Just popping in to show-and-tell you what I’ve been up to lately . . .
The designer responsible for all those wee creatures I‘ve knit over the past few years (you know, the mice, bears, raccoons, turtles, mole, sheep who’ve shown up here from time to time) released a new pattern a few months ago, and I tried for a while, but truly, Resistance Was Futile.
I mean, was leftover sock yarn (bunny on the right) ever deployed more charmingly?
And since the Nibbles Siblings (that’s the name of Cinthia Vallet’s irresistible pattern) are small and work up quickly (admittedly, you need to be a reasonably experienced knitter — knitting in the round on small needles; short rows; picking up stitches — but it’s all stocking stitch and the instructions are brilliantly clear). . . and since I have three grandchildren with birthdays in March and April . . . .
You can find out more about Cinthea’s little (5 inches — so cute!) bunnies (and their clothes! oh, they have delightful wardrobes — next on my list) on Substack, where she’s posted a newsletter about them, complete with a plethora of photos. (This is not an ad, but so many times after I’ve posted about the little guys I knit, I get asked for the pattern — so, in anticipation, I’m sending you to the source š Plus the photos and the little background stories Cinthea writes about her little creatures are so charming.)
And should you head over to Substack, you could stop by my place where I’ve posted an account of the planning that went into my extended travels of last summer and fall (or the lack of planning, some might say).
Here’s an excerpt from that Substack Post
For a while, we even considering buying a small cottage in a quaint village conveniently supplied with train service to Rome . . . or maybe a neat little apartment . . . if Covid hadnāt stopped all plans for nearly two years, maybe that would have happened. But so many complications, predictable bureaucratic and legal hassles that weāve let that idea fade away (lit up, occasionally, by an Instagram post about āaffordable dream homes in Italyā).
But Iād started thinking about experiencing ex-pat life on a temporary basis. My Italian is pretty decent after years of Saturday-morning classes, and Paulās got the basics via Coffee Break Italian and Duolingo. As well, weād been thinking of doing something special to mark our 50th anniversary, and an extended stay in Italy? That would definitely qualify.
So when the owner of a B&B we stayed in a couple of years ago suggested that we might be interested in renting her two-bedroom apartment in Rome for a few months, we bit. Her B&B is about 90 minutes by train from Rome; the apartment (10-minute walk from Borghese Gardens) was her home (with husband and now-grown daughter) for years. She didnāt want to rent to someone who would want to live in it for years in case that daughter might move back to Rome at some point. Neither did she want a continual series of short-term renters she would have to vet.
But of course, it was never going to be that easy . . . you’ll have to pop over to Substack to read the rest, but honestly, that’s easy to do and while I’d be happy to have you subscribe (it’s free, and that way, you won’t miss future posts), you can read without doing so.
Meanwhile, Bunnies and I will be here. They’ll be growing, perhaps discovering new friends, maybe acquiring some clothes. . . I will be knitting, and I’m also working on my Annual Book List. Plus I’ve been snapping some What I Wore posts of me in winter gear, indoors and outdoors, so Books will be followed by OOTDs and perhaps there’s a sketchbook opening its pages there as well . . .
Lots of rabbit holes to pop down, always. . .
Now, what say you?
xo,
f
What a busy January you are having, and those bunnies are delightful. Subscribing to your work on Substack via the app has enabled me to explore more excellent writing on that platform, which has brought me much pleasure. Thank you for the nudge in that direction. You seem to be writing and posting more frequently here and on Substack. Did you expect that, I wonder?
Author
You’re welcome, Maria, although it’s possible it may just be too much of a good thing! I’m just beginning to think of how I’ll want to manage my teimte there — and you’re absolutely right that I am currently writing and posting more than usual between the two platforms. I didn’t quite anticipate the intensity, but I did know I wanted there to be some different material at each site as well as some shared, during a transitional period, at least. Not sure quite where I want to end up yet, so I’m keeping my options open and that seems to mean a bit more work for now. Very good question!
There is a birthday in the extended fmily coming up in February, so I have started my first little mouse. So sweet with her rosy nose an pink paws. (That is about as far as I’ve got.)
Preparing for a move, therefore there is no time for book lists. Culling is the priority at the moment.
Author
Is the mouse a Cinthea Vallet pattern? I’ve only knit two of those, and not for a few years, but very sweet, yes!
I hope this is a good move for you — I remember the last one (or at least the one from your lovely garden) was not at all welcome. (and my sympathies on the book-culling!)
Yes, it is Sadie Souris. Just as delightful as the Tsu Tsu Bear.
Author
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What a welcome bit of sweetness on this cold morning. When I was much younger I would occasionally begin a project, hooking a rug, knitting something but would loose interest or patience. My father in his later years on the other hand took up needlework to keep his hands flexible.
Author
Handwork, especially with textiles, is not for all personalities, although it can also be a question of beginning with the right project, with techniques that match our abilities with just enough challenge. Back in the day, we didn’t always get that and many have experienced frustration.
How great that your father was able to take up needlework (cross-stitching? needlepoint? embroider? I’m curious now) for the benefit of hand flexibility — I wonder if he experienced its other benefits as well (calming, aesthetically pleasing, etc.)
he took up embroidery, even made a sampler. my dad was also the go to for taking up hems and such for the family and actually did most of the cooking. My Irish father became a pretty good Italian cook!
Author
Sounds like a lovely man!
As a gardener , Iām not a fan of bunnies but Iāll make an exception for these . Gorgeous . Iām gradually groping my way round substack & finding it surprisingly interesting . Just not sure how much time I want to spend on the net . I sort of ignore TikTok & Instagram & most bloggers but substack seems to have more substance ? Weāll see , itās early days .
Author
I’ve never had the problem of bunnies in a garden (plenty of deer for many years, though!) — there was a burrow or two they’d file in and out of underneath my university office building, and I had a window almost directly above. They’re undeniably cute as little ones, but also undeniably hungry š
Yes, so much good material on Substack — Time management is going to be a factor. . .
The bunnies are too sweet. Your grandchildren must love receiving one of your creations. I tend to keep to simple scarves, my knitting skills being very limited, but never dismiss the idea of producing a bunny so adorable.
I hope to get over to Substack soon to read about your travel planning. It was quite a trip.