Hello from the middle of the school summer holidays! This is a flying visit because free time is currently in short supply for me here but things are generally going well. Toby is being kept busy and the weather has been glorious, though a little hotter than we are used to. The reason I’m popping in today is to mention the two new patterns that I’ve released this morning. It has taken me so very long to finish these off – I’ve been working on them off and on for over 18 months. Originally I had designed the dungarees to go into the boy sheep pattern, but for various reasons decided against that. Then I was planning to dress the upcoming badgers in the dungarees and pinafore with T-shirts but decided against that too. It seems better that these clothes are stand alone patterns, as they will fit any of my animals. I had planned to launch them before the summer holidays started, but before they were completely finished life got in the way, as it is often apt to. Anyway, they are done at last, so here they are.

The first pattern includes a pair of dungarees (overalls), a pinafore dress and a little toy which fits perfectly into the pocket (bunny or bear). The garments are knitted flat in 5ply or 4ply yarn on 2.75mm (US 2) needles and the little toy is knitted flat in 4ply yarn on 2.25mm (US 1) needles.

The second pattern is a set of 3 sweaters. All are knitted top down with raglan sleeves and follow the same basic pattern with tweaks. The T shirt has narrow stripes, the long sleeve sweater has wider stripes and the cardigan is flared and knitted in one colour but you can switch those around if you prefer. There are instructions included for knitting them all flat with seams or in the round if preferred.

Here are links to the patterns on Ravelry:

Ravelry dungarees pattern, Ravelry trio of sweaters pattern

If you do give any of the patterns a go and use Ravelry please upload your pictures to the little cotton rabbits group so we can all admire them. It’s so exciting to see what others make from my patterns and I do hope you enjoy knitting them.

I hope to pop back soon with news of other knitting stuff and some pictures of what we’ve been up to here but in truth it might be another few weeks before I get the chance to, I look forward to catching up with you then.

We’re deep in the school Easter break here, and it’s a long 3 weeker as Toby and Amy’s separate schools have different 2 week holidays which only overlap in the middle, so we’re all out of kilter here.

Still, I have actually managed to get to a point I’m calling finished on a new pattern. I’ve been working on this for the best part of 2 years, slowly accruing a collection of different skirt designs, discarding some and testing out new ones to take their place. At a final count of 19 there are a few more than I’d originally planned but some are very simple so there are enough to suit all levels of knitting depending on whether you want something undemanding to knit while watching TV or something a bit more fiddly and involved for a little challenge. They are all based on textures, including raised purl work stitches, lace and cables and most are designed to be worked in a single colour, though you can jazz things up with a different coloured hem or bodice if you chose to. Also included in the pattern are 2 options for a full collar, one that is crochet and one that’s knitted.

The pattern is available via Ravelry or Etsy and will be up on Loveknitting shortly.

I’m really looking forward to seeing all of the projects that people make from these so if you do give the pattern a go please come and add it to the Little Cotton Rabbits ravelry group so that we can all admire it.

Well, I’m off to keep Toby busy and out of mischief. See you soon x