Well friends, all exciting adventures must come to an end and today we find Chalky, Charcoal and Rose in the USA about to embark on their final blog-trotting journey. During the past few months they have travelled many thousands of 'virtual miles' and have now been invited to visit Moo-ness Family in New Zealand where their cousin Baaaa-rry is waiting to show them all the amazing sights in his native country.
Our intrepid trio are understandably feeling quite travel-weary and are sitting down to discuss how they will cover the many thousands of miles to their next destination when suddenly a handsome woolly stranger appears.
He introduces himself as Rudolph the ram. He explains that he works for Santa Claus who is now employing sheep to work for him as he can no longer afford to employ reindeer.
Rudolph has been sent on a mission to find unwanted toys that can be repaired and recycled as Christmas gifts. The trouble is, he’s lost his red nose and without it he can’t fly.
Rose, as you might guess, has taken an immediate liking to the handsome fellow and offers to help him find his nose.
The two disappear into the bushes and begin searching.
Suddenly Rudolph appears wearing a hideously large red nose which terrifies poor Charcoal.
“What do you think?” he asks
“Horrible!” exclaims Charcoal. “Take it off at once.”
“How about this?” asks Rudolph showing Chalky and Rose a long red sausage-shaped nose.
The two sheep have to look away as it looks even worse than before.
“Is this any better?” asks Rudolph showing them a smaller nose that looks like a shiny red berry.
“Much better” they all agree. "That looks like a proper shiny red nose."
“Now for some antlers” says Rudolph. “Santa says I must try to look like a real reindeer” and he balances two enormous branches on his head.
“Much too big Rudolph, find smaller ones” they all tell him.
And so he chooses smaller twiggy antlers and pops them on his head.
Now Rudolph the red-nosed ram looks every bit as handsome as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and he takes the friends to see the sleigh full of broken toys that he is taking back to Santa's workshop to be repaired.
They all agree that the sleigh looks rather like a cardboard box. But Rudolph explains that Santa wants to reduce his carbon hoof-print this year and is using environmentally friendly cardboard to carry toys around the world at Christmas.
Then Chalky has a good idea and says to Rudolph “If you take us to New Zealand you might find some more broken toys that can be recycled."
"Let's go there and find out" says Rudolph cheerily. So the three woolly blog-trotters waste no time in climbing into the cardboard sleigh where they sit down amongst the broken toys ready for the journey.
“Everyone sitting comfortably?” asks Rudolph.
“Not really” replies Rose who is squeezed into a corner next to a toy horse and two plastic robots.
“Then we'll be off” says Rudolph. "Hold on tight everyone...... New Zealand here we come". And away they fly.
And so we leave our intrepid blog-trotters as they head off to visit their cousin at the 10th and final blog. Will they ever return home to Flutterby Patch or will they decide to stay in lovely NZ?
To be continued......
Meanwhile, if you'd like to knit your own Rudolf the red-nosed ram you can use my basic sheep pattern found in the sidebar. This fellow is slightly larger than the other sheep so all you need to do is cast on an extra stitch and knit an extra row for the head, body, legs, ears and coat. For example, the pattern for the head tells you to cast on 9 stitches and knit 10 rows so you would change this to - cast on 10 stitches and knit 11 rows. Its as easy as that!
For Rudolph's horns I used pipe cleaners and for his antlers some little twigs from a bush in the garden. His bead nose is attached with a pin but you would probably want to stitch this on firmly, especially if you have children around.
Happy sheep knitting!
Until next time,
Eli
Rudolph the ram is stunning!! and Baaaaa-ry will be watching for the sleigh - I am sure he can find a broken toy or two xox
Posted by: mummymoo | 19 August 2009 at 10:02 AM
Hi Eli
I love the adventures of your sheep. It had to laugh when I saw the twigs used as antlers! You have a wonderful sense of humor!
Hugs, Rhondi
Posted by: Rhondi | 21 August 2009 at 03:11 AM
How adorable & funny!! Thanks for the sweet story & precious pattern!
Posted by: Miss Julep | 21 August 2009 at 04:27 PM
Oh Eli,
I never cease to be delighted with your charming sheep posts and beautiful photos! You are quite clever and so very creative!!! I can truly see your sheep adventures being published as a children's book... it would be loved by adult's, too!
Rudolf the Ram is so adorable! I love the stance Charcoal takes on when he first sees the large red nose! You do a wonderful job of arranging them each in the perfect pose to go along with their conversation! I love what you said about Santa wanting to reduce his carbon hoof print. That is too funny!
Thank you Eli, for taking time to put together these charming post! I enjoy each and every one.
Love, Paula
Posted by: Paula | 27 August 2009 at 09:38 PM
this is what I get when I'm too busy to check out the journey--the best ones yet!! sorry late in commenting--this is suh-weet!
Julie Old Crow
Posted by: Julie Old Crow | 28 August 2009 at 09:39 PM