About me & my knitting...

Hi and welcome, I'm Julie - wife, mum of 2 and knitter. My son is severely autistic and so life is a bit of a rollercoaster ride. I write a little about our experiences in the hope of helping others in a similar situation and to give a little insight into some aspects of life with an autistic child. I also write a lot about knitting about which I'm passionate - it has helped keep me sane through some of the more difficult times with my son.

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 and simply because I love it.

Since 2005 I've supplied my knitted work to various outlets: Hope & May, Gibbs & Ward, London Mummy, The Cross in Holland Park, Lilymay in Brighton & Mahar Drygoods in the USA. I currently sell what I make through my Etsy shop and although I'm unable to take on orders I am always making new items and will keep my mailing list up to date with anything newly available. To be added to this list please just leave a comment below.

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 children. I like drinking tea from a nice cup, cooking and eating good food especially homemade cake, cold rhubarb crumble with custard, goat cheese, tomatoes and I like wine (a lot).

I like being outdoors, especially the smells of mushroomy earth, cut grass and thyme and the sounds of 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 cosy cardis and I love being a mum.

Thanks for visiting x
....................................................................................................................

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

[Lynda]

I dearly love your blog. I have loved your mini stocking pattern and thank you for sharing it.
I worked as a school aide and then later as a school nurse. I appreciate the challenges that you and your family face.
Bless you
Lynda
Texas

[Mara]

Hola Julie, soy Mara y me encantaria que me enseñes a hacer estos muñecos, si no es molestia mandame los patrones del conejo. Gracias.

[Allison Dix]

Hi Julie
I am from Adelaide in Australia. I have 3 children who are all on the autism spectrum. I think it is fab you are doing something so positive under difficult circumstances. I find it inspirational. My children's autism has changed my life for the better. They have taught me so much - I am so grateful to them for that. They are the apple of my eye. I think your site is fabulous. I will forward the web address to a support group I am part of. I think some of them would also like your site as it may bring some sunshine to their day. Cheers Allison

[wendy stenning]

I absolutely love your cotton rabitts, i have read and re read, could I get a pattern from your site I am not sure if you say I can not.
I also love your cupcakes I have seen others but not as nice as yours.
I would appreciate a reply, because I have 5 grandsons and would love to knit them perhaps for christmas.
thank you
wendy

[simona]

Hallo Julie,
This is first time I've visited your web site. It's WONDERFUL. Your characters seem to have a soul, and cupcakes seem to eat!!!Fantastic
My name Simona and are Italian,I've 2 children and I take care myself to produce and to sell sweaters in 100%cashmere for children. I have seen your wonderful web site and I would be interested to acquire the little cotton rabbit, in particulare I like very much Angeline and the cupcakes.
I not being in a position to working to mesh I would want to buy it already done. How can I make? Or, where I can buy your products?
Thanks for Your answer and I make excuses myself for the English bad one.
Sincerely yours
Simona

[simona]

Thank you for your answer.
I like very much Angeline but i can choose the other in the stock because they are all beautiful.
Instead i prefer the pastel(I love violetpink and white), flower (for example the last photo cakes in your web site) and the chocolate cupcakes.
I need 20 cupcakes but I desire to spent 6 euro for each. Is it possible to make this price? because I will buy more objects.
Is it possible to pay with credit card?

The last question: how much is the Angeline rabbit and the others tall?
Can I have them tall around 7/10 cms?

I forgot. I would be pleased to belong to his/her mailin list and to know in advance the new characters that it will create.
thanks for this possibility

Thankyou for your cooperation.
best regard
Simona

[simona]

Dear Julie,
didn't say together 20 everybody but I desired to have at least for end November 6/8 cupcakes and and for halves December others 5/6.

Thanks for the collaboration

Cordially Simona

[Eileen in Carolina]

I just happened upon your lovely knitting blog and it was love at first sight! Our first grandchild -- a girl -- will be born any day now, and I'm knitting a wool bunny for her. And here are her kindred cotton cousins! I'm going to explore your site now, but just wanted to say thanks for the smiles.

[Renae in Michigan]

You are AMAZING! My daughter and I love the adorable projects you make--especially the animals. You have truly been given an incredible gift! Just seeing pictures of the items you make have brought us great joy. May God bring you as much joy as you have given to others. God bless you and your family.

[Gayle]

How can I purchase a bunny? I went to Etsy and you only have a cupcake pattern. Are you taking order or do I just need to keep checking Etsy?
Thank you
Gayle

[Lea]

Dear Julie,

there's so many sites about knitting and life out in the www. But yours touches my heart somewhere in the really deep. I just wanted to send you a big thank you from Berlin for brighten up my day :)
I will come back again. Thank you for sharing something you love with your readers.

[Gigner aka Beethoven]

We love reading your Blog! There are so many wonderful toys you made and we hope by bookmarking this, Mum will get to see it too and will make us a toy of two one day.

[Georgina Highfield]

Hellloo x
i just wanted to say hi :)
i really enjoyed browsing your website!
your desighns are really clever, i knitted up one of your christmasie desighns for my Grandma she taught me to knit when i was very little.
I enjoy doing it in my spair time when im not swimming lol :)
Thankyouu very much you have really inspired me loveee Georginaaa xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Vivian]

Dear Julie

I bought your pattern from Etsy last week. It was very well written. From your blog, I can tell that you have beautiful soul. I feel so blessed that I found you and your beautiful blog. Wish you the best.

[Kathleen Jean Green]

Dear Julie,

I have to agree with everyone else. God bless you,

Kind regards,

Kathleen

[Lindsey]

I'd love to be added to your list to have an opportunity to purchase one of your keepsake rabbits/animals. They are more than precious.

I have a neighbor with an autistic child and it's overwhelming to say the least. It has affected us all on the street...the stories are heartbreaking...driving down the street and finding that her daughter is riding on the roof of the car...multiple times. She has written a beautiful book of poetry about her journey with autisim and does public speaking. She and her husband are a great support resource for families and have been for many years. I hope this is an encouragement to you. http://www.livingthemosaic.com/index.htm

[Jacqi Adkins]

Just found your website whilst looking for bits to cheer up a sad friend. It is inspirational, both in context and heart. Thank you.

[Sanaz]

wonderful! wonderful! wonderful!
I can feel the life you give to these little creatures. Please keep me posted about your recent products

[Zuzana]

I love your website very much, i guess you hear it all the time though i have to say that it is very inspiring, happy making and feel good website full of the cute toys you make with such a feel for colours and good taste. I myself love knitting and art and i hope that one day i will be able to create stuff of similar quality to yours-it will be a challange though! :o) Good luck with it all!!!

[Lindsey]

Please add me to your emailing list....I'm in awe of your designs. I've done the egg cosy pattern and would like to make one of your "full" animals. Do you have a pattern? or can you give "hints" - thanks for the inspiration.

Btw, my neighbor has a 9 year old daughter with autism so I have a smidgen of an idea of your life. Her website is http://www.livingthemosaic.com/
very fitting name, don't you think.

[Patricia]

I love this blog, it is so inspiring. I'd love to be added to your mailing list! Thanks!

[Isa]

Hi Julie! I wish power to you. Great blog, so CUUUTE animals!
Greetings from Finland.

p.s. Jack Johnson is great too.

[twitter.com/KyleenBasa]

Please add me to your mailing list! Thanks! :)

[Sarah]

Please add me to your mailing list. I would love to knit Rosemary one day if you could share the pattern!

I enjoy reading your blog so much and I love your designs, the animals are absolutely adoreable.

I tried the tiny bunnies but I couldn't get them to look half as good as yours! I'll keep trying....

[Lígia Rodrigues]

Hi!
I just love your bunnies and all cute little animals!
They are so cute and cuddly, I'd love to knit them!
:-)
Please add me to your mailing list!
Thanks!
Lígia

[Brid Doherty]

I found your blog this morning when I was absolutely miserable and down about a lot of things. I have to say that it really cheered me up! It is so fabulous. I love all your little animals. They're so fabulous! Thank you so much :) x

[Karen]

Julie,

I just came across your blog while looking for craft sites and I came across yours. I have an Autistic son as well. He is seven and there is never a dull moment! I decided a few months ago that I wanted to be home with my boys and perhaps have a business from home. I just love your bunnies they are the cutest things I've seen.

[Karina]

Hello- I have been here a few times already, I've even added you to my list of blogs to follow :-).
Thanks for sharing your projects and life experiences with us!!!

Karina

[Emma]

Hi Julie
I have become entirely addicted to your gorgeous pattern for mini Christmas stockings. I am now able to make one an evening (after work and food and that stuff is out the way) and am making sets for everyone I can think of for Christmas gifts after foolishly pledging to make all our gifts this year! You are incredibly generous with your talent to offer these as free patterns - thank you. Emma

[Lara]

Hi. What a wonderful, inspiring blog. I would love to be added to the mailing list.

Thanks :)