cosying

January 17, 2013April 30, 2026 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)53 Comments

It has been so cold here this week. We started the week with snow, have carried on with sub zero temperatures and it looks like we’ll be finishing off with another snowfall tomorrow. Not that I’m complaining. I like snow, a lot, especially when I don’t actually have to go anywhere and can use it as an excuse to park myself on the sofa with some wool and stay warm and cosy!

It’s given me time to finish those gloves, (full details on ravelry) and wear them! I’m really pleased with how comfy they are.

And some time for bunny knitting too. But the thing that is really entrancing my fingers at the moment is another crochet blanket. At the end of last year I became slightly obsessed with this wonderful blanket that I’d found on my travels around the internet. It really bugs me to not know the source of an image and therefore give proper credit and appreciation to the creator (and often tumblr and pinterest don’t link back to the source **) but by happy coincidence I did actually discover the original over on Ros Badger’s site.

I am so in love with this blanket – the colours are wonderful and remind me of old oriental carpets with their natural dyes like madder root, larkspur, weld, oak bark and indigo. I also love the way that each square looks like a little tile with that rim of lighter yarn looking like the grouting inbetween. Although I am informed by H (in slightly testy tones) that we really don’t need another blanket I have bought the yarn and made a start on a blanket inspired by these particular details.

I’ll show you where I am with it next time! In the meantime have a lovely weekend and if you’re in the snow zone – keep warm and cosy x

** Update: Happily, Solange has kindly updated the tumblr page and linked to the source. I’ve also had messages to let me know that the pattern is available in the current issue of Mollie Makes magazine and Ros’s book ‘Homemade: Gorgeous Things to Make with love’

white

February 5, 2012May 2, 2026 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)27 Comments

Overnight our garden turned white, as did much of southern Britain.

I’m just so grateful that the snow didn’t arrive 24 hours earlier because that would have meant missing one of the nicest days that I’ve had for quite a while. A day spent with lovely, like-minded ladies: Tracy, Val, Ali, Emma, Monica, Alice and Nancy (and the very lovable Pippin, who is not a lady). There was a lot of laughter, good food, thoughtful presents and a little crafting (not quite as much as planned) and it was one of those days that you reach the end of and realise that you have aching cheeks from all the laughing and smiling that you’ve done. I feel very lucky and privileged to have been able to go along, thanks to Emma for chauffeuring me and to Tracy for being the perfect hostess and to everyone else for your you-ness x

autism · general stuff · winter

And breathe…

January 5, 2012May 2, 2026 Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)70 Comments

It’s very wet and windy outside today, but I don’t much mind because here in my little corner of the world all is quiet and cosy and peaceful.

Christmas this year was really tough going for Toby, and therefore for us too. Each year I think that it can’t get worse and each year I am surprised to find that it can – you’d think I’d learn, but then I suppose I am an optimist. The change in routine means that Toby finds all school holidays incredibly stressful and coupled with the Christmas tree and decorations making the house look different we had a lot more hand-biting, meltdowns, screaming flinging fits and awful nights. He couldn’t cope with some of the decorations so we had to take them down and as usual we didn’t get to eat Christmas lunch all together – I spent most of it in the garden blowing bubbles for Toby while Amy & H ate.

‘Special days’ really accentuate the difference between how our family lives and how family life is for most and I know it’s particularly hard for Amy despite the considerable effort H & I make to be upbeat and jolly. I do try to focus on all that I have to be grateful for, but deep down I wish with all my heart that Toby could experience a little of the magic of Christmas and as a consequence I felt tearful for much of Christmas day.

Anyway, I’m not going to dwell on all that could be better because, like many who deal with difficult circumstances, I’m aware of the deep well of despair and bitterness that it would be all to easy to fall into. I have seen it claim some that I know and that is not how I want to live my life. Instead I’m going to take up my knitting, enjoy my cup of tea and revel in the peace, quiet and calm that has returned here now that Toby is back at school. Thank goodness for familiar, comforting routines and the simple, quiet pleasures of knitting.

Time to recharge my batteries.