have made or your pictures of your woodland walks. Keep it up. Look forward to your next blog.
    Charlotte

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  26. Pleased to see your new blog post in my inbox this morning. It certainly felt like Autumn today. Best wishes to you and your family.
    Sarah in Scotland

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  27. Lovely to find you in my inbox today; your posts are always lovely, but today was especially good.
    Came home from hospital treatment absolutely shattered, opened my emails before crashing, and there was your lovely post.
    Take care of yourself as you do all your uploading and care for your family.
    Thinking positive thoughts for you all.
    Thanks also for your message about what it means to be a blog author. I would not think about copying something from a blog sight but it’s good to hear why its important not too.

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  28. My dear Julie,
    Thank you for bringing so much joy and creativity in my life.
    I always look forward to receiving your posts and photos.
    I feel deep appreciation for you.
    I wish you the best with all my heart.!
    Maria Diakaki

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  29. I was thrilled to get your blog post on my email this morning. I have followed for so long it would have been such a loss if you hadn’t been able to continue.
    Your photos from an opposite season are gorgeous as always.
    Well done on all the photo saving and manoeuvring to the new blog.
    All the very very best to you and your family Julie
    Helen in Brisbane

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    1. Looks like my comment didn’t go through. I’m using reply to post it.
      Beautiful chicken of the woods is one of the most delicious mushrooms (saute in butter and a little lemon juice).
      Thank you so much for all your pictures and knitting patterns.
      Love & prayers Julie.
      Lois Libby

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  32. I was so glad to receive your email, I thought I was going to miss out. I love reading about you and your family. I have a few of your patterns, and if I want more, I will definitely BUY them from you. Take care, Gail

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  34. Received an email. Congratulations on the new platform. It’s lovely to revisit your posts. Best wishes and I plan to be a regular visitor.

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  39. I love all your content so I will be sure to hit your new blog. I do have to say I think I will be traumatized by the SPIDERS?????? on the fungi. GOOD LORD those are big, but they look delicate and beautiful.

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  40. Email received in Tasmania xxx Sorry people are downloading your pics! You said you were saving them! I hope guilty parties delete their ill gotten gains!! All the best for this very busy time for you xx

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  41. Dear Julie, your ability to make these changes is unimaginable to me and I thank you for the work to keep your site alive. I also want to express how much I admire your beautiful aesthetic with every design and photograph, your love and gratitude for your surroundings and of course your family. Everytime I see your name on my screen, I am thrilled to sit down and share your world.
    Thank you for bringing me so much joy.
    Jane

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  43. Dear Julie,
    The change to the new blog was seamless from my end. Saw it on email and since it helps the algorithm I intend to visit your new blog more often. Your posts always give me a sense of peace: the perfect pictures; being it wildlife, daily life or knitting projects. I cannot click faster when I get the email that you posted something new.

    Wishing you all the best xx
    Graziella

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  44. Carissima Julie,

    Just a quick note to say that the new blog is fully accessable from my end. Brava!

    You came to mind a couple of weeks ago when I was visiting my family in the US. Granddaughter Annie, at nearly seven, still loves playing with the girl fox I made her two years ago. I had such fun making the pattern and a large assortment of clothes.

    Thank you for brightening all of our lives.

    Susan

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  45. Received your blog fine. I love reading it and your photos are always lovely. I’m pleased that you are keeping going with it. Thank you for all your tutorials too. I’m from the Isle of Wight.

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  46. Thank you for the beautiful photos. They always cheer me up. Im in Australia and the weather is starting to heat up. Is the elephant a new pattern?

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  47. You should be selling your gorgeous photography. Your eye for detail, color and composition is incredible and I know people would love to display your art…while knitting one of your sweet animals.
    All the best,
    Victoria

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  49. I love all your little creatures (even though I don’t knie these days). And your photography is outstanding. I used to paint for my own enjoyment and some day I will get back t o doing so and hope that your photos will inspire me.
    Thank you for all you do. Judith

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  50. Hi Julie. I will always support you and adhere to all your instructions for what to do and what not to do! Thank you for your caring about us, your readers, the environment, other creative people out here following you and thank you mostly for bringing beauty and joy to all with your outstanding photos and writings!
    I am fortunate to have found you…..

    Susan

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  52. So lovely to still be able to see all your beautiful pictures that you have taken.
    I bought your Squirrel pattern but haven’t started knitting it yet .
    Love reading your blog . Jan 😊

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  53. I am so sorry that typepad is abandoning you, and you have so much work to do to switch over to wordpress, but I have to say this will be so much better for me as I have not been able to comment, or subscribe to your blog, but now I can here on wordpress. I have enjoyed knitting your patterns for years, and I am amazed at your skill in knitting and writing patterns that are so thorough and easy to figure out. I have made a woodland village for my grandchildren and have used your patterns to make many woodland friends for young and old alike to enjoy. Thank you so much for all you do and share. You are loved by many!!!

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  55. Oh what a lot of work for you! This new blog looks beautiful though. I am deeply impressed by your woodpecker feathers and fungi findings. I’ve seen some mushrooms already this year but I have no luck finding feathers!

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  56. Sorry you’ve had all this extra work Julie, when you should simply be being your creative self! But don’t worry…we’ll all find you and your lovely Blog. It always brings a smile when I see your wonderful new pictures of nature and knitting. Thank you for all your hard work xxx

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  59. I followed you from your old blog. And I was able to find your new blog with my RSS feed reader so that works. I hope you enjoy your new blog home.

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