tag from Shawn Mary

A couple of weeks ago Shawn Mary tagged me and as usual it has taken me ages to take it up (sorry Shawn Mary). Anyway, here's what she asked me and Molly at Molly's knitted teddybears -

1)  How does your creative process begin?

I knit every day when the children are at school and I often ponder what I'm going to work on when I'm walking back home from dropping Amy at school. It's pretty erratic really and completely on a whim - some days I want to just knit clothes, others it's rabbits, or cakes etc. and it often changes from day to day. Sometimes ideas pop into my head at strange times like the middle of the night when I'm up with Toby or I might be doing my weekly shop and see someone's clothes which inspire a certain combination of colours. I jot notes on various bits of paper and keep them in a file with scraps of boden catalogues and magazine clippings.

2) Do you start and finish one toy at a time, or do you tend to start multiple pieces for multiple ones and end up with lots of "parts"?

I'm a really messy worker and very rarely work on a toy from start to finish without at least starting several other things. I have lots of bags of bits stashed away! I'm particularly impulsive when I get a new yarn and will immediately drop what I'm working on to start knitting up something in a yarn that's new to me. It's embarassing to admit but I get quite excited by new yarns and I end up stalking my favourite on-line yarn sites in the early spring and autumn watching for the new season's colourways to become available (OK, I know I should get out more!)

3)  When it comes to clothes, do you knit these before you know who will wear them or does the finished face dictate what you will knit?

A bit of both. I often knit the clothes first and then make a toy to suit them but sometimes as the character of the toy emerges I get a picture of what kind of clothes I want to dress them in. Once the face is complete I usually know whether the toy is a girl or a boy and if I'm ever in doubt Amy always acts as my quality controller and makes the decision for me!

4)  Have you ever knitted one and after completion, just couldn't bear (ha, ha) to part with it?

I do have my personal favourites but I've never decided to keep any of them although I do have 'the one that came back' sitting right next to my computer as my lucky mascot!

She's special as she travelled to America, failed to get delivered and 6 weeks later ended up back here and she inspired a very special story wonderfully written by Jill.

Comments

[Martine]

Love to know a little bit more about you! Thanks for all your answers! And Shawn Marie, thanks for asking Julie!

Julie, do you ever experience what I have sometimes with my dolls; when I am sad, I am not making the eyes and mouth, because my dolls look sad too. When I am happy, they look happy too;-)

And love to see Cheddar(or Lodewijk)sitting next to the rabbit who came back, he looks very happy with his friend:-)

[Raynor]

Oh Julie I would love to have a good rummage around in amongst all those toys and clothes, they all look so fantastic and just waiting to start their little adventures. And don't worry i get excited when i get new yarn too (shh don't tell anyone!).
Raynor x

[Rachael Rabbit]

Your process looks so organized ... your bunnies really are simply the best thing out there!

[Diana]

I think it's like knitting anything we've all got more than one and sometimes way too many projects going at once. I can see though with your little babies that you match parts as you see them 'fitting' together to make that special personality. I love your work.

[Rachael Rabbit]

... and by 'thing' I really mean - beautifully knitted softies filled with bundles of bunny delight. 'Thing' ... what was a I thinking! ;-)

[KnittingKnutty]

I hate to bother you but I tried to buy your pattern on Etsy and it said "sold out". I was wondering if you were going to selling your bunny and or Monkey pattern again? I just love them.

[Kitty]

That was really interesting - thank you for sharing! x

[Caroline B]

That was interesting, I love to know about other people's creative process especially as I'm so disorganised! By the way, you have another mention in Simply Knitting magazine, regarding your eggs & giving your blog address, so prepare for even more visitors!

[Hazel]

Oh what an interesting read Julie, and I love the story written by Jill :) It's always nice to have an insight into the person behind the blog, etsy, flickr etc, especially when they are creative.
Your knitted animals are adorable.
Hazel

[Rebecka]

Julie,
I always enjoy reading your blog. Great answers to the questions. I love the story about the bunny who came to America and I would keep her too!! I am glad my special bunny made it all the way here. I love her. Thanks always for sharing.
-Rebecka and Iris the bunny
Lincoln, Nebraska

[periwinkle]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has @bits@ all over. Glad the herbert has a friend!
Lisa x

[Angelika]

It's interesting to see your precious friends in porgress and all the different parts and clothes to go with it. You are so very creative.

[Kenny]

My heart always gets going faster and my hands start fiddling when I see your pictures of clothes and little softies- I will do a complete backflip with no hands the day you give your patterns out or write a book with them in it- you could sell millions of copies! Actually, I dream about it all night! The pattern is so complete and not fuddly pudgy looking like EVERY OTHER pattern I see. I am planning to hold out until that blessed day- hopefully I live long! I dont even think that anyone could pull it off to even come close to your bunnies! Oh PLEASE! OH PLEASE OH PLEAAASSSEEEEEE Think about selling your pattern!!!??? I think I will go grimince at a make-as-i-go bunny I am trying to make up..... oh! but I am not copying you, I promise! It is a fat bunny... a mix of patterns from different books. :)

[KnittingKnutty]

OK I am embarrassed I see now you do have more patterns for sell. I got a few just awhile ago. When I was talking about the monkey pattern I meant the one you use as your profile...That thing is tooooo cute. okay.....now all the rest of my comments will be nothing but oooohs and ahhs and a lot less begging. I promise.

You really are so creative and you can tell that each of your little ones are made with so much love for your craft and them. Have a great day.

[Cindy]

Dear Julie,
I just wanted to let you know that Penelope and Pepito arrived in fine shape....and I must say, they were worth the wait. Your attention to detail is amazing. The knitting is wonderful and the photo stickers, bead on the tag, personalized thank you note and adorable wrapping are the cherries on the top.
Thank you again and sign me up for the next go-round!!
Hugs from USA,
Cindy

[Shawn Mary]

I just knew your answers would be great!

I LOVE the picture of the clothes. I have never seen a color combination on your toys that was anything less than perfect.

[Danielle]

What a really really wonderful and interesting post, your answers where so enjoyable to read! And I LOVE the pics of the clothes too. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks about knitting all the time ;)

[alison]

I really enjoyed reading about your creative process. And the glimpses of all the WIP. Fab

[frazzy dazzles.]

Oh Julie....seeing those pictures of your little babies in progress makes my heart leap...I might just own a little cotton rabbit one day!

I loved reading your answers to the tag. Thecreative process can be an elusive things sometimes. You verbalised it so well. Cheers - Jen

[charlie p]

I just love seeing all the bits of bunny/panda/pig and their little jumpers all together. The colours you use are beautiful too :)

[dragonfly]

What a lovely insight into the world of Little Cotton Rabbits. I love the photo of all the little clothes!

[Molly's Knitted Teddy Bears]

Julie--it was so nice to read your answers to Shawn Mary's questions. I had a hard time trying to describe how I approach making my teddy bears since I don't feel that there's much of an approach, I just follow how I feel each day. And I love the pictures you took to show your readers the many steps of your rabbit-making process.

Have a great day.

[jill]

Lots of textile lovlies. Thank you for sharing! (And for remembering)

[Willow]

I enjoyed reading this tag as I love knowing how people create and how their minds work.

I have so many ideas in my head and I 'think' I'll remember them, but so often they're 'lost'. Maybe I should make myself notes and stick them in a file with Crate and Barrel catalog pages (I love their colors and styles).

[Debs]

Thanks for sharing. I can't help feeling sorry for the headless bunnies! Deb x

[Maddy]

I so love the box of bits, especially the little girl in her red shoes and knickers waiting for her dress, gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the process with us, it’s fascinating to see them all start off as bits and bobs and end up little characters.

[lina]

I love the little wardrobe of clothes all laid out and was tickled to hear you mention the Boden catlogue. I always thought your creations were very stylish - I can see the connection now!

[Micayla]

Ummmm... You are on Etsy?! Please tell me where! I would love to look you up and buy some stuff and patterns.. can someone help me?

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

That was a really lovely post Julie - your creating style sounds similar to mine - I'm always starting new things when I'm inspired by a new fabric or design!

thanks for sharing it with us!

Lucy x

[Suzie Sews]

Lovely post I love finding out all these 'purls' of information.
Hope you have a good half term
Suzie

[erna]

lovely story!!

[linda]

oh Julie this story by Jill is adorable the paintings superb!!! I loved it so much

[JOANNA]

me encantaría comprarte la coneja (bunny) Sofi porque mi hija se llama así y adoro tus juguetes, ¿como podría hacer? vivo en españa seria posible? gracias