About me & my knitting...

Hi and welcome to my blog. I'm Julie - wife, mum of 2 and knitter. Our son is severely autistic and so life is a real rollercoaster ride.

I trained as a graphic designer and since graduating I've worked as an illustrator, in sales & marketing and more recently as full-time mum and part time knitter. When I was 9 my Mum and Gangan taught me to knit and I've never really stopped. I knit to stay sane, express my creativity, to make some money for life's little luxuries (like shoes and tea-cups) and simply because I love it.

Up to now I have supplied my work to several London shops and gift businesses including The Cross, Hope & May, Gibbs & Ward, London Mummy, Lily May and Mahar Drygoods. I currently sell the things I make through my Etsy shop.

All the items that I create are knitted to my own original designs and made from all new materials (merino wool, pure cotton, cashmere, silk and alpaca) in the finest branded yarns from Rowan, Jaeger, Sublime, Debbie Bliss, Ecoknits and Blue Sky. The stuffing I use is a high grade carded polyester filling which conforms to British standards: cleanliness BS 1425 and fire safety BS 5852. It is a suitable component of articles requiring BS 5665 and the European standard EN71 and those required to carry the CE logo. There are no detachable small parts or sharp edges on any of my items.

However, they have not been certified by an independent testing laboratory and so do not carry a European standard CE mark. It also may be possible for small fingers to tease out stuffing which could potentially be a choking hazard. For this reason they are intended as decorative and/or collectable items and are not intended as toys for children under 14.

A little bit about me:

I like the quiet life. I like listening to music - Ludovico Einaudu on a sunny Sunday morning, Nick Drake when it's raining or I'm down and Jack Johnson when I feel full of life and want to dance with the kids. I like drinking tea from a nice cup, eating and cooking good food; homemade cake, cold rhubarb crumble, goat cheese, tomatoes and I like wine.

I like being outdoors, especially the smells (mushroomy earth, cut grass and thyme) and sounds (birdsong and the wind in the trees). I like hills and woods, camping and the sound of rain on your tent when you're warm & dry inside. I like knitting, singing when I'm happy, reading other people's blogs, warm socks and I love my kids.

Comments

[Smaranda Popescu]

What a pleasure to find your blog! I like your creations and the way you pick the little drops of beauties in this life. I'll be back.
Sma

[Starry]

Hello.
I really like your site so I thought I would comment. I myself have recently taken up knitting again. My only problem is not being able to find good quality wools! Being disabled I can't really travel very far very often and mail order just seems a tad impersonal. I'd love to know you're favourite wool shops and or sites. Though I'm not too sure where you are from.
Happy Knitting!
Starry

[lucy]

Hi Smaranda,

Just discovered your weblog and I am in love with your animals. They are sooo cute.
I have an autistic daughter too! she is 13!

[Katie]

hi ive already left a comment, but i love these rabbits! id love to send 1 to my sis! shes in the navy currently in iraq! think it would cheer her up! x

[Maureen]

Wouw, what a lovely animals you make....in all the nice colors.
I think I'm in love :o)
I'm glad I came by, so I put you blog to my favorites.....

With love,
Maureen

[Sophie]

I really like the bunnies that you make. They are beautiful! Did you make the 'pattern' up yourself? I'm trying to make one at the moment - it's a challenge. Hehe!

[Wendy]

Hi
This is the second time I have visited your site. I am just blown away with your great creations.I will continue to visit to see any new creations with great excitment.
Wendy

[jenny]

came across your site before christmas and just love it. had such fun knitting the little christmas stockings and am eagerly looking for more patterns and ideas to enjoy. well done

[Jane Dias]

My prayers are with you and your family. What a gentle spirit you have. I would like to be more like you. I love your knitted animals.
Jane Dias
USA

[ingrid iversen berland]

Hello.
That was some lovely knitting you have designed.

But my question is do you sell the pattern of toys.?

I would love to buy a copy, and use it in my knittingclub. Maybe I can get them to knit to babies in hospital? Hope you will have time to answer. Sincerely Ingrid in Norway

[Esther martin]

see e-mail

[Dittepigen]

I believe you are a beautiful human being..I really love your work and felt so happy when I saw your blog. I saw the stamps at Funky kits, but those stamps are real fury animals - it's a dream come true.

[yvonne carter]

I have just found your website and have started reading your web blog. I will definetly be re visiting to keep up to date. The animals you have knitted are a delight, do you sell the patern?as I would love to have a go at knitting them. I have started knitting again few months ago after a break of a few years. I have started knitting toys for my work raffle and to give to my childrens school for their raffles, that's when I've finished them! I found your site via a knitting magazine with the cute easter eggs pattern.
Warmest regards Yvoone

[Barbara Preedy]

How delightful to see your hard work. I have started knitting again after a lapse of 3o years or so. My daughter (37) is expecting twins and its been a rough time for her and her husband. To keep my mind off the worries I am knitting toys and animals from old and new pattens. I had forgotton the joy of completing an item and proudly showing her.I pray my work will soon be on display in a lovingly decorated nursery.
Kind regards , expectant nana

[deborah almond]

All your charactars are simply beautiful, What a pleasure to see such individual artistic talent working from the heart & soul.. Do you sell your treasures?

kind Regards
D

[Erin]

As I've said before, you are so absolutely talented and I can hardly wait to start my collection of your beautiful toys. I don't have children...just a Chihuahua - but, I love your toys for decorating for holidays and the like. I still have my favorite Teddy Bear from when I was a child. Have you ever thought about doing a Chihuahua? I could send you pictures. Let me know! You rock!

[Jane Hoggart]

Hello and Happy Easter

I was actually looking for a patchwork web site and found you, I was seduced by the Little Cotton Rabbits. This is the first time that I have ever responded to a blog. Your site is lovely, I get the feeling that I will visit often. I haven't knitted anything in ages but I can't wait to have a go at your Christmas stockings ( yes I know it's far too early ). I have never knitted any kind of toy but your lovely ones give me itchy fingers, I would now love to have a go. My Nana taught me how to knit when I was 4 years old, I have a very clear memory of it. I have very recently retired at 60 so I just might pick up my needles again.
Kindest Regards, I'll be back
Jane

[Elena]

Hi, You have a delightful blog!. And your work is absolutely gorgeous. I'm not a knitter but I love your creations.
Ciao, Elena :)

[andrea]

hello,
congratulations!
i´m from brazil and i loved your blog, your creations. i feel that what you do you do with so much love.
thanks
andrea

[tamara mathias]

Hi
Do you sell the patterns at all, i especially like the new bunny in mohair.
Tamara