This week I've had a lot of fun making some teeny toys for the little cotton rabbits. So much so that I thought you might like to have a go too.
So I've written up a free pattern which you can find here. It's a bit fiddly and is probably an evening's work but they are fun to make and at our house they are proving very popular, as you can see...
Honey loves her little bunny - she's named him Pip and she never goes anywhere without him!
This week is MS awareness week and Verity here is hoping to help Anna raise some money. She'll be auctioned off on saturday night together with lots of other wonderful crafts, but if you'd like to lodge a bid for her you can email Anna by visiting scrapping tonight.
Did you know that the 2nd annual softie awards have just started taking entries?
It's not too late to get softie making and enter your own (closing date is April 18th). Full details can be found here on Softies Central but in short there are 5 categories and anyone can enter an originally designed softie. I've started thinking about mine and have a few works in progress that I hope to have finished over the coming week.
Why not take a look at the entries so far and get making yours? Good luck everyone and have fun softie making!
Thanks so much for the lovely comments on the previous post. The 'Holland' piece has obviously been a source of comfort for a lot of people - I'm certainly very glad it was written. Thanks too for sticking around while I was 'off blog'. I'm up to date with my paperwork now, which is a nice feeling, however fleeting!! I even managed to squeeze in some knitting time - not toys but a pair of Eunny Jang's wonderful Endpaper mittens.
Taking this break from knitting toys has given me a bit of breathing space to consider where it has all evolved to. For the last year I've been going at the toy knitting like there's no tomorrow, but of course there is and this knitting pace is not sustainable if I want to continue to enjoy what I'm doing. For me, that is the one true aim - making the toys is my 'thing' and definitely an antidote to raising a severely autistic child.
Since starting this blog I've had so many lovely comments about the
things I make, all of which I deeply appreciate and treasure and I
guess I felt that I owe you all an explanation and an apology for the
current lack of toys. So I'm sorry that there will be no Little Cotton
Rabbits for Easter this year. Instead I'm building up a stock which
will mean that there will always be a slow and steady trickle going
into my shop even if I have a knitting break now and then.
I've also been pondering my patterns again but I'm not ready to release any yet so I've put a new link to some toy patterns from other designers - including Ysolda Teague who designs toys with the most beautiful shaping and Fuzzy Mitten who has a great range of different creatures. See the list below on the left (I'll add more in future).
It's not all bad news from here though - Edgar and his friends are waiting in their box (in fact they keep trying to break out!) and will pop into the shop in early April and I'll aim to have a new batch every 4 - 6 weeks following that (barring school holidays of course!).
Also this is my 199th post and so in keeping with tradition I'm having a giveaway in the next post - a chance for someone to win a Little Cotton Rabbit of their choice. To enter the draw please pop back and leave a comment on the next post.
"I saw a mouse,
Where?
There on the stair
Where on the stair?
Right there.
A little mouse with clogs on
Well, I declare
Going clip, clippity clop on the stair..."
Ok, so he doesn't have clogs on and he is only a prototype, but you get the idea!
Lyrics from 'A Windmill in Old Amsterdam' by Ronnie Hilton, 1965 which is one of my favourite childhood songs along with Mungo Jerry's 'Pushbike song' and Flanders & Swann's Hippopotamus Song "mud, mud, glorious mud..." Ah, memories!!
Colour is such an important influence on mood and since this winter has been pretty dull and there's not much colour out in the garden just yet I thought I'd gather up some of the yarn I'm currently knitting in and stick it in my lovely new basket from Snapdragon (they have some gorgeous things and Jane has a lovely blog). Although it's making me feel cheery, H is not all that impressed with my spring yarn display - he says it makes the living room look like a wool shop - yep, good isn't it?! Sadly for him he remains unseduced by appeal of yarn and doesn't understand that you can never have too much of it!
I hope there's some sunshine in your weekend!
I've always thought of myself as good at keeping secrets but there is something I've been sitting on since the end of last year and I can't keep it a secret any longer or I'm going to burst!
Since starting this blog I've been overwhelmed at the response to my little knitted toys and I'm completely thrilled that they are popular because it means that I can continue doing what I love and what soothes my soul rather than going back to work in an office (which did not soothe my soul one iota!) Anyway, shall I get to the point?
Little cotton rabbits are becoming stamps!! The talented team at Sugar Nellie are in the process of creating a set and you can get a sneaky preview here of Dexter and Winifred.
Sugar Nellie's blog will keep you up to date on the range (and their other exclusive stamps) and hopefully a little later this month they'll be available to buy.
It's very exciting to think of the little cotton rabbits popping up on cards and scrapbooks - I can't wait to see what people create with them!
...Edgar
who is feeling a little shy because he's the new kid in town. The little cotton rabbits are all friendly though, and I know you are too so I'm sure he'll be fine!
First take some good quality yarn (here I've used some Sublime organic cotton)
pour into bowl and stir vigorously to encourage lumps
shape, place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at gas mark 3
et voila!
Oh I wish it was that easy! Here's the evidence though that there is some bunny production going on in these here parts! And the bunnies have a new friend too, so if you're around early next week pop back and meet him. Happy weekend all!
The wintery dark may be getting me down but looking ahead and thinking of the warm and fragrant days of spring is a good way to get through this gloomy bit of the year! So I've been looking ahead to Easter and have written up a free pattern for my knitted easter eggs.
You can find it alongside some new charts for knitted letters and some older free patterns. If you knit up the eggs, drop me a line and let me know how you get on.
It's funny how out of sync my knitting is these days. Back in the summer when the sun shone and there were green and glossy leaves on the trees, I sat in the garden and knitted little nordic jumpers and christmas stockings. Now in the dark and dingy days of January I'm snuggled up here busy with egg cosies and knitted easter eggs! Maybe it will help to bring spring early - I better get cracking!
...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.
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 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.
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!
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)
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!
Whenever I'm worried about something I find sinking my needles into a large ball of wool to be the best way of keeping my mind off the worrying thing. So this last week, what with Mum in hospital, there has been a lot of knitting going on!!
I'm finishing off some toys for Mahar Drygoods, a batch for my own shop and a the rose jumper is for a big bunny that I'm hoping to auction off to raise money for a special little girl who needs some specialised treatment in America - more of that by the end of the week.
I won't be sad to see the back of this week, which has been a much wilder rollercoaster ride than usual. We've had the highs of little people's birthdays and the lows of terrible accidents. Just quickly to mention my Mum has now had an operation to fit a 'halo' (I always knew she was an angel!) which is a metal frame anchored to her skull and going all the way down to the small of her back to prevent her from moving her head at all. Hopefully with this in place she should be able to start sitting up from early next week and start the long, slow and painful process of recovery.
This week has left me feeling a bit weary but my spirits have been lifted by all of the wonderful supportive comments that you've left both here and on private emails - it means a lot to know that there are people out there sending good thoughts to my poor wonderful Mum. Thanks too for all of the birthday wishes for both of the children. Toby had fun with some helium balloons yesterday (his favourite pressie) and of course he enjoyed cake!
The week is ending on a high note though. Now that the postal strike has finished I've had some lovely mail.
I've been enjoying all of the treats and delights that arrived in this package from Kat at Secrets of a Butterfly. She sent such a pretty bone china cup saucer and plate (I added the tea and muffin!) and some much appreciated cath kidston goodies but my favourites are the beautiful and intricate cards which she makes.
Then this wonderful and thoughtful surprise arrived yesterday with a very beautifully worded and apt note all the way from Kim in Australia. It's such a perfect handcrafted bag for keeping my 'work in progress' bunnies in and I know they'll dream happier thoughts of what exciting lives await them while they nestle together in here...
Lastly in the post today came a brand new, just launched magazine - Let's Knit which I couldn't wait to open because not only is it stuffed full of patterns, features and yarn reviews but I'm in it too!! If you squint at this picture you can just make out my smiling face (I'm too shy to show it bigger!) and 2 of my toys.
It's a really nice article about me and my work and it's great timing as I'll take a copy to show Mum when I visit over the weekend.
So, I'm going into the weekend with a smile on my face, thanks so much for your friendship and support in a difficult week xxx
I'm a great one for impulsive yarn buying - I see something I like and have to get it without having any idea of how I'm going to use it (don't tell H!). Sometime last year I spied some gorgeously soft Debbie Bliss Cashmeriono Astrakhan in a beautiful smokey duck eggy kind of colour and I just knew I had to have some. You'd think I'd stand there, check the yardage and ponder over how many balls but no, I grabbed 2 and they were mine!
So when I finally get out my needles (a year or so later) and start knitting up a simple scarf all seems fine - until I run out of wool and end up with a scarf that is way too short to be worn how I like (folded in half with the ends pushed through the loop). So some serious thinking was needed to save this scarf from being consigned to the bottom of the wardrobe and then a inspiration struck in the form of a button!
With a little bit of gathering and the attaching of a big antique mother of pearl jobbie I'm now happy to wear it (and it goes perfectly with my gorgeous Kirstencan corsage). And the morale of the story - plan your project before you buy your yarn (yeah, like that's going to happen!). Happy weekend all!
I may have said goodbye to a hedgehog yesterday but my garden is still popular with the local urban wildlife. Just after breakfast this morning I looked out and spotted two foxes frolicking in the autumn leaves!
Maybe Herbert has spread the word about this garden having a good source of munchies. I don't expect them to stick around for long though - these two will probably be travelling via royal mail as they'll be popping up in my shop with the next batch of toys.
A quick Herbert update: he's definitely still around - I heard snuffling in the bushes late last night and this morning it looks like he's pulled some of the extra bedding I'd left scattered around into his little house.
Before I started knitting mostly toys I made quite a few cardis and jumpers for the children but it has been ages since I made anything for myself. Well, that has just changed mainly thanks to ravelry. I was so inspired by all the gorgeous knitting going over there and finding the perfect free pattern on knitty was the push I needed to rush out and buy myself some scarf yarn.
And shortly after I had this - my 'branching out' scarf in herb felted tweed.
I've really enjoyed making this scarf and I'm chuffed to bits with how it turned out. I have a feeling that I might have need to make another in a different yarn sometime soon! There is also some bunny knitting going on here but more news of that next week.
They're in the shop right now and have been getting together for a group shot before they all go their own separate ways. UPDATE: Sorry, they've all sold now.
Some of them are a little sad to be parting and getting in lots of cuddles but I'm sure they'll live happily ever after once they reach their new homes.
My feet are in heaven, gently nestled within a pair of wonderfully soft and perfectly fitting handmade socks from the lovely Lisa. Warm socks, a cup of tea and a good book - what more do you need on a lazy Sunday morning. Now I just have to convince H to take the kids somewhere for a few hours!
She also made me this dinky little sock keyring - so perfect and so cute! My feet and I thank you Lisa!
I didn't need to don my apron for these cakes. The downside is that you don't get to lick the mixture from the spoon though!
Note to Jackie at Wren's nest - your gorgeous needlecase is still getting lots of use!
Note to self: must get the iron out, hmmm I wonder where it is?!
I am so lucky to have made some wonderful new friends through this here blog. People in countries near and far, from different backgrounds, with different situations but all bound together by the same love of family and making stuff. One such friend is the talented Kirsten of Kirsten*can. We arranged a swap and lucky old me got my parcel today, so whilst the USA are celebrating their Independance day (have a great day you guys) I am celebrating the arrival of a wonderful package of delights:
Beautiful hand appliqued T shirts with a matching hairband for Amy, vintage buttons and a gorgeous felted corsage for me and for Toby a brilliant handmade mobile which he absolutely loves - thanks Princess.
We've also got American flags which we're waving for Independance day. We are lucky people in our house today. Thanks so much Kirsten!
This is my 100th post!!
And I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has left a comment or just visited here and lurked (I know you're there 'cos I watch my stats!). I get so much enjoyment from this little blog and when you visit here, you make my day!
I'd like to offer the chance for one person to win their own little cotton rabbit (or bear / panda / monkey). If you fancy taking part just leave me a comment on this post and in 1 week I'll ask my lovely assistant Amy to draw a single winner from all of the commenters.
If you need any inspiration for ideas, here are a couple of the toys I've made since I started blogging:
As I can only offer 1 free toy I've been racking my brain to think of something else to offer to everyone so I've come up with a free pattern to share. You could knit this as a decoration for a t-shirt, a tea cosy, a bag...I'm sure there are many more imaginative uses too (I've just whopped it on a T-shirt for Amy)
Many, many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment here - each comment has been eagerly read and cherished and if I've not responded I must apologise as time (and Toby) doesn't always permit. Thanks again for stopping by!
My competition is now closed to new entries, I'll be drawing the winner shortly and will post tomorrow, thanks!
My favourite program on telly at the mo is Springwatch and I've been inspired by the antics of the foxes Jamie, Mungo and the chip shop family, well, that and some gentle persuasion from Zoe!
Anyway, so far they are just prototype heads but, once I've finally sorted out ears (there are 4 different ones in these pics) and grappled with a tail I'll hopefully be able to make a full fox.
Just a quickie to say that 10 new toys have just gone into the shop.
Please meet Dottie, Ming Ming, Bartie, Minty, Monty, Diggory, Hester, Tessie, Pablo and Blossom.
Picture the scene - me slobbing around in my jammies on a lazy Saturday morning, H pottering in the garden, the children watching telly / building lego towers (according to their own preferences!). Door bell rings. It's the postman (it's OK, the postie is used to seeing me in my jammies / towel and even one time with one boobie on display - well he did ring whilst I was breastfeeding!) Anyway, he hands me a package and it's all I can do to restrain myself from hugging him. Instead I slam the door, grab the camera and scoot upstairs to savour the moment alone. What you may ask has got me so excited, have I won a years supply of chocolate / wool, is it new shoes... well, you're not going to guess so I'll tell you - IT'S A PACKAGE FROM MELLY AND ME here all the way from Australia in the record breaking time of 3 days door-to-door!!
I rip off the postal bag:
I open the beautiful handmade card and get a warm glow from reading the message. I delicately undo the wonderful red ric rac trim, and I gasp in delight at the array of goodies spread before me
Gorgeous, beautiful, fabulous bag with polka dots (love them) and my favourite colours, the cutest little bear in the world, wonderfully soft and pretty wool, beautiful cards with Rosie's quilt designs AND chocolate biscuits! Ahhhh, words fail me.
Thank you , thank you, thank you Melly and Rosie, it's all wonderful!
There's not much to write about at the moment apart from lots of knitting. I'm finishing off the toys for Mahar Drygoods (hope to have some sneak peek pictures next week) and knitting up 2 lovelies for a swap with 2 lovelies in Australia. I'm very excited about this swap as Melly and Rosie make the most wonderful things - if you don't already know their work pop over and take a look. I'm also working on 10 toys for my little shop and hope to have them ready either late next week or early the next. And finally I've made an even bigger big bunny modelled here by the lovely Amy.
If I can prise him away from her I'll be making him a jumper and he may appear in the next batch of toys for sale.
Have a great weekend everyone!
No, it's not the result of a bomb going off in a toy shop. This tangle of heads and limbs is my work in progress basket. I have been really busy knitting over the last few weeks and haven't felt much like sewing up - hence the fact I have hardly any finished toys and this rather large pile of softie carnage! I think it's time to get out the stuffing and start finishing off a few.
There are 10 little ones earmarked for Mahar Drygoods and I am hoping to have some more ready for my little shop in around 2 weeks.
If you're on my advance mailing list I'll be emailing more details when they're ready. If you'd like to be added please drop me a line.
*(no softies were harmed in the making of this post)
At last I have found the ultimate knitting needles.
Having started on chunky red plastic ones around 30 years ago, graduated to metal, experimented with bamboo, flirted with brittany birch and lusted after art viva spotty ended pins, I have found my soul mate in a set of swallows (again from the lovely Loop)
Made from casein (milk protein) these needles are disconcertingly flexible but once I worked a few rows I was hooked. They won't snap like bamboo (or at least haven't done yet - despite Toby's attempts) and are warmer and much more comfortable than my old, cold, battered aluminium ones. They also come in the prettiest of colours and so I feel justified in showing them off! Hmmm, maybe I do need just one pair of vivas...?
By the way don't you love how knitting is so wonderfully portable and so whilst I may not have a beautiful workroom I'm lucky to say that on a sunny, spring day like today this is my workspace!
I apologise if you're getting a bit fed up of pictures of yarn but (no slur intended on my wonderful husband) this does it for me!!
Colour grown organic cotton by Blue Sky in 'bone', 'sand', 'nut' and 'pebbles' (bought from the gorgeous Loop). It's incredibly soft and lovely and is patiently waiting to be turned into a set of big bunnies.
By the way, I now have a new email address so if you'd like to contact me please use julie@lcr.myzen.co.uk
I will continue to check the old email account but it may take longer for me to reply. Thanks, have a great weekend everyone!
