Saturday, March 24, 2018

Meet Peter Rabbit and Cottontail Along with an Historical Australian Knitting Pattern

 Greetings everyone.  I'm writing this on beautiful Saturday morning here in southern California.  Our landscape has been refreshed from an overnight rain and it feels wonderful to see the sky dotted with clouds.

Easter is fast approaching and I again knitted some Easter bunnies for my little grandchildren.  

Please meet Peter Rabbit and Cottontail.  I made them from  Stylecraft DK yarn that I had leftover from my numerous blanket projects.  You can find the pattern and all info here on my Ravelry page. I was inspired to make these after seeing the delightful Peter Rabbit movie with my grandson.


I had the most fun embellishing their little outfits.  The patterns are free so basically this project cost me nothing other than my time.  My dear husband jokingly commented that instead of wasting my time knitting these little creatures I could have bought them for less than $5.00 each!  But, if you're a crafter, you know that it's not the money but the fun in making something and seeing your rewards.

I joined The Handmade Sock Society and I'm still working on the first pattern.  It's called Hellebore and I was so excited to see my Hellebore (Lenten Rose) blooming this year.  I think it's a perfect match to my socks.

If you're a needlework person, I'm sure you've heard of Weldons Practical Needlework which was a popular Victorian needlework magazine.  The scarf shown above is the Double Rose Leaf Pattern.  I found the pattern* in my March/April 2016 edition of Piecework magazine. But wait. . . there's more!  I knew this pattern was featured in Weldon's Practical Needlework magazine but it also was featured in the Australian Town and Country Journal on June 26, 1886.  The Town and Country Journal was a weekly newspaper out of Sydney New South Wales Australia and was in print from 1870 to 1919.  You can see a copy of the original pattern here.  I don't know about you but for me, finding this link makes this pattern very real to me.  To think that over 130 years ago, there were ladies out there knitting the same exact pattern as me!   

I love history and all things that have a story from long ago.  I've always wished I could transport myself back to those days.  Although, I don't know what I would do without my vacuum and washing machine!  ahhhh

Until next time, I wish you all the very best,

Pat

PS If you're a knitter and wish to try this pattern, please remember that "make one" means "yarn over" in this pattern.

9 comments:

  1. Oh those bunnies are adorable. I totally understand the need to make them yourself. They are so beautifully accessorized. That vintage pattern is so pretty. It is humbling to realized that others many years ago knit the same pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the little rabbits!! Wish so much I knew how to knit! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. They're so cute, I know your grandkids are going to love them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love Peter Rabbit and Cottontail, you couldn't possibly have bought them for any price because there just isn't the love knitted into them that you get with hand-knits. What does your husband know?! :) Your hellebore socks are the perfect colour, they're going to look so pretty when they're finished xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE Peter and Cottontail. Clever you! Do you know the to programme 'In the night garden'? My aunt knitted a set of Tomliboos for my granddaughter a few years ago and now my grandsons p,at with them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Arh the rabbits are so cute. I'm looking forward to seeing your finished pair of socks. The colour is suited to that particular pattern. Have a good week, Cathy x

    ReplyDelete
  7. you make such lovely things!!! I love history too and the beauty of past decades and centuries! God bless you!!! and thanks for being such a kind presence here and in comments too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for your visit and comment Pat.
    I know it will give you so much pleasure seeing your grandchildren playing with Peter and Cottontail. What do men know! Tee hee!
    I really enjoyed seeing your knitting today. In the 70’s I used to knit a lot and used to read old patterns in our local library, so yes I know exactly what you mean about the history!
    I love the colour of those cosy socks!
    Wishing you and yours a Very Happy Easter!
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, I am super impressed with your knitted bunnies for your grandchildren! I bet they adore their new toys and will treasure them forever. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear from you! Please leave a comment!