Category: crafts & knitting

crafts & knitting

Moley progress

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)42 Comments

Did you know that the collective noun for a group of moles is a labour? Not that there’s any reason why you should, because a group of moles is a rare thing as they are quite solitary little creatures who keep themselves to themselves.

Anyway, there is a labour of moles on my table today and that word is doubly relevant because I have definitely laboured over putting this pattern together. It’s not a difficult pattern, it’s just that I seem to have lost my decision making powers. I have dithered and procrastinated and gone back and forth over almost every aspect for months, fretting over the length of the nose, the size of the hands and exactly which brown, red or mustard colour would be right for the clothing. In the end I’ve had to give myself a stiff talking to. So decisions have now been made and the photos are mostly done, and now I’m just in the process of laying everything out and testing it through. It is coming together however and I’m looking forward to being able to share these new patterns for the moles and a little coat & cardigans pattern too.

Well that’s it from me today, although I have some lovely bluebell pictures to share in my next post, Spring is in full swing here and it is glorious. I hope there’s a little glory going on somewhere in your week too, see you soon, J x

 

crafts & knitting · wildlife

Early April

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)30 Comments

Spring is in full swing here and the days are lengthening and warming up nicely. The plum tree blossom is now just faded confetti on the ground, but for a few weeks it was a glorious sight, especially when illuminated by the ghostly light of the full moon or warmed to a rosy glow by the rising sun. Do you see the red kite gliding overhead? It was only a few years ago that these majestic birds returned to this area, but now we see at least one every day and sometimes as many as six circling high overhead, they are wonderful to watch.

Here we’ve been plodding on quietly and keeping to familiar and comforting routines. There have been lots of walks in the woods with Toby, some pottering in the garden and some knitting of course. I’ve been wanting to use this beautiful hand-dyed yarn for a while and have spent far too long browsing on Ravelry and pondering which would be the right pattern for it and I’m very happy with the one that I finally chose. The pattern is simple and relaxing to knit, just what is needed right now, and it’s knitting up beautifully. The yarn is ‘Honey is Cool’ Falkland Merino 4ply hand-dyed by Ocean Rose and the shawl pattern is ‘Hollows’ by Melody Hoffmann.

Lastly, as you can see there is a new little friend emerging from my needles. He’s a little shy at the moment, having not yet been knitted any clothes to wear, I’ve been really indecisive about what to dress him in but I hope to be able to finalise his outfit from a couple of ideas that I’ve been working on and share the patterns soon – I’ll keep the blog up to date with developments.

Thanks for visiting here with me, I hadn’t intended to be absent from the blog for so long but finding the time seems to have become a little more difficult and sometimes it doesn’t feel like I have anything interesting or relevant to share. I do however plan to be here a little more often, so hopefully see you soon and until then I hope that life is treating you kindly, J x

 

countryside · crafts & knitting

Emerging

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)22 Comments

February is always the time when I feel like I’m emerging from hibernation. Not that I have slept all of January of course, though the temptation was certainly there. I have been busily knitting away and have put together the beginnings of a couple of new patterns. They still need editing, photographing, laying out and testing so it will be a while before they are ready but they will be coming soonish and when they’re a little further along I might give a sneak peek. I’ve also been out and about with my camera a bit, enjoying the quiet of the winter countryside, though never venturing too far from the pull and comfort of home.

Winter this year has been mild, with only a few frosty January mornings. I do love how the frost transforms the dull coloured twigginess of the winter landscape, so couldn’t resist heading out to take some pictures before scurrying back home to curl up with my knitting again.

In the last week there has been a sense of change in the air, especially at daybreak, which throughout December and January has been a silent affair. But now that February is here the dawn chorus is gaining new voices each day, with small birds singing out their territorial boundaries from first light. Spring is waiting in the wings, ready to burst forth with colour and fragrance and celebration of warming and lengthening days. I don’t know about you, but I feel very ready for it.