Chilli Growing...again!

Nearly a month between posts - that shall never do!
I've been rather busy as I recenlty decided to have another crack at growing chilli plants. I've tried this once before, but had rather a poor result; by poor result, I mean I killed them all.

This time, I'm determined to get some plants; I'd love to eat something that I have grown myself, I imagine that the sense of achievement must be immense. My mother and grandfather were keen growers and often, most of what was on the dinner table had come from their gardens. Obviously being a kid, I never fully appreciated the brilliance of that; I would now... but isn't that always the way? Well, it's never too late - I'm going to have a go at this home growing and experience the joy for myself!

However, I'd better not get carried away just yet - I have to grow some plants before I can even entertain eating any fruit...
So, here's the story so far:



I have the following seeds on my grow list:

Adorno
Alberto's Locoto
Apache F1 Hybrid
Bulgarian Carrot
Cayenne
Corno Di Torro Rosso
Jamaican Red Hot
Mustard Habanero
Orange Habanero
Prairie Fire
Sante Fe Grante
Worldbeater

This morning I awoke to find we have some Cayenne seedlings coming up!!:



I also have 2 loops in the 'Adorno' variety:



...both of these types were planted a few days before the other seeds so they've had a head start. I have a little while to wait before any of the other varieties show their faces.

Whilst waiting for the seedlings I've been building a lighting rig for them - they'll have more chance of success if I ply them with as much daylight as possible! I've made a holder for 3 artificial daylight bulbs - these mimic the spectrum of light given off by natural sunlight and will help to make the plants shoot up!





I just have to build a reflector now; that will hang over the light fitting. This will bounce the light down over the plants making sure they get the full benefit of the bulbs instead of the light merely lighting the whole room.

On another note, I will also have to knit a chilly toy - it only seems right to mix the two hobbies at some point!

Kat xx

2010 is here...

...and if it's going to be anything like 2009 it can jolly well naff off. Actually, that's not totally fair; after all, 2009 had it's good times. Some couldn't possibly be more so and for those moments I thank my super fiancee, Rob; that's one of the year's highlights - On bended knee in my favourite Italian restaurant, the whole place (albeit 6 people) erupting into a cheer....

That was about the best and will remain so. There was also being back in my beloved Wales, closer to my friends and loved ones; happy to be back where I belong even if my being here was brought about by the failure of a doomed marriage. Sometimes, with the best will in the world it doesn't matter how hard you try. Ultimately, if it's wrong, then you chose to move on or burn yourself out trying to repair something that is un-fixable.
Unsurprisingly, in the end, the latter was more attractive to me.

There have been other trials too. 2009 found me wrapped up in unnecessary court proceedings, but I'll leave that one there..... suffice to say that I'm left standing and my conscience is clear. Also we had to say goodbye to a friend of ours in the April; he no longer wanted to stay on this earth and decided to help himself shuffle from the mortal coil. I will miss him and will never be able to watch "My name is Earl" or "The New Statesman" without a melancholy smile.....

On a lighter note, 2009 was the year of TV Burp and my birthday found me in Teddington Studios watching it being filmed!! What a cracking day; that man is so funny!!

It was also the year I became a complete knitting nutter - my super sister and I have spent so many hours sat clicketty-clacketting all manner of wonderful and sometimes quite frankly odd creations. It was also the year of the Jag, with Rob finally getting his hands on the car of his dreams. I've seen my oldest nephew run for Wales and have sat in the great hall of Caerphilly castle listening to my mother singing her heart out along with the rest of Caerphilly ladies choir.

So I suppose you could say a thoroughly mixed bag; Some life changing moments for good and for bad. (See what I did there? I made a little rhyme...)
As for new year's resolutions, I'm not making any. The only change that was important to me was to pack in the smoking, but I've already done it - I smoked my last on Halloween, so I've been free for two months already.

I won't pray for a better year ahead, for if it wasn't for some of the crud, the good stuff could never have happened. No, what I would really like for this upcoming year is 12 lovely months of astounding un-eventfulness. A period of settling; a nice pleasant drive on a long straight road; as opposed to the finger-biting-white-knuckle-stop-the-ride-I-want-to-get-off agony of last year's roller coaster.

Good luck for 2010 - may it be whatever you wish. xx

Dr Who's Tardis Spotted on Caerphilly Castle

No, you're eyes do not deceive you; The Tardis is indeed parked on top of Caerphilly Castle. You can imagine my surprise when spotting this as I was strolling past, minding my own business. I've done a spot of 'googleing' this morning, but alas; no information as to what the dear Doctor is doing in my hometown. Still, it made a great shot - even if I did risk my gear as I stood there praying that the heavens would put off bucketting down on me. Lets just hope that's all he's brought here mind; I've had one hell of a year and right now I would prefer not to be caught up in some inter-dimentional battle between a bunch of planet stealing, other-world nutters... Mr Who - You may have survived all manner of nasties and made it to a whopping 903 years old, but if you want to see you 904th birthday I suggest you make sure I get a peaceful christmas.

Kitty-Kat's Kitty Hat!!

It was always going to happen; a Kitty-Kat needs a kitty hat! I think this may be the last of the hats, but then I said that last time.... Once again, it's the same pattern for the basic hat shape, which can be found here: http://photokat22.blogspot.com/2009/11/kats-two-sticks-ear-flap-ski-hat.html Only this time I've added some cunning kitty ears!

You could also put on some eyes and a nose if you felt so inclined; I've decided to leave it as it is for now until I'm bored and then I may add more bits and pieces. I think it' super cute as it is :-)

For the ears you'll need to follow this simple pattern.

EARS (Make 2, unless you're a freak cat!)

Cast on 14 sts in your main colour - in my case black.

St-st 10 rows

Ssk, k10, k2tog - 12

Purl row

Ssk, k8, K2tog - 10

Purl row

Ssk, k6, k2tog - 8

Purl row

Ssk, k4, k2tog 6

Purl row

Ssk, k2, k2tog -4

Purl row

Ssk, k2tog -2

B&T tightly

Now with a groovy pink for the inner ear make 2 of the following:

Cast on 10

St-st 8 rows

Ssk, k6, k2tog -8

Purl row

Ssk, k4, k2tog -6

Purl row

Ssk, k2, k2tog -4

Purl row

Ssk, k2tog -2

B&T Tightly.

Now you have to sew one black piece to one pink.

Place a pink section on top of a black one with the right sides facing each other and oversew around the row edges making sure that the cast on edges stay in line and do not get oversewn - this is where we shall add stuffing. You will find that when you turn this inside out you will have the excess black around the edge of the pink creating a border around the top and sides of the ear.

Add a little stuffing and then place where you'd like on the hat. I put mine quite far back as they seemed to sit better, but it's really up to you. You're best bet is to put the hat on and look in a mirror; try holding the ears in different positions until you like what you see and then pin them down carefuly. Remove the hat and sew the ears down permanently.

Now... doesn't that look the cat's whiskers?! MEOW!!!

Wounded!

A knitters worst nightmare...

Yesterday, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to try and hack off my index finger whilst doing the washing up. Had I remembered that I'd wanted to finish a hat project today, I would have tried for a less inconvenient appendage; such as a toe or an ear.

It didn't feel like much at the time. I felt a rough pain as I washed out what I've since discovered to be a cracked mug, however; I thought I'd failed to mutilate myself. It was only the spurting that followed as I grasped a plate from the bowl (the finger curling action opening the gash, forcing blood to pour out like ketchup) that had me grabbing for a tea-towel.

So now I sit here forced to play Bejewelled Blitz on Facebook for hours; I just can't help it - is it not the most addictive thing ever? Oh no... sorry; that would be crack.

Kat's Devilish Ear Flap Ski Hat "Two Sticks"

For you little devils out there, I've added some groovy horns to my ear flap hat - If you wanna make a statement then this works! I must confess I rather enjoyed the smiles I got whilst wandering around the supermarket with this on my noggin!

So how's it done? Well, follow my pattern for the basic hat: http://photokat22.blogspot.com/2009/11/kats-two-sticks-ear-flap-ski-hat.html - this is done with just 2 straight needles; no DPNs and no circulars (I know.... I'm good to you.)

You'll need a gorgeous red chunky (bulky) wool, and a bit of stuffing for the horns to make them stay nice and upright.
Once you've made your hat, it's time to make the horns!

Cast on 3 sts
Row 1: Increase all stitches (Kf&b to end) - 6
Row 2: Purl row
Row 3:Increase all stitches (Kf&b to end) - 12
Row 4: Purl row
Row 5: Increase 1st and last st of row - 14
Beginning with a purl row, st-st 6 rows
Cast off
Repeat for your second horn.

Now sew down row edges to make the horn shape and stuff firmly. Placing your ski hat on your head, have great fun working out the best placement for your horns! You can have them sticking out of the top like mine, or they also look nifty coming from your forehead; it's up to you though! Once you've decided, pin them down (being careful not to skewer your scalp) then remove your hat and sew the horns onto the hat.

Voila! One horny ear flap hat! Great fun :-)

For the record, I have no idea what is going on with my eye in this photo; it must be that hat....... it's evil!!!

Kat's Kiddies "Two-Sticks" Ear Flap Ski Hat

My goodness, what a mouthful!

But that's what it is; a mini version of the Ear Flap Ski Hat, but this one is just for kids!!

Again, this little beauty only needs 2 needles, no Circular needles and definately no dreaded DPNs!!

I've put the size as 1-2 years old, but it's quite stretchy so it is a rough guide. The picture gives you an idea - my gorgeous little model is Tom; a big thanks to him and to his parents for allowing me to publish this picture of him showing off his new hat!!

SIZE: Child 1-2 years Finished Circumference approx 18 inches.

MATERIALS
5MM Needles
Aran/Chunky Wool. I prefer chunky (Bulky) because the hat comes out thicker and therefore warmer!

GAUGE:
16 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches

ABBREVIATIONS:

k = knit
p = purl
beg = begin
k2tog = knit 2 together
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
sl = slip
St st = Stockinette
sts = stitch(es)WS = wrong side

YOU WILL NEED:
5mm Needles. Yup, that's it; just 1 pair of 5mm needles - can you believe it?!!!Chunky wool in whatever colour you would like.
The pattern is written as if it's all one colour - just change wool wherever you would like to add stripes of colour. The design also works in Aran with no need to change size, though it makes a thinner hat.

Earflaps (make 2)
Cast on 3 sts. Work in k1, p1 rib until you have a 7 inch length for the tie.

******K1, p1 rib is just knitting one then purling one then knitting one again, then purling one again and so on until you reach the end, then doing the same on the wrong side.***********

Row 1: inc1, K1, inc1 – 5 sts.

Row 2: Knit row

Row 3: inc1, K3, inc1 – 7 sts.

Row 4: Knit row

Row 5: inc1, K5, inc1 – 9 sts.

Row 6: Knit row

Row 7: inc1, K7, inc1 – 11 sts.

Row 8: Knit row

Continue as established, increasing 2 sts of each row until there are 23 sts; ending on a WS row.Slip stitches onto a spare needle or holder. Make a second Earflap the same, adding this to the spare needle/stitch holder.

Joining it all up:

Cast on 5 sts then knit across 23 earflap sts. Then cast on another 16 sts, knit across 23 stitches of second earflap and then cast on another 5 sts – 72 sts.Work even in St st until piece measures 4.5 inches above joining row, end with a RS row.

Next Row: P16, P2tog, P36, P2tog, P16 - 70 sts

Decrease for hat top:

Row 1: *K5, k2tog; rep from * across row – 60 sts.

Row 2: Purl row

Row 3: *K4, k2tog; rep from * across row – 50 sts.

Row 4: Purl row

Row 5: *K3, k2tog; rep from * across row – 40 sts.

Row 6: Purl row

Row 7: *K2, k2tog; rep from * across row – 30 sts.

Row 8: Purl row

Row 9: *K1, k2tog; rep from * across row – 20 sts.

Row 11: K2tog across – 10 sts.

Row 13: K2tog across - 5 sts.

And finally:
Cut the wool, leaving a good length tail; enough to sew down the seam. Thread the tail through remaining sts and pull tightly together to secure.
And there you have it; a cute and cuddly ski hat for the little one :-)

Kat xx