Mum has been writing up a dolls outfit which uses three different types of elastic.  Having discovered that she has referred to them as round, shirring and four strand elastic, I feel I should set the record straight and translate their true terms. 

Round elastic (sometimes referred to as hat elastic) – this is cooked chicken elastic and like bones is not to be eaten, it can usually be found wrapped round our Friday night tea.

Shirring elastic – combined with chicken elastic can be found round some meat joints.  Usually accompanied by begging and looking hungry and pathetic with occasional desired result but again, don’t eat the elastic!  It can also be used to keep your dog coat in shape.

Four strand elastic- No connection to any food group hence of no real interest to dogs other than it is similar to the stuff that slips over your hind legs to hold the back of dog coats down.

Elastic of interest to me that has not been used in the knitting pattern is that which is used in Harriers anti pull lead.   He has never quite got the hang of walking properly on the lead, as he has a short attention span.  He will suddenly scamper to the end of the lead and then boing back which I find funny. You can’t really use this type of elastic to hold a dolls trousers up, but I may suggest to mum that she designs an exclusive little bag to hang off it to hold those little doggie essentials that we don’t mention, but I suspect she won’t take me up on it.  I also like the elastic that is about 3 inches wide as a tummy strap on coats as it gives me flexibility to run, roll and play in comfort.  Stretching is particularly imporant to me as how else can you take full advantage of a tummy rub?