Let's walk.

Let's face it. Shetland is more than just WoolWeek. How much I thoroughly enjoy the talks and workshops about wool, techniques and spinning, knitting etc., I was struck by the beauty of this islands the second I set foot on it, 2 years ago.

First look: Sumburg 

Because I deliver mail 4 times a week, I tend to walk a lot. I do that without any resentment and found there are amazing walks on these islands. Both times, 2012 and 2014, I went to Burra: 

And it was sunny weather and a great walk.
In 2012 there was Hermaness at our feet. Not this time, we spent time at Norwick (Unst).
A short walk on a long beach. I stood on a rock but the waves were quick and I got my feet wet. 

The day before I had chosen to talk a walk on the 'red' island. I had looked on my little map to find a place I hadn't been before. And somewhere I could walk and be back in time for the next workshop.
Muckle Roe. Just take a left at Brae and you'll have to hold on to your seat! 

Brae

Muckle Roe. 

It doesn't 'look' special but it sure was. Wikipedia told me there was a small bridge (there was) and that the island has red rocks. It does. 

 I didn't see that anywhere before. It was a bit more rugged than other parts I've walked. After I had reached the end of the road, parked the car and started walking into the fields, I noticed a sign.

 Hé, I can walk 2km and back ánd be back in time for a workshop in Lerwick.

 Little foot holds to make sure the sheep don't escape.. hahaha. No path. So, decided to walk up to the beach.

 This was amazing! Not a soul in sight. Just cute little bunnies. Nature can be cruel, though. I saw their little white tails hopping. Had I been a hunter, I could have shot them. Luckily for them, I'm not.

Now... Where is the 'path' to the lighthouse? 

 Found a path, and kept on walking. Enjoying the view. It was so quiet. Just as quiet as I had experienced on Sandness 2 years ago..

 This just looks like a nice picture but the beach is a lóng way down...

On the blog by Jan, I had noticed a pile of rocks. I had found 'my own'!! Searched for a nice stone to add to this 'memorial'. And one more hill to climb. Had to use the 'riverbed' for lack of other ways to get up the hill. 

The views kept getting better. Although I did start wondering when the darn lighthouse was going to appear.

And finally... There it was. You see that little white boxy thingy? That's it. I think the expression on my face says it all. The walk was great, but I had expected a bit more... well... like this.

Muckle Flugga...  (Picture by Andy Strangeway).

One can dream, right??
Because I didn't get to it in 2012, I thought that maybe, perhaps, somehow, with a similar name, came a similar lighthouse. Nope. Oh well.
It was a great time spent on my birthday. I did manage to phone my husband, even at that remote location. And got back in time for the workshop.

Back to my little red car and to Lerwick. Dreaming of maybe another trip to another lighthouse...

In the end, it turned out right...

Soms, sóms heb je van die momenten. Een opdracht waar geen tijdsdruk op ligt, vervolgens dus blijft liggen en dan op het laatste moment er achter komen dat het véél meer werk is dan je had gedacht.
Arrogantie en te weinig ervaring.

Sometimes, occasionally you've gotten sloppy. An assignment that has no deadline, which means it has been laying around for ever and then as the deadlines is in clear sight, you realize it was a lót more work than you had anticipated.
Arrogance and not enough experience.

 Zo moet het er uit komen te zien; het groene vestje.

 This is the target, the little green cropped cardigan...

Eerst maar eens besloten om beide delen TEGELIJK op te zetten; dan was ik er het snelst vanaf mee klaar. Dat bleek uiteindelijk een goede keus. 

I decided to cast on for both parts at the same time, to be done with it quicker. In the end it proved to be a very good choice.

De mouwen. Dat viel nog niet mee! Er stonden best veel steken op de naald en voor je heen en weer bent... Maar het is wel vrolijk, al die frisse kleurtjes.

The sleeves. That was hard work! A lot of stitches on the needle and it took a long time to knit a row. It is very pretty in these bright colours.

Toch maar even geïnformeerd hoe lang de mouwen moesten worden. Ik kon een patroon inkorten en dan hup aan het werk voor het voor en achterpand. Dat was interessant; nu moest ik de delen splitsen. Op sommige stukken betekende dat, dat er 8 bollen wol aan hingen te bungelen om in patroon te kunnen blijven werken. Dat ben ik niet gewend!

First I had to inquire for the sleeve length, that meant I could omit one pattern and start right away with the front and back. Then it became more interesting as I had to separate the parts for the neck opening. Working the pattern it meant I had to use 8 balls of yarn; I'm NOT used to that!

Hé het lijkt er al op! Maar het is meer een losse flodder dan een prachtig vestje op een foto... Nu kwam de ellende; het eindeloos wegwerken van losse draadjes. Nu, met mijn shawls zijn dat er hoog uit 3 of 4... Kijk eens naar de kleurwisselingen! Ik zag er als een berg tegen op. Dat vertraagde het wel een beetje...



Yes, it's starting to look like the cardigan from the picture. It's a bit floppy.. Now for the hard part; weaving in all ends. Believe me, there were a lot! I'm not used to that either; knitting my shawls leaves me usually with 3 or 4 strands. It seriously slowed me down.

En uiteindelijk kwam het toch weer goed... Na een aangebreide boord aan de onderkant, gehaakte randen om de sluiting en de nek en een zacht zeepbadje mocht het vestje uitrusten op bed. Na dat het droog was, gewacht tot de zon scheen en gauw naar buiten en foto's maken!

In the end it turned out just right... After I've knitted an edging and crochet-ed the front and neckline, a soft soapy bath the cropped cardigan could take a little nap on the bed.
When it was dry and the sun came out, it was time for some pictures!

De nieuwe eigenaar is er reuze blij mee! Kijk maar...
The new owner is very happy with the result; look!

Pattern: Gitane
Design: Marylene Lynx
Yarn: Renaissance Dyeing Lace (!) in Sea green, Beech green, Lemon yellow, Light Lilac, and Light Blue Grey (more beige...) I ran short of Lilac... 
Needle: 3,25mm / US 3
Size: Large (sizes given: S, M, L)
Kit came in: January/February 2013
Started: April 10 2013
Done: June 1 2013 (with the knitting, not with weaving in ends... )