hares (large)

In folklore, hares are remarkably changeable animals much associated with the feminine, with the spring and with the moon. It is not hard to find stories of witches who are able to transform themselves into hares. But until some time in the eighteenth century it was believed by some that the hare shifted from male to female or female to male every other year. Alternatively, you may find stories telling how a female hare conceives her young by licking moonlight from the coat of the male

A female hare is also known as a Jill, and the male a Jack. Their offspring are leverets. Unlike baby rabbits, a leveret is born open-eyed and covered with fur.

This Jill with her leveret, seated on a natural wooden plinth. They are fashioned from local fleece supported by a wire armature and their coats are mixture of New Zealand and merino wool. They stand around ten inches (25.5cm) high, including the plinth.

My animals are handmade so each one is totally unique. Every piece takes many hours to complete and thousands of stabs with a tiny needle.

Please note, they are not toys and are unsuitable for small children.