I think the evidence is compelling:
* He has lived for how long????
* To get around to every child in the world, he MUST time travel
* To get all those presents into one sack, it HAS to be "bigger on the inside"
On to the reindeer - if legend is to be believed, they are the same reindeer down through the ages. I have given this some serious thought, and my conclusion is that they use the same natural laws as Tinkerbelle. They exist because they are believed in.
Which is great - in addition to their primary function as a guidance system, they also act as a power reservoir - a battery if you will (I have ALWAYS wanted to say "if you will"!). They collect the power of the dreams and wishes of those who believe in them (children mainly, but not exclusively) through thought receptors in their antlers.
Admittedly, this is all conjecture on my part. Though I prefer to call it theory, developed through thought experiments. Much like Einstein did really.
Don't stop believing!
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Friday, 18 October 2013
Curious in the snow
It has been mentioned before that my godson LOVES curious George. We were watching an episode at the weekend, where George is in the snow - he was wearing a red trapper style hat and a red scarf.
Harry said he would like a hat and scarf like George - so his fairy Godmother set to work.
Double knitting (8ply) yarn in red
4mm straight needles
4mm circular needle
THE HAT:
Ear flap:
Cast on 11 sts.
Knit 2 rows
Row 3 Knit, increasing 1 stitch each end (I used kfb) (13sts)
Row 4 Knit
Row 5 Knit
Row 6 K3 P to last 3 sts K3
**
Row 7 Knit, increasing 1 stitch each end (15sts)
Row 8 K3 P to last 3 sts K3
Row 9 Knit
Row 10 K3 P to last 3 sts K3 *
Repeat from ** to * 5 more times (25 stitches)
Cut yarn and leave sts on a holder.
Work second earflap exactly the same, but do not cut yarn
Cast on 6 sts. K across these 6 sts, K across 2nd earflap, increasing 1st at each end as before.
Cast on 24sts. K across 1st earflap, increasing 1st at each end as before. Cast on 6st. (90sts)
Join to work in the round. Place marker to mark beginning and end of each round.
Round 1 P9 K21 P30 K21 P9
Round 2 K all sts
Round 3 P8 K23 P28 K23 P8
Work a further 24 rounds in stocking stitch (in the round every round is knit)
Dec row 1: (K2tog K5 SSK) 10 times (70sts)
K 4 rounds
Dec row 2: (K2tog K3 SSK) 10 times (50sts)
K4 rounds
Dec row 3: (K2tog K1 SSK) 10 times (30sts)
K4 rounds
Dec row 4: (S1 K2tog PSSO) 10 times (10sts)
K1 round
Cut yarn. Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight and secure.
With right side facing, pick up and knit 24 sts from front edge of hat, just above the garter stitch border.
I then had to cut yarn and rejoin on the right side to continue but I am sure there is a better way!
Garter stitch straight for 16 rows.
Row 17 K1 ssk K to last 3 sts K2tog K1
Row 18 K across
repeat last 2 rows twice more (18sts)
Cast off
Secure the flap to the front of the hat with a few stitches.
Sew in ends
THE SCARF:
This was a simple sideways knit - CO 200sts. stocking stitch 4 rows, then reverse stocking stitch 4 rows. Repeat these 8 rows till wide enough!
Harry said he would like a hat and scarf like George - so his fairy Godmother set to work.
Double knitting (8ply) yarn in red
4mm straight needles
4mm circular needle
THE HAT:
Ear flap:
Cast on 11 sts.
Knit 2 rows
Row 3 Knit, increasing 1 stitch each end (I used kfb) (13sts)
Row 4 Knit
Row 5 Knit
Row 6 K3 P to last 3 sts K3
**
Row 7 Knit, increasing 1 stitch each end (15sts)
Row 8 K3 P to last 3 sts K3
Row 9 Knit
Row 10 K3 P to last 3 sts K3 *
Repeat from ** to * 5 more times (25 stitches)
Cut yarn and leave sts on a holder.
Work second earflap exactly the same, but do not cut yarn
Cast on 6 sts. K across these 6 sts, K across 2nd earflap, increasing 1st at each end as before.
Cast on 24sts. K across 1st earflap, increasing 1st at each end as before. Cast on 6st. (90sts)
Join to work in the round. Place marker to mark beginning and end of each round.
Round 1 P9 K21 P30 K21 P9
Round 2 K all sts
Round 3 P8 K23 P28 K23 P8
Work a further 24 rounds in stocking stitch (in the round every round is knit)
Dec row 1: (K2tog K5 SSK) 10 times (70sts)
K 4 rounds
Dec row 2: (K2tog K3 SSK) 10 times (50sts)
K4 rounds
Dec row 3: (K2tog K1 SSK) 10 times (30sts)
K4 rounds
Dec row 4: (S1 K2tog PSSO) 10 times (10sts)
K1 round
Cut yarn. Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight and secure.
With right side facing, pick up and knit 24 sts from front edge of hat, just above the garter stitch border.
I then had to cut yarn and rejoin on the right side to continue but I am sure there is a better way!
Garter stitch straight for 16 rows.
Row 17 K1 ssk K to last 3 sts K2tog K1
Row 18 K across
repeat last 2 rows twice more (18sts)
Cast off
Secure the flap to the front of the hat with a few stitches.
Sew in ends
THE SCARF:
This was a simple sideways knit - CO 200sts. stocking stitch 4 rows, then reverse stocking stitch 4 rows. Repeat these 8 rows till wide enough!
Monday, 9 September 2013
OOOH yum!
The grapes are now jam! Added an apple to help the set and it seems to have worked well :-)
Sunday, 8 September 2013
garden bounty
just a small part of my haul from the grape vine - not quite sweet enough to eat (need just another week of sun) but will make lovely jam!
Friday, 23 August 2013
A4 Folder
Chunky yarn
5mm needles
tension not important
CO 45 stitches
Work 10 rows in moss st (every row = (k1 p1) rep to end)
CABLE PATTERN:
Row 1: (K1 p1) 3times k1 (cable panel: p2 k8 p2) (p1 k1) 3 times p1 (cable panel: p2 k8 p2) (K1 p1) 3times k1
Row 2: (K1 p1) 3times k1 (cable panel: k2 p8 k2) (p1 k1) 3 times p1 (cable panel: k2 p8 k2) (K1 p1) 3times k1
Row 3: As row 1
Row 4: as row 2
Row 5: (K1 p1) 3times k1 (cable panel: p2 C8f p2) (p1 k1) 3 times p1 (cable panel: p2 C8b p2) (K1 p1) 3times k1
Row 6: As row 2
Row 7: As row 1
Row 8: as row 2
Repeat rows 1 to 8 five more times
Work rows 1 and 2 once more
Work 10 rows in Moss stitch.
Knit 1 row. Purl 1 row (for fold line).
This is the first half of the bag complete. Do not cast off - continue on these stitches to make the second half of the bag:
Work 68 rows in moss stitch
Knit 1 row, purl 1 row (for fold line)
Moss stitch 4 rows.
Button hole row: Moss stitch 12 stitches. YRN p2tog. Moss stitch to last 12 sts. YO K2tog. Moss stitch to end.
Moss stitch 5 more rows.
Cast off in moss stitch.
With right sides together oversew seams, folding on fold line at half way point.
Turn right side out and sew buttons on to the front to correspond with buttonholes on flap
Ta Dah!
Monday, 19 August 2013
Curiouser and curioser
So I found a chart for curious George - much loved by Harry. Had to be knitted!
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Friday, 19 April 2013
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Scotland 2013
Day 1 - travelling most of the day - took 6 hours of driving to get to Ayr by about 5pm. Did B****r all for that evening!
Day 2 - spent at Rosie's - Johns great niece and 3 of his great nephews came to visit. Great fun playing, reading and cuddling.
Day 3 - A walk on Ayr beach with the dogs. Sun shone - it was a glorious day. Dogs loved it and I relaxed.
Fish and chips from Marco's chip shop highly recommended - tons of grub and 2 for a fiver!
Day 4 - headed north for another 6 hours drive to Noss Head, Wick, in Caithness. Lovely cottage! GORGEOUS kitchen and oh I so want the kitchen table and chairs (down you green eyed beast!)
Clouds came in when the sun went down so no chance of seeing the aurora.
Day 5 - walked a couple of miles around the area the cottage is in. Went as far as Noss head lighthouse (closed) and then Sinclair Castle (open, free and AWESOME!).
I was incredibly brave I think, went very close to the cliff edge. Faced the fear! Kept dogs on a tight lead though as most of the edge is unprotected.
How lucky are we with the weather!?!
Clear sky at night. Took dogs out a few times after dark. Moonlight sooooo pretty and so many stars visible. Makes you realise how much light pollution we usually put up with. Very peacful outside, some birds fussing and other unidentified animal noises, proper countryside.
No sight of aurora, although I did see a shooting star so that was some consolation.
Day 6 (Monday) - Another absolutely glorious day. Warm and sunny, very unexpected at this time of year and at this latitude. I saw baby lambs in fields, and the gorse is in bud.
We went to the beach in Sinclair bay. Dogs enjoyed it so much! Charlie has slowed down a lot at his age, but Arnie just does not stop. This sand was pristine when we arrived:
Then we went to John O'Groats and had a walk along the coast path. (john's shadow looks like he has wings; either red bull or he is being an angel)
Just look at that sky!
I was hoping for clear skies this evening, but a fog has come in from the sea. Cloud is forecast for the rest of the week sightings of the aurora are increasingly unlikely.
Day 7 - A lazy lazy morning. Charlie certainly has mastered the art of relaxation:
Beautiful morning, so warm and sunny I was sat in my nightie in the garden with my morning fag. Sunbathing in February yay!
Eventually we got off our butts, and had a good scramble over the rocks at Staxigoe harbour. A word of advice; avoid seaweed looking like this:
It's pretty, it's red, and it's very very slippery. *rubs arse and deals with the embarrassment*
Me and Charlie slipped over a couple of times but nothing more than a couple of bruises. Arnie had no such problem, chasing sea birds all over the place, though I wouldnt't want to tangle with those cormorants - they look evil! Also saw guillimots, but no seals.
The water was so clear, and some of the pools were really deep. Arnie's antics were making my heart jump, but he stayed safe. Thank goodness Charlie has calmed down a bit, 2 of them would give me a heart attack!
When we arrived back at the cottage, there was a buzzard sitting on our rence post. Felt like I was in a Stephen King book :-p.
We left the dogs at the cottage and went into Wick for a mosey round the shops - there were loads of charity shops and I got some bargains. Home happy ready for a nap. Blissful day. Rainy night so no sightings but I expected that. Lit the fire just for the atmos, but was so hot we had to open the windows. Might have to return all the thermal clothing I bought lol
Day 8 - Oh am so glad of the thermals and windproofs today - what a change in the weather
Arnie all windswept and interesting looking
On the drive back to Ayr, on the A9 going over the Cromarty Firth eagle eye john spotted SEALS!!! At last! Was looking or them all week. Secondary mission accomplished hoorah!
Day 2 - spent at Rosie's - Johns great niece and 3 of his great nephews came to visit. Great fun playing, reading and cuddling.
Day 3 - A walk on Ayr beach with the dogs. Sun shone - it was a glorious day. Dogs loved it and I relaxed.
Fish and chips from Marco's chip shop highly recommended - tons of grub and 2 for a fiver!
Day 4 - headed north for another 6 hours drive to Noss Head, Wick, in Caithness. Lovely cottage! GORGEOUS kitchen and oh I so want the kitchen table and chairs (down you green eyed beast!)
Clouds came in when the sun went down so no chance of seeing the aurora.
Day 5 - walked a couple of miles around the area the cottage is in. Went as far as Noss head lighthouse (closed) and then Sinclair Castle (open, free and AWESOME!).
I was incredibly brave I think, went very close to the cliff edge. Faced the fear! Kept dogs on a tight lead though as most of the edge is unprotected.
How lucky are we with the weather!?!
Clear sky at night. Took dogs out a few times after dark. Moonlight sooooo pretty and so many stars visible. Makes you realise how much light pollution we usually put up with. Very peacful outside, some birds fussing and other unidentified animal noises, proper countryside.
No sight of aurora, although I did see a shooting star so that was some consolation.
Day 6 (Monday) - Another absolutely glorious day. Warm and sunny, very unexpected at this time of year and at this latitude. I saw baby lambs in fields, and the gorse is in bud.
We went to the beach in Sinclair bay. Dogs enjoyed it so much! Charlie has slowed down a lot at his age, but Arnie just does not stop. This sand was pristine when we arrived:
Then we went to John O'Groats and had a walk along the coast path. (john's shadow looks like he has wings; either red bull or he is being an angel)
Just look at that sky!
I was hoping for clear skies this evening, but a fog has come in from the sea. Cloud is forecast for the rest of the week sightings of the aurora are increasingly unlikely.
Day 7 - A lazy lazy morning. Charlie certainly has mastered the art of relaxation:
Beautiful morning, so warm and sunny I was sat in my nightie in the garden with my morning fag. Sunbathing in February yay!
Eventually we got off our butts, and had a good scramble over the rocks at Staxigoe harbour. A word of advice; avoid seaweed looking like this:
It's pretty, it's red, and it's very very slippery. *rubs arse and deals with the embarrassment*
Me and Charlie slipped over a couple of times but nothing more than a couple of bruises. Arnie had no such problem, chasing sea birds all over the place, though I wouldnt't want to tangle with those cormorants - they look evil! Also saw guillimots, but no seals.
The water was so clear, and some of the pools were really deep. Arnie's antics were making my heart jump, but he stayed safe. Thank goodness Charlie has calmed down a bit, 2 of them would give me a heart attack!
When we arrived back at the cottage, there was a buzzard sitting on our rence post. Felt like I was in a Stephen King book :-p.
We left the dogs at the cottage and went into Wick for a mosey round the shops - there were loads of charity shops and I got some bargains. Home happy ready for a nap. Blissful day. Rainy night so no sightings but I expected that. Lit the fire just for the atmos, but was so hot we had to open the windows. Might have to return all the thermal clothing I bought lol
Day 8 - Oh am so glad of the thermals and windproofs today - what a change in the weather
Arnie all windswept and interesting looking
So we stayed in doing jigsaws and generally chilling until late afternoon
But then we decided to go for a walk - and the sun came out within minutes - Off to Dunnet beach hoorah!
Then, tired but happy, we all went home for tea and yet more relaxation
Day 9 - Thursday? Losing track now!
Well, at 1am this morning the skies cleared so we went out in all our thermals and a couple of blankets; sat on a bench watching the stars in a biting easterly wind. Was flipping feezing! Shows how dedicated we were cos we stayed there for an hour and a half before giving up and going to bed. No luck at all with my primary mission!
Woke about 10ish as a consequence so didnt even get out of the house till about 2, although it was another sunny day. Looks pretty but oh that wind!
Tried the beach at Keiss today. Amazing sand dunes and we had the place to ourselves. Bliss.
Sooooo cold though - we didn't care what we looked like as long as we were warm - as you can see lol
About midnight we went out for our last look at the sky. It was clear as can be; amazingly beautiful with the quarter moon and millions of stars. Unable to get any pics though cos the moon made the sky too light.
No idea why we didn't think of it before, but we drove to the headland and sat in the warmth of the car this time. Better view and MUCH more comfy. Felt a bit stupid that we didn't think of it before, but at the same time so glad that we thought of it at all! (My idea natch!)
Still no sightings though so feel a bit sad. Gave up at 2am; the sky clouding over plus I was so tired that the stars were jumping around lol.
Day 9 - SHOPS!!! This is the local supermarket:
I say local, but it is at least 2 miles away!
Guess what time I got up today?! Go on, have a guess. ELEVEN o'clock!!! Those that know me will understand the shocking nature of this revelation.
Before going out, John finished the jigsaw.
OOh, see what I mean about the GORGEOUSNESS of the table??? Mmmmmm
Found this funny little Harbour in Papigoe (Great names or what!) So spent a while there. Didn't spot any seals :-( Are all my missions destined or failure this week?)
Then home for a shower before we packed our stuff ready to leave the cottage in the morning
Day 10 - Sat. Bye Bye cottage - we have loved staying in you!
On the drive back to Ayr, on the A9 going over the Cromarty Firth eagle eye john spotted SEALS!!! At last! Was looking or them all week. Secondary mission accomplished hoorah!
We stopped at Pitlochry for a break and the dogs headed straight for the river. Oh the futility of showering them!
At Rosie's place in Ayr, we caught up with loads of John's family, including his great nephews and neices. This little one is not at all camera shy - the second pic was taken about 30 secs after the first lol
Had a teeny bit of a party that night so we ended up staying till monday, as sunday was very painful!
It took us 8 hours of actual driving to get home somehow - 2 more than usual. TIRED
"There's no place like home.........."
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