Little Cotton Rabbits

This little piggy went to market...

...and this little piggy stayed at home. Which is right where this little piggy will be staying as Amy has nabbed her!

I was seized by an unyeilding desire to knit a pig on tuesday (strange life I lead!!) so this is my prototpye piggy and once I've sorted out the snout (I'm not fully happy with the end) then I will hopefully be making a few more. I am pleased with her squiggly tail though!

And talking of knitted toys I was really excited to hear from Carolyn, Suzie and Liz that some of my bunnies are in a new book just out called Home by Anita Kaushal.

(thanks for the pictures which came from Suzie -
I've spent all my pocket money on wool so haven't got a copy yet!)

I recognise them as coming from a batch that I sold around 2 years ago to The Cross in London's Holland Park. Before I started the blog and got all of the wonderful feedback about the exciting lives of my toys in their new homes I had already made around 180 rabbits. Many of these went to rather posh outlets and it does make me wonder where they all are now. It's nice to see these two again and in such a chic and stylish home - I hope they remember their humble beginnings!

Happy weekend to you all and especially to Laura at Cupcakes for Clara who is getting married tomorrow!

PS: The lovely Marie is having a wonderful 100th post giveaway at Marie Chantal. You'll have a wonderful time choosing between her gorgeous products if you're the winner, so to be in with a chance pop over and leave a comment.

It's cold outside...

Well, it seems that winter has arrived with fog, drizzle and murky weather all around. But here inside all is cosy, warm and fluffy...

... there's some fantastically soft Lousia Harding Kimono Angora sent to me a little while ago by the lovely Michaela which is in the process of being turned into a scarf.

... and some beautiful new marled Alpaca Select that I've just received from wonderful wool shop First4yarns which is being transformed into new bunnies.

And to do all of this knitting I've been using my new set of ivore swallow needles (made from casein - a lovely light and flexible plastic) recently bought from Dragon Yarns.

So, bring on the rain!

Oh, and by the way if you need a little cheering up, pop over to Sewchristine as she's having a lovely give-away competition and you might just win yourself something to brighten up your week!

Thanks Jill

There are lots of things I'm really behind with at the moment (like replying to emails and taking up tags - sorry Lesley I've not forgotten!) but I wanted to make time to publicly thank Jill (author of the Little Cotton Rabbit story) who recently sent me such a lovely parcel full of wool and goodies.

and included in the package were two bound copies of the book for Amy and I each to treasure.

Thanks Jill x

He's got the measure of me!

He may be autistic but my son knows me all too well. He knows that it's no good just trying to pull me upstairs to play bounce-on-the-bed while I'm in the middle of making tea. But taking my knitting bag as a hostage is guaranteed to get me following! What a tinker!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Christmas cards for charity

Thanks to everyone who visited my shop last night. The latest batch of toys will be winging their way to  their new homes shortly.

I wanted to make some postcards of this seasonal batch but once again time has got the better of me. But then I heard on the blog grapevine that those lovely people over at moo have come up with a wonderful idea. They are offering greetings cards that help raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières. A pack of 10 cards costs £9.99 ($1 goes to the charity) and you can easily personalise them so that your card says exactly what you want it to. You can either print the cards from your own images that you upload to flickr or choose from thousands on file at the people powered card store.

Or you could choose this one!

Just follow this link:

Make a MOO Greetings Card with this image and help raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières You'll be taken straight to a page on MOO with my image selected, ready for you to customise and buy. Find out more about MOO Greetings Cards

And if this has got you in a seasonal mood and you're a knitter then you should pop over for a visit with DottyCookie who has created the sweetest little christmas pudding patch to knit.
 

Rose petal tutu for Rose

The lovely Nathalie at Kennedy and friends has made this beautiful tutu to auction off for the Rose Willcocks fund. Made from the finest quality tulle, satin ribbon and silk rose petals it would make the most perfect Christmas pressie for a budding ballerina or little Princess (aged 2-6 years). Bidding has just started and will end on November 25th so if you pop over now and place a bid you'll be making 2 little girls very happy ones this Christmas!

My new apron

As I've mentioned previously my son is severely autistic and although he is now 6 he still scores at a sub 2 year old level for many of his developmental milestones. He's not yet developed any speech at all and has never uttered a recognisable word although he merrily babbles with lots of consonant sounds. How then can he wander over to me and purposefully ask for some chocolate buttons and a maisy video?

Well it's all down to the magic of PECS (the picture exchange communication system). I have talked about it here before so I'm not going to repeat myself but I will say again that PECs has transformed life for our family and given my little boy a 'voice'. For some time now I have been meaning to put in some intensive time to try and develop Toby's use of PECs further. At the moment he uses it confidently to request food, toys, videos and favourite places like the park but I am hoping that one day he will be able to comment on things he sees, hears and thinks and that we may be able to have more of a 2 way conversation.

So you're probably thinking "what has all this got to do with aprons?" Well, let me introduce my new secret weapon...

Lovingly handcrafted from beautiful fabrics and made especially for me by the wonderful Carolyn at Laughing Duck it has 2 perfect pockets for storing PECs cards and strips. When I'm wearing this I have all of the symbols that I need readily available so I can show Toby the symbol for 'wait' while saying it, the symbol for 'plane' when he glances up to look at one passing overhead and generally begin expanding his vocabulary and teaching him by example that he can use symbols to communicate rather than just for requesting things.

It will take time and lots of work to get him there but, as we have no reason to believe that he will ever learn to speak, using PECs is the best way to equip him with the ability to communicate with others. He's been a real star to achieve what he has already with it so I've no doubt we'll get there in the end and Carolyn's gorgeous apron is going to make getting there a lot easier and more fun! Thanks Carolyn!

Davy for Rose

Just look at this wonderful little chap Davy and his oh-so-cute pet snail Slow who is being auctioned off at ManOmine to raise money for Rose Willcocks. He comes with snacks and a selection of hats and is just the sweetest little bear. He could be yours if you get a bid in there quickly and then you'd have one less christmas present to worry about (if you can bear to give him away and not keep him all to yourself! hee hee)

A solution to the problem of grated cheese

You may remember that I was having a moan recently about Toby's liking for finely grated cheese and how I was wishing for a mouse to keep the carpets clean. Well, look what arrived in the post!

The most perfect little chap for the job!

He's already had a snuffle around and snacked on a couple of stray cheerios, some cake crumbs and of course copious quantities of grated cheese. He's worth his weight in gold AND he came bearing gifts of chocolate, biscuits and wool.

Martine you are very sweet - I love Cheddar (as Amy has named the mouse) and the goodies are much appreciated - thanks so much X

Thanks too to everyone who voted for me in the softie awards. It was great to be nominated and although my puds didn't win they're not too sad to have lost to such a cute gingerbread baby!

more little friends far away...

I spent the weekend in my 'mailroom' surrounded by tissue paper, ribbon and packing tape and yesterday the latest batch of little cotton friends embarked on their journey to new lives near and far.

I love knowing that my little knitted creatures have arrived safely in their new homes and it's a real bonus when people take the time to send photos. So here's a round-up of some of the little cotton friends who've happily settled into new homes. Thanks so much to...

...Martine who has given Crispin a snuggly new home (and a posh new scarf),

...Clara and her son who have taken Linus on lots of lovely autumn adventures (more adventures of Linus can be found here)

...Amanda, whose gorgeous little boy is obviously happy to meet Ferdie

...Nancy who has made Florrie feel right at home

...Karen, who has lots of friends to welcome Marnie

...Kelly and her daughter, who have a home full of cuddles for Minty and  Chuang Chuang

And lastly Mrs Gosling (Nikki) who has emailed me about Maxie.

He has gone to work in her class of 4 year olds where he's helping them to learn their jolly phonics - I know he'll be having a wonderful time and will be really proud to be doing such an important job.

Thanks everyone for the updates x

Holiday Softie awards

I'm really excited to hear that my christmas puds have been selected as finalists in the Holiday Softie Awards!

Voting ends tomorrow so if you've got a spare minute or two pop over to the voting page and see the other finalists.

You don't have to vote for me but I'll be your best friend if you do!

The story concludes...

This is the last installment in the wonderful story written by Jill. I've put a link to the full story over on the sidebar.

Julie was busy. Making jam, watching a little mouse playing in the garden, playing in the sea with her children, jumping in the waves (but she often thought of Little Cotton Rabbit and hoped she was happy!)

Little Cotton Rabbit wasn't happy. She dried her little woolly tears and said "Pink shoes, dotty dress, I'm a brave Little Cotton Rabbit knitted with love!" She tapped her toes and twitched her nose (which as you know isn't easy wrapped up in crinkly paper and tied with ribbons)

A big woolly sneeze began in Little Cotton Rabbit's twitching nose. "Ah, aah, AAAH TISHOO!" Little Cotton Rabbit's parcel began to fall.

 

"Help!" she shouted through woolly sneezes and squished up nose. "Help!" she shouted through little woolly sobs and tears.
 
BUMP! BANG! Little Cotton Rabbit's parcel fell to the floor. "OOOOHH!" whispered Little Cotton rabbit, who didn't know what was happening.

Doors opened. Little Cotton Rabbit found herself flying through the air! BUMP! Into a post van jumbled with boxes and parcels. Noisy engines with smelly smoke made Little Cotton Rabbit cough a little woolly cough.

Little Cotton rabbit sighed a little woolly sigh. She snuggled into the crinkly paper, her eyes closed......

A big basket full of giggling little cotton friends. A hug from Amy, sounds of Toby playing in the garden. What a wonderful dream! Little Cotton Rabbit smiled a special Little Cotton Rabbit smile. Dreams were wonderful.................

The Post Van went along the street.

BUMP! BUMP! BANG! Doors opened. Little Cotton Rabbit slept on.

KNOCK! KNOCK! on a door.

"OH! LOOK! It's the lost parcel!"

 
Little Cotton Rabbit woke up. She was very excited! That was Julie's voice! Julie opened the parcel and untied the paper and ribbons. There sat Little Cotton Rabbit with a very, very special Little Cotton Rabbit smile. She was a bit squashed, but safe and sound after all!

Little Cotton Rabbit tried to tell Julie all about being lost. Amy gave Little Cotton Rabbit a big hug, Toby could be heard playing in the garden (which just goes to show dreams do come true!)

Julie took a picture of Little Cotton Rabbit. "Pink shoes, dotty dress, all knitted with love" thought Little Cotton Rabbit, glad to be safe. Lots of little cotton giggles came from a basket.

"Home" said Julie "no more adventures for you!"

Little Cotton Rabbit sighed a big woolly sigh. She smiled a special Little Cotton Rabbit smile. Adventure over! (For now!)

I hope that you've enjoyed the story as much as we have at our house. It's a nice thought that it will be read around the world - it was just too good a story to keep all to ourselves! Thanks Jill x

The story continued...

I'm so glad that everyone is enjoying the story - we think it's wonderful! So without any further ado let's find out what happens next...

BUMP, BUMP. Little Cotton Rabbit tumbled down into the Post Van jumbled with boxes and parcels. Little woolly snores could still be heard if you listened very, very carefully.

Little Cotton Rabbit felt safe and happy (which isn't easy when your nose is being squished by a box!)

It was very quiet now. Little Cotton Rabbit yawned a little woolly yawn. "Where am I? America is very, very quiet" she thought. She wished and wished Julie was there.

Pink shoes, dotty dress, all knitted with love. Little Cotton Rabbit was a little bit frightened. She'd never been anywhere so quiet! Little Cotton Rabbit tried to be brave (which isn't easy when there are no woolly giggles, sniffles and snores to be heard!)

BANG. Doors opened. Little Cotton Rabbit's parcel was bounced along. Noisy engines with smelly smoke made Little Cotton Rabbit cough a little woolly cough. America waited.

Very, very soon, little cotton friends began to send e-mails to Julie. They had all arrived safely. Nothing was heard from Little Cotton Rabbit.

 
It was very, very dark in the parcel. Lots of banging and shouting made Little Cotton Rabbit give a little woolly shiver. Inside the crinkly paper Julie had so carefully wrapped around Little Cotton Rabbit, a little woolly tear began.

Little Cotton rabbit tried to shout, "Help! Help!" but without her little cotton friends no one could hear her.

"I'm a brave Little Cotton Rabbit with pink shoes and a dotty dress and Julie loves me" whispered Little Cotton Rabbit (but it isn't easy to be brave when a little cotton rabbit is all on its own!)

Very, very far away in America the lady was waiting for Little Cotton Rabbit. She emailed Julie.

"Oh, no! Our Little Cotton Rabbit is lost!" said Julie to her children. It had never happened before. A lost little cotton rabbit!!

A new little cotton rabbit was soon on its way to America and the lady loved her.
Little Cotton Rabbit was all alone.

"Pink shoes, dotty dress, I'm a brave Little Cotton Rabbit knitted with love" thought Little Cotton Rabbit (but she wished Julie was there to find her!)

BANG. Doors opened. Little Cotton Rabbit's parcel was bounced along. Noisy engines with smelly smoke made Little Cotton Rabbit cough a little woolly cough.

Little Cotton Rabbit was lost. No one knew where she was. The lady in America was happy with her new little cotton rabbit. All Little Cotton Rabbit's friends were happy in their new homes. Poor Little Cotton Rabbit. She shed a little woolly tear and gave a little woolly sniff. All alone.

(what happens to Little Cotton Rabbit? Find out in the last installment tomorrow...)

 

I want to tell you a story...

Thanks so much for all of the suggestions on grated cheese removal - it definitely looks like getting a dog would be the best solution! I shall have to start buttering up my husband! Still there will be a lot less hoovering going on now Toby is back at school and a lot more knitting and blog reading!

One of the things I am most grateful about these days is that having a blog has led to contact with some of the world's nicest people. I am regularly amazed at the warmth and generosity of people. Recently I received a wonderful story written about the adventures of the missing little cotton rabbit. Reading it for the first time left me teary (in a good way) and it is now a bedtime institution in our house - with Amy tightly cuddling the bunny that the story is about.

Jill, the autor and illustrator of this story has very kindly agreed to let me tell the story here on the blog and so over the next 3 days I will post it in installments. I'm sure, like Amy and me you will find it beautifully written, wonderfully illustrated and completely enchanting, so if you're sitting comfortably then we'll begin...

A little Cotton Rabbit Story.
Written and illustrated by Jill Westgarth

Little Cotton rabbit was waiting. "Knit me! Knit me" she thought.
All the rabbits, bears, pandas and foxes hiding in the wool were excited.

"Pick me! Pick me!" Little Cotton Rabbit wished so hard her nose began to twitch (which isn't easy in the middle of a ball of wool!)

Julie began to knit. She knitted and knitted. Very, very soon Little Cotton Rabbit had ears, eyes, a nose and a very happy smile.

"Pink shoes! Pink shoes!" Little Cotton Rabbit wished so hard her toes began to tap (which isn't easy when your shoes are being knitted!)

Julie put her clever fingers into the bag of wool.

"Dots! Dots! Polka dots!" wished Little Cotton Rabbit.

Very, very soon Little Cotton Rabbit dreams of pink shoes and a dotty dress came true!

Little Cotton Rabbit sat with all the friends Julie had knitted. They waited. It was such a special day.

"Pick me! Pick me!" Little Cotton Rabbit thought. She sat very, very still (which isn't easy when an adventure is about to begin!)

Julie looked for a rabbit to send to America.

"Pick pink polka dots!" thought Little Cotton Rabbit, "with pink shoes!" She wished so hard her nose twitched and her toes tapped (which isn't easy when you're trying to sit still!)

Julie wrapped Little Cotton Rabbit up in crinkly tissue paper and tied a beautiful bow with ribbons to keep Little Cotton Rabbit safe. Very, very carefully Little Cotton Rabbit was put into a white comfy parcel.

Little Cotton Rabbit snuggled down in her crinkly package. She tried to be brave (which isn't easy when your comfy parcel is being squashed with things called labels!)

All the little cotton friends were ready for their adventures. Little woolly giggles snuffled from the parcels as Julie left them in the Post Office. Julie felt sad. So did all the little cotton friends. "Bye" said Julie and went home. Her fingers were itching to start knitting more Little Cotton friends.

Very, very soon, little woolly snores could be heard as the friends fell asleep. The Post Office worked hard to send all the parcels on their way.

Little Cotton Rabbit wasn't asleep. What was America? What would it be like? Little Cotton Rabbit was very, very excited.

"Bye Julie" she said in a little woolly voice. Pink shoes, dotty dress, how happy Little Cotton Rabbit was (which is easy when you've been knitted with love!)

(to be continued tomorrow...)

mice welcome!

Anyone got any mice that they don't want? They'd find a warm welcome here and would save me from having to hoover 18 times a day! Toby is currently having 2 inset days from school and is in a major grated cheese phase. Cubes and lumps don't satisfy and coarse grated doesn't pass muster - only finely grated, easy-to-drop-all-over-the-floor cheese will do!

I know that all kids have food fads but in autistic kids this is often taken to extremes. We've had the 'only eating milky bar buttons' phase (and then only if they are perfectly round - any irregularity discarded), the mini cheddar biscuit phase (again discarding any with broken edges or an irregular shape), the custard cream phase (ditto if not perfectly sandwiched together) and the banana (only if cut into 3 equal parts) phase. How I long to be able to cook a meal and have all 4 of us sit together at a table and eat the same thing - it's a small dream of mine and a work in progress!!

Roll on wednesday!

a flippin' good week!

Although I love my children deeply I do get a lot of pleasure from the peace that reigns when they are happily back at school! I know I'm lucky that both of them really enjoy going and I'd certainly not be at all content if I thought they were unhappy to be there. But having them back at school means more time for lots of lovely knitting which in itself makes for a good week. This week in particular has been transformed into a great one mainly through some genuine and deeply thoughtful acts of kindness. The first of these came from the lovely Maddy who sent such a sweet parcel for Mum and included some wonderful books for the children and me

I got a lovely, lovely card from Esme (Rose's Mum) thanking me for auctioning the bunny

And then yesterday this wonderful cornucopia of treats arrived from Pat and Doug. Everything they sent has been so thoughtfully and perfectly chosen and I couldn't wait to get my mitts on the wool (I wonder what it says about me that I started on the wool 15 minutes before I started on the chocolate - and I do love chocolate?!)

To top off a perfect week I spotted Herbert Sherbert rooting around the garden 2 nights ago. He's been eating his food every night and pulling in more of the hay that I've left scattered around outside his house but because we keep very different waking hours I've not actually seen him since his release. This is his little house now, all covered in leaves and snuggly.

So if you add all of this up you get a very happy me indeed. Wishing some smiles and good times to come your way this weekend