Hat

January 20, 2012 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)56 Comments

We've had quite a few cold and frosty mornings of late.

And since there is still a fair bit of yarn left over from my mitten knitting, I thought I'd put it to good use. So I now have a hat to match my mittens.

Considering how cleverly designed and gorgeous Kate Davies's pattern is, it would have been rude not to, but I think I've satisfied my fairisle fixation for now. I can feel a major bunny knitting phase approaching.

I shall be warm and toasty in the woods this weekend. Wishing you a warm and happy weekend wherever you are x

crafts & knitting

…recharging…

January 12, 2012 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)53 Comments

…by knitting,

more mittens (could be that there's a slight obsession going on here!)

I even like how they look in-side-out

and some bunnies in Orkney Angoras St magnus yarn, (50% angora, 50% lambswool) a truly delicious yarn from lovely people

…and by listening (and singing along loudly and very badly) to Polly Paulusma's Running with Scissors. She has such an enviable voice and I like her rather dark and quirky lyrics.

All in all it's been a quiet week of settling back into routines. Toby is much happier and I'm building up my energy reserves so I'm ready to plead, beg or battle with social services for an increase in our paltry 6 hours a month of respite care.

Thank you so much for all of the kind, supportive and encouraging comments recently. They mean so very much to me and I am deeply and truly grateful for them and for your visits here.

Thank you x

autism

And breathe…

January 5, 2012 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)70 Comments

It's very wet and windy outside today, but I don't much mind because here in my little corner of the world all is quiet and cosy and peaceful.

Christmas this year was really tough going for Toby, and therefore for us too. Each year I think that it can't get worse and each year I am surprised to find that it can – you'd think I'd learn, but then I suppose I am an optimist. The change in routine means that Toby finds all school holidays incredibly stressful and coupled with the Christmas tree and decorations making the house look different we had a lot more hand-biting, meltdowns, screaming flinging fits and awful nights. He couldn't cope with some of the decorations so we had to take them down and as usual we didn't get to eat Christmas lunch all together – I spent most of it in the garden blowing bubbles for Toby while Amy & H ate.

'Special days' really accentuate the difference between how our family lives and how family life is for most and I know it's particularly hard for Amy despite the considerable effort H & I make to be upbeat and jolly. I do try to focus on all that I have to be grateful for, but deep down I wish with all my heart that Toby could experience a little of the magic of Christmas and as a consequence I felt tearful for much of Christmas day.

Anyway, I'm not going to dwell on all that could be better because, like many who deal with difficult circumstances, I'm aware of the deep well of despair and bitterness that it would be all to easy to fall into. I have seen it claim some that I know and that is not how I want to live my life. Instead I'm going to take up my knitting, enjoy my cup of tea and revel in the peace, quiet and calm that has returned here now that Toby is back at school. Thank goodness for familiar, comforting routines and the simple, quiet pleasures of knitting.

Time to recharge my batteries.