“a bird in the hand…

November 8, 2010 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)29 Comments

…is worth two in the bush" as the saying goes. But I've already got 2 birds in my hands today because I've finished the mittens and I'm chuffed to bits with them.

Knitting the Madeline Tosh Vintage yarn on 2.5mm needles really makes them thick and warm and the gorgeous tonal range of the yarn really does Kate's beautiful pattern justice. I love the secret little bird on the inside of each thumb and the design seems fairytale like, so it seemed appropriate to take them into the woods for their first outing.

Though I did have to keep checking over my shoulder to make sure Mr Wolf wasn't sidling up behind me through the trees!

It's a really lovely pattern and I'd definitely recommend it. If you're put off by knitting in the round or by the estonian braids then take a look at my ravelry page for some cheats and tips.

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PS: I had an email from a dear friend with a request:

Kate and Gerry McCann are looking for people to sign a petition that they hope will result in an independent review of Madeleine's case – the text of Gerry's letter follows. I was wondering if you'd be able to highlight this in your next blog and give a link to the petition so that your readers can sign up? As you know, I struggle with physical pain most days but the pain of losing your child, wondering what has become of them, being vilified in the press – Julie, I think that would drive me mad. Consequently I feel I should do anything I can to help them … so I do hope you don't mind me turning to you once again. The link to the petition is:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/madeleinemccann_case_review/signatures

If it's a cause that has resonance for you please take a moment to sign the petition – you can visit their website too which details the history of Madeleine's disappearance three and a half years ago. Thanks x

crafts & knitting

Autumny part two

October 21, 2010 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)38 Comments

I've just treated myself to some new yarn – Madeline Tosh Vintage in Antler and Tart*. It may be eye-wateringly expensive, but my goodness it is gorgeous!

Vibrantly rich in colour

with a lovely plied twist

and perfect for a pair of lovely mitts to keep my hard-working fingers toasty and warm on those cold and frosty mornings that are just around the corner!

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* I bought mine from Loop

crafts & knitting · general stuff

Autumny

October 19, 2010 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)37 Comments

Walks in the woods are definitely best at this time of year and Toby & I collected lots of different leaves on our walk last weekend. It got me thinking about hedgehogs and hibernation and made me want to come back home and get cracking on a little batch of autumny hedgehog pincushions with leaves on them.

I had lots of fun last year with shrinkle sheets and leaf shapes but couldn't find the sketches I made back then so I've made some new templates which you're welcome to use too.

Just trace them onto a shrinkle sheet (my favourite are the frosted ones – which make it easy to trace an image underneath), colour in with coloured pencils, punch a hole and bake them in the oven to shrink them into tiny little leaves. I use mine as pin toppers for the hedgehogs but they'd work as jewellery, keyrings or phone tags too.