Countdown Begins

In one weeks time I'll be heading off from these windswept isles.......I can hardly believe we've been here for three and half months.....it's going to be hard to say goodbye.....I will endevour to get plenty more photos this week.

Today we had a beautiful walk along the coast at Dale of Walls:

We Wish You a Merry Xmas......

..... or whatever you celebrate at this time of year.

Some highlights from our day......champagne for breakfast, generous and thoughtful gift giving, grateful recipients of gifts, calm day for walking, sticky toffee pudding, Xmas crackers, a new Wallace and Gromit TV special, dancing contests...fun with family.....feeling grateful.....

My Man!

Reunited with my man after three months...he arrived in Shetland today.....and is already making dinner.....so incredibly good to have him here...especially as Maya and I have raging colds and need to be taken care of!

The Festivity Begins

Thought I'd share some festive tidbits from Muckle Bousta. We don't usually get a tree this early but both of my kids have been ill this week and needed some cheering up! I have to admit to being a bit nervous that we wouldn't find a real Xmas tree up here where as you can see there is a distinct lack of the things! But of course they were imported (probably from Norway) and we picked one up at the supermarket!

We unearthed some of my parents old decorations and added a few of our own to make it a particulary Shetland tree: Some old glass floats, a puffin, a shetland pony and some felted fish!

We also added a freshly made felted goddess as the tree topper.....I like the crooked crown she has....too much Xmas punch already!

And Maya and I are both whizzing up the Xmas knits!

Breiwick Beret

Breiwick has been test knit (thanks Christy) and is ready to go!

Inspired by beachcombing walks in Shetland this highly textured beret uses a slip stitch pattern to create a cable-like lattice evocative of fishing nets. Make this in a worsted weight yarn for a thicker, sturdier beret or in a DK weight for a more peerie (small) beret.

Finished Size
Diameter across top of beret is 10.5 inches in Worsted weight and 10 inches in DK weight.
Materials
Approx 190 yrds worsted weight yarn or 210 yrds of DK weight yarn. Shown in Dream In Colour, Classy and Rowan Pure Wool DK.
US#4/3.5mm 16-inch Circular Needle (for both berets)
US#8/5mm 16-inch Circular Needle (for worsted weight beret)
US#7/4.5mm 16 inch Circular Needle (for DK weight beret)
Set of US#8/5mm DPN’S (for worsted weight beret)
Set of US#7/4.5mm DPN’S (for DK weight beret)
Crochet hook (for catching slipped sts)
Marker
Gauge
19 sts and 28 rows=4 inches in stockinette st on US#8/5mm in worsted weight.
21 sts and 28 rows=4 inches in stockinette st on US#7/4.5mm in DK weight.

Skill Level

Intermediate. The slip stitch patterns requires dropping and catching stitches without using a cable needle.

$4.00

December Light

Driving back from Lerwick at 3:30pm....sun about to dip below the horizon.

Papa Stour ferry that passes daily in front of the house.

"Ling"-Scottish term for heather.

"Linga"- means heather covered island and is to be the name for this beret which uses the same Shetland lace pattern as my Vaila sweater. Vaila and Linga are islands that lie next to one another on the Wastside of Shetland.

A good portion of Shetland roads are single track with these wee passing places dotted alongside....got to watch out for stubborn sheep too!