A Brighter Future

Where do I begin?
Well let me start by saying I accept the will of 55% of the population that voted in the Scottish referendum that they did not wish to live in an independent country. Let me also state for the record that I am not anti-English, never have been never will be. I have family and friends in England and I love them all dearly.
However this past weekend I have been compelled to join a political party. For the first time ever in my life I feel that us ordinary souls need to stand up and be counted and can be. Our voices need to be heard. We need a new breed of political activists in this land, people who know the struggles of daily living. Real people from all walks of life who can work together towards a better future for all.
I like many others am sick of the lies, corruption and lining of their own pockets of the elite. I want the future of our land and the other lands in this United Kingdom to be in the hands of the people, the majority not the minority.
The lying has to STOP. The money grabbing has to STOP. The pandering to the media has to STOP. The media pandering to the elite has to STOP. The corruption has to STOP.
Politics has to change and the only way to change it is to take action ourselves. If we do not we risk our voices being drowned out once more by the elite.
So there it is. The reasons I am getting involved, I want a brighter future for all.

Change Will Come

As I sit here unable to sleep I am more than aware that dawn will shortly be breaking on the most momentous day in my life. Today 5+ million of us resident in Scotland have the opportunity to choose the destiny of the country we call home. The country I was born in, live in and work in will never be the same after this day. Whatever the result of the referendum things around here will and have changed.
Before the polling stations even open I have seen major changes in the people of my country. 90+% of the eligible electorate have registered to vote. This is unprecedented in a country in which apathy has been the winner at the polls in recent years. The population has been energised in a way that in my humble opinion has stunned the media and political commentators not to mention the politicians in their ivory towers. Suddenly we have declarations of love from the heart where before it felt like we barely had a nod in our direction.
Some of the propaganda being spouted has had me scratching my head and has left me wondering if some of the so called educated think that we are all unable to put our minds to making a decision. We may not all have gone to university but the last thing we are is stupid. If they think we cannot see beyond the bluff and bluster then they are the ones who need their brains examined.
I have read all the arguments, watched the debates and listened to what others have to say. But be in no doubt, I have made my own mind up. I will go to the polling booth today and put my cross in the box of my choosing confident in the knowledge I have made the right decision for me.
By this time tomorrow some of the first results may be showing and by 6am we should know the outcome. Whether it goes the way I will choose or not, we the people of Scotland will have spoken and then it will be up to the politicians to negotiate the future.

Fox and the Grapes - Days 5 - 12

Despite life and illness (Laryngitis which morphed into Tonsillitis) getting in the way much progress has been made. Charts 1 and 2 have been completed and chart 3 has only 5 rows to go. These 5 rows will complete the edging section and then I shall progress onto the fun lacy part.  Adding to the satisfaction of seeing the shawl grow I have now fully used up 2 of the 10 balls of yarn and each row is nearly 100 stitches less than it was at cast on. Knowing that every second row has less stitches as well as seeing even such a small gap in the bag of yarn makes me very happy.

• Rows knitted - 29/251
• Stitches so far - 22,268
• Skeins used - 2

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Fox and the Grapes - Days 3 & 4

Still not much to see. The stitch markers are in place for the edging and some dropped stitches have been rescued. Work and life have slightly got in the way of progress but today I have the first day of the 2014 Tour de France to watch so plenty time for some relaxing knitting along with some exciting cycling and an armchair tour round the Yorkshire Dales, one of our favourite places. I am sure some happy memories will come flooding back.

Hopefully I will finish the first chart today.

• Rows knitted 6/251
• Stitches so far 5788

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary 

Fox and the Grapes - Day 2

After a false start, yep I had to frog the first 3 rows. I have completed a cast on of 830 stitches, I just used a simple knitted cast on, a knit row to stabilise and the first 2 rows of the pattern.
It doesn't look much but here it is

• Rows knitted 3
• Stitches so far 2488

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Fox and the Grapes - Day 1

This year I am not taking part in the fun and games of Camp Loopy on Ravelry so I have decided to embark on a challenge of my own. I am going to attempt to knit a shawl of epic proportions to snuggle up in on the chilly winter nights we have here in Scotland. I am a big girl and I want something I can wrap up in so I have gone ahead and chosen a pattern by one of my favourite designers and I have purchased over 2000 yards of fingering weight yarn to complete the project. I have decided to do the largest size and am now faced with a cast on of over 800 stitches. Mind you, although it may be slow going at the start as the rows get shorter it will speed up.

The  pattern I have chosen is Fox and the Grapes by designer Lilygo. I have knitted many of this designer's patterns and always love the end result.
I shall be using Knit Picks Palette yarn in the shade Regal and ChiaGoo circular needle size 3.5mm.
Each journey begins with the first step so, here goes.........

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary

Piling Up The Almosts

You may have noticed that I have not posted any finished projects recently. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that knitting is happening as is finishing. My problem is a tiny wee flat with 4 furries and absolutely no blocking space. I must have at least 4 shawls all knitted and waiting as well as a sweater which only needs some ends sewn in and pinned out to complete.
I promise that in a couple of weeks after my holiday away that I will get cracking and have a few new islands to share with you all.

Stay safe and happy crafting

Mary