Word on a wing

Here's a new bird knitting pattern - I'm very pleased with this one. It's a dove of peace and like all my patterns, it's knitted in the flat on 2 needles. I think these might be the best wings I've knitted to date - they are double-sided so can easily be posed up or down, and the whole project is a nice, simple knit. The pattern is available as a download from my Etsy shop!

The dove is an ancient symbol of peace and love in many cultures - hope these knitted doves spread a little more peace and love into your world. I'm also hoping that people will knit these white doves as an alternative to releasing the real thing at weddings or funerals (so many of the released birds end up attacked by predators or in shelters as they are unable to fend for themselves after release).

You can download your dove pattern instantly, from Etsy.

Under the mistletoe

Mr Knitted Pheasant is waiting under the mistletoe for a queue of ladies to arrive...

Knitted Birds for Christmas

There's still time to order a copy of my book Knitted Birds, if you're looking for the perfect Christmas present for the knitter in your life! It contains over 30 different bird knitting patterns, along with nests and eggs. Maybe if you give it as a Christmas present the lucky recipient might knit you a bird or two in the new year? 

It's available directly from my blog, or from my Etsy shop, or you can buy it in all good bookshops (although if you buy one from me, I can sign it for you, for an-extra special present idea). 

Cardinal

Here's a festive - looking northern cardinal! He's one of my new designs so the pattern isn't available yet (it currently only exists as some mysterious notes in my fancy notepad, which is technically known as "phase one" of pattern making). They are such beautiful birds - that red is just stunnning. Now all we need is a dusting of snow so I can take some really wintery photos... (I live in the mildest part of England so please don't hold your breath!)

Seagull and the stars

Knitted seagull getting a bit confused about a vintage map of the sky for December (it's upside down, gulls aren't great at stuff like this...) If you'd like to knit one, the knitted seagull pattern is in my Etsy shop (this one doesn't have the optional wire legs but the pattern comes with full instructions if you want to add them).

WWT Arundel Discover Birds weekend

I'm going to be at the WWT Arundel Wetlands Centre on 21st November, taking part in their brilliant Discover Birds day - I'll be there from 2-4pm on Saturday so come along and say hello and meet me and the knitted birds! I'll be knitting woolly wildfowl and signing copies of my book Knitted Birds, which is available in the WWT Arundel shop.

I'm so happy to be taking part in this event, as WWT Arundel was the inspiration for many of my knitted birds, including the kingfishers below.

There are going to be walks, talks, craft sessions and activities for all ages at Arundel WWT on 21st and 22nd November. Hope to see you there!

Chris Packham!

Well this was very exciting - thank you Chris Packham for tweeting about my knitted woodcock! I'm hoping to have the knitting pattern for this woodcock available very soon (it's not in my Knitted Birds book as this is one of the projects I've been working on since it has been published). This autumn I have really enjoying sitting down and knitting some of our native birds that for me, reflect the spirit and colours of the season.