Category: in the woods

in the woods

bluebell time

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)42 Comments

 

Bb

 

Carpet

 

Bluebs

 

Wood

 

Bluebells

 

Frond

 

Leaves

 

Leaves2

 

Although I didn't grow up in the area where we now live, I feel that I've got to know it well over the last 20 years. I've enjoyed that process and it's one that continues as there are still so many new places to explore. One of the nicest things about getting to know an area well is discovering it's seasonal secrets. This local wood for instance is unremarkable for most of the year but for a few weeks every April it is transformed into a magical wonderland, a perfect habitat to begin believing in fairies, elves and unicorns.

I know I share pictures like these most years but I couldn't resist doing so again. It's such a beautiful sight and there's an incredible perfume too, though sadly I have no way to share that here.

Next week I'm looking forward to the next spring event in my local calendar, which will be the apple trees blossoming at an ancient orchard. I'll pop back then with some pictures if I've got the timing right.

Thanks as always for visiting with me here and sorry I've been absent a lot recently. I've still been deep in pattern writing and am also working on a tutorial to share, so there will be lots coming up over the next month. For now I'm off to do more editing and finish testing out the last few bits and pieces, but I'll be back as soon as I have some news. Until then I'll leave you with a couple of pictures from our school Easter break – all of our neighbours know it's spring again when Toby resumes bouncing as they can hear his squeals of joy and see the clouds of bubbles drifting over the fence 🙂

 

Toby bounce2

Toby bounce

 

 

crafts & knitting · general stuff · in the woods · wildlife

February, the waiting month

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)41 Comments

 

Swans

 

February always feels like the month where you need the most patience. The shortest day of the year may well be weeks behind us now, but February days can feel as short, dark and cold as it is possible to be and although we all know that Spring is on the way, concrete evidence of that is hard to find. The grey days coupled with lingering sniffles have us feeling a little blue here, even the mood-enhancing effects of cake seemed more short-lived last week and we've all needed a little extra comfort and cosiness.

Unsurprisingly I've been finding mine in knitting and I'd like to show you what I've been working on but I'm not quite ready to reveal, so that will be for another day. I have finished the Snawpaws mittens though and as today had the brightest start that we've seen in weeks I grabbed them and my camera and set off for an early walk (leaving the others to a half-term break lie-in).

We're lucky to have such a good choice of places to walk and today I chose the New River canal and Amwell nature reserve. Though the trees are still bare I've come home reassured that Spring really is just around the corner: there were plenty of catkins and buds; frilly anemone leaves underfoot in the woods and a feeling of renewed intimacy between the resident swans. The male swan spent a good deal of time thrashing the water with his huge wings and putting on quite a display for his mate and it's nice to think that there will be a new clutch of fluffy grey signets hatching out in a few months. A little robin was trilling away in the hedge and flew down to greet me, perching on a fence post just beyond arms reach. He was most amenable to being photographed and offered me several poses to choose from, such a bold and entertaining little chap as he was. It was a lovely morning to be out and I'm glad I made the effort and resisted that tempting lie-in.

I'm hoping to get out later in the week for a snowdrop walk because once they've emerged there's no denying that Spring has begun. 'Til then I'll be keeping Toby entertained and busy and hopefully squeezing in a few rows of knitting here and there. Hope the week ahead is good to you, see you soon.

 

Swans1

Towpath

Greatamwell

Swanlake

Splash

Flap

Towpath2

Reserve

Catkins3

Catkins2

Mitts

Mitts3

Robin3

Robin4

Robin5

Robin2

 

 

crafts & knitting · general stuff · in the woods

Mid December days

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)22 Comments

Wee chip

 

Scarfgrey

 

Greyscrf

 

Greyscarf

 

Socky

 

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.

 

Woods

Pines - Copy

Bootswoods

Fronds

Frond

Mossy - Copy

Toadst

 

 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