knitting, nature and living with autism in the family
Just popping in briefly to wish you all a happy and healthy start to the New Year and share some of my favourite moments from 2016 in what has become a little tradition (previous year round-ups are here).
I hope it's a good year for us all and that your New Year's day is full of joyful anticipation, thoughtful planning and the company of those you love x
It was peppermint bark day here yesterday! I've been melting chocolate, crushing candy canes, dripping peppermint oil, stirring cream, threading stripey string through festive tags and listening to carols – it must be almost Christmas!
Peppermint bark has become my standard gift for Toby's teachers at Christmas and it always seems to be well received. It's very easy to make and delicious. There a recipe here along with a free printable gift tag to download if you want to make and gift some too.
We've not yet put the tree up – in our house that's a tradition saved for the afternoon after the children finish school (which will be tomorrow) but there are some paper snowflakes now dangling in the window, plenty of festive candles and a small bunch of mistletoe hanging over the door in case anyone fancies a kiss!
It's unlikely I'll be popping back here until the new Year so until then I'll take this opportunity to wish you and all of those you love a very merry, peaceful and comfortable Christmas and to also thank you so very much for being a part of my life too through your messages and support, with my very warmest best wishes,
Julie xxx
Well, I'm not doing well with my plan to pop in here more frequently am I? There has been productivity to my days since I was last here though; I'm scribbling notes and testing ideas for a new pattern and have been knitting lots of new animals from the existing patterns too. Having made two recent batches of finished animals has really brought home to me how much I love making them and how I'd like to make more next year, probably seasonal batches with a little theme, so I'll keep you posted here about progress.
There's been so much knitting in my December days, it's the perfect antidote to all of the planning, shopping, preparing and general business that comes with the time of year. The little bunny at the top there was made as a gift for a friend and I'm making a few more as stocking fillers (pattern is my free teeny tiny toys pattern)
I've finished and am wearing the scarf above, knitted in the beautiful Blend No. 1 from Ysolda. I do love the softness of this yarn and it is wonderfully warm and soft next to the skin. The pattern is the Flora Cowl by Carrie Bostick Hoge but I've made it into a long scarf instead of joining the ends to make a cowl.
Also in my WIPs basket under plenty of bunny bits are lots of personal projects, a pair of mittens, 2 pairs of wristwarmers, a shawl, a scarf, a crochet blanket and 3 pairs of socks – I seem to have finally succumbed to the charm of sock knitting. Goodness knows when any of these will get finished but I'm not in any hurry.
As well as finding peace and contentment in knitting I've also been seeking out silence and solitude in the woods. It's such a perfect place to find calmness and I always come away feeling refreshed. The pictures below are from walks over the last few weeks in Cowheath wood, a mixture of pines and birches bordered by ancient oaks and hornbeams.
Well, I'm off to knit a little before the chaos of the weekend descends. Next week will be all about the build up to Christmas, so I expect it will be a busy one for us all. Here's wishing you some peace and calm amongst the chaos and success in ticking off most of your to-do list! See you soon x
little cotton rabbits 