What once was a butterfly, gay in life's beam

This stencil art is low down on a small retaining wall at my suburb's shops.

It makes me glad to see it there.

glory is the sodger's prize

I'd know it was Spring even if I didn't feel the heat or see the pretty flowers or experience the wrath of a ferret wanting to be alpha female in the household.

I'd know it because all kinds of culturvorian activities are beginning. My in-box is chokka with invitations to launches, openings and events.

Having spent the winter watchng movies at the ANU Film Group, and pretty much nothing else, it's time to start documenting the life of a cheapskate culture whore again.

Through professional connections, we attended a fantastic curator-lead private view if the Australian War Memorial's Icon to Archive exhibition. The exhibition is excellent, but having a tour led by someone who has such a passion and knowledge of the collection makes it much more enjoyable and meaningful. The exhibition finishes this Sunday - highly recommended.

Then on Thursday we took in Beating the Retreat & 1812 Overture at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

This is RMC's 40th anniversary of inviting the public to the Beat Retreat. A couple of hours spent in the warmish spring evening at RMC watching an ancient military ceremony in a picturesque setting, then listening to an excellent band play interpretations of classical and popular music culminating in Tchiakovsky's 1812 Overture with real cannon fire at the end and a fireworks display for a gold coin donation that goes to a local charity. Not completely culturevorian, because we cheated and supported the RMC preschool by purchasing a spam and egg roll and soft drink each instead of bringing a picnic meal. Total cost for dinner for two and concert $12.

And there was knitting.

Seven Things Week 57

Yes, I'm late, but we had a very busy weekend and not much chance to use the internet.

OK, so we managed a trip to the Bookfair last weekend afterall but I didn't disgrace myself - promise. I have to amend an earlier post. The Old Flame was not a Bookfair virgin, he is very, very experienced - I misunderstood.

IN (15)
1 pr jeans Salvos
3 prs needles Salvos
7 knitting pattern books Lifeline
1 home waxing kit bought retail - it felt very strange to buy retail
1 souvenir whisky jug - I bought it at Vinnies Dickson for Dad last year and he adored it. He didn't drink spirits, but this jug had our family name on it, and he proudly sat it with his other commemorative/souvenir drinks stuff.
2 tops, Vinnies half price sale

OUT (23)
10 books - BOOKCROSSING
1 pr jeans - GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 sets plastic tweezers - RECYCLING
1 plastic fork - RECYCLING
1 plastic spoon - RECYCLING
1 plastic knife - RECYCLING
1 pr trousers - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 broken wine glasses - BIN
1 melon baller - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 lace scarf - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT (2)
1 hot-water bottle cosy
1 beanie

TOTALS
IN 15
OUT 23
NETT OUT 8
SIAA 2

She talks o' rank and fashion

My Old Flame knows that the quickest way to a woman's heart is through the chest cavity and failing that, knit-related anything. See what appeared in my in-box this morning. Now, if we could just teach that model to knit...

And gallant Sir Robert, deep-read in old wines

Ah, a weekend when our only responsibilities were the fur children - frankly much easier to tend than our human dependents and we can lock them outside when they get really annoying.

It was pretty cruisy. No knitting, but we did manage a trip to the Lifeline Bookfair (the Old Flame, although a keen reader and bargain hunter, was a Bookfair virgin), where I bought very, very little - four vintage patterns for the collection and three knitting books.


James Norbury's Traditional Knitting Patterns: from Scandinavia, the British Isles, France, Italy and Other European Countries - fantastic stitch dictionary. Too good to leave behind at $4.
I tried to resist This Woolcraft one but it was $3 and I was powerless against the siren call of the Alice Starmore's "Marina". There's other interesting patterns too - a Kaffe Fasset tapestry design and some Debbie Bliss deliciousness among others. See - gorgeous - had to have that chubby little baby!

I love the vibe at the Bookfair craft book tables. It's never cut-throat as I'm informed the Sci-Fi/Fantasy tables are. Like craft communities everywhere, there is generosity, good humour and helpfulness. This time there was a quilter, an embroiderer, a crocheter and a couple of knitters - we happily passed each other books - making recommendations, laughing at the eighties knits and generally having as good a time as you can without needles.

There was also a little cleaning out up at Mum's. A year of the Seven Things Challenge is good preparation for the sad task of clearing out Dad's stuff. It's still not easy, but I'm having no way near the hideous time my brother is. He'd like to keep our childhood home as a museum. With everyone's permission, we tackled a small portion of Under The House.

Dad had dug out Under The House, concreted it and put in electric light and power outlets. It became his workshop and family storage space. It is the size of half a decent sized three bedroom home and it's absolutely chokka. Dad rarely disposed of anything but at least he was pretty neat. OF and I dealt with the wine (my brother doesn't drink) and some of the toys, games, luggage and obvious "outs" such as the plastic meat trays, ice cream and yoghurt containers kept for seed propagation. I also reclaimed my drill bit set that Dad confiscated because they "were too good for a woman".

Here's the wine that (a) won't fit in my wine cupboard and (b) is probably a bit previous now and we'll be lucky to get 1 in 4 bottles worth drinking. Cheers, Dad.


I'm researching how to make red wine vinegar - does anyone have a gallon jug with a spigot and/or some vinegar mother?

I canna say but ye strunt rarely, owre gauze and lace

Lace - still don't love it. I can do it, I comprehend it, people I love and admire go crazy for it, it's just - I don't feel it.

Lace does not fill me with the joy and satisfaction that a good Aran pattern does.

I am prepared for eviction from the blogdom.

This pattern is Liesel by Mary Joy Gumayagay . I call it the Red Tape scarf because it is a tape yarn the exact colour as the red tape I still find tying up files in some archival collections. The yarn, South West Trading Company Oasis Solid soy silk, was a charitable donation. It was knitted in response to a request for items for a breast cancer charity exhibition and sale but got side-tracked and didn't get it to my bespoke blocker quickly enough.

It's pretty and looks lovely on the freshly blossoming crab apple. I'll hang on to it for the next charitable request/raffle prize etc.

Your darkest terrors may be vain, Your brightest hopes may fail

Abby by Amy Singer from the latest Knitty in vintage Villawool Suriaplagas - 80% alpaca, 20% nylon - as soft and light and warm as down.

I winged it with this one. There's been trouble with cowls trying to strangle me before, as what little neck I have is well padded so I wanted the finished item to be shorter than the 16" of the pattern and greater in circumference. Having only one ball of yarn which was a bit thicker than the laceweight recommended, I chose a 4.5mm needle instead of a 4mm.

Checking for gauge didn't worry me. This was such a quickie it was as easy to knit it as to trouble with a tension square and there wasn't yarn enough to spare anyway.

I underestimated the thickness of the yarn and overestimated the thickness of my neck. The dratted thing swims and it hasn't even blocked it yet. And no, it can't be unravelled and reknitted because the brushed alpaca sticks like the proverbial to a blanket.

Ah well, can't win 'em all and it's still warm and softer than a baby's bum.

Seven Things Week 56

Back on track. Well, sort of. This week was helped by the fact I couldn't and can't get to the Lifeline Bookfair. Another Holy Day of Obligation on the bargain shopper's calendar, I couldn't go due to staffing shortages at work.


IN (6)
3 balls Cleckheaton Studio Mohair - Vinnies $4
1 bag fibre from the gorgeous Mandie - fibre club
1 set stitch markers, ditto
1 magazine - subscription

OUT (57)
20 vintage knitting patterns - destashed via Rav and the blog
7 books - BOOKCROSSING
4 books - GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 Tupperware containers -GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 ball sock yarn - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pr socks - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 cordless drill -GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 bolt fabric - GIFTS & DONATIONS
6 magazines - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 DVDs - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 top - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pr trousers - GIFTS & DONATIONS
3 coathangers - RECYCLING
1 vest - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 cushion - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 watch - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 clothes horses - BIN

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT (4)
2 TTWCS
1 pr socks
1 cowlette

TOTALS

IN 6

OUT 57

NET OUT 51

SIAA 4

And stockings and pumps to put on my stumps

Socks for the Old Flame which I am calling Snow Gum.


Opal 6ply donated by the Happy Spider, knitted on 3.25mm Knit Picks dpns (also a gift from Spidey as it happens - I'm converted to these needles, btw, they do make the knitting quicker and lighter).

Basic 56 stitch recipe but with foot done over 60 stitches. The heel is slip stitched on the purl row, slipping the same stitch each time. I rather like the effect.

Seven Things Week 55

IN (2)
1 pr waterproof trousers for next ski season $5 -Vinnies.
1 knitting pattern $1 -Salvos.

OUT (7)
7 books - BOOKCROSSING

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT
nothing finished this week

TOTALS

IN 2

OUT 7
NETT OUT 5
SIAA 0

But when, alas! he multiplies himself

It has come to this, a vintage knitting pattern destash.

Check out my flickr set for what's available. Vintage pattern books are$4, $2 or $1 each plus postage. There are also 3 issues of Spin-Off which are $5 each.

All patterns sold as is. These are vintage patterns. There are signs of use. Some have been hole punched.

If you see something you want, please email me with the name of the image, eg. Patons 123, and your address so I can check what postage will be. Generally, a single pattern within Australia will be $1.10 but if you want more than one pattern, that will change.

Direct credit into my nominated bank account only.

peggysmum AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk

Seven Things Week 54

These are the weeks that happen to collectors. Salvos stores in Wagga Wagga and Canberra gave up knitting patterns that fitted the collection development plan and generous people gave me yarn.

IN (49)
33 vintage knitting patterns - Salvos Wagga Wagga and Mitchell
12 balls wool - gift
1 pyrex dish - Salvos Mitchell
1 Tupperware container - Salvos Mitchell
2 prs trackie daks - gift

OUT (43)
2 dresses - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 prs trousers - GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 blouses - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 vest - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 bras - BIN
2 coats - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 pairs boots - GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 prs jeans - GIFTS & DONATIONS
17 tops - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 rubbish bin - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pyrex dish - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 basket - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pkt bias binding - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 pieces fabric - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 DVD - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT (1)
1 Time Thief Watch Cap - pathetic, I know.

TOTALS

IN 49
OUT 43
NETT OUT -6
SIAA 1

(No) Knitting on the Road

The forward momentum in my body has finally ceased, I'm caught up with the washing and the ironing and the house is almost liveable again.

From Thursday night until late Sunday night there was a lot of travelling (I lost count of how many times I drove the GDE but despite good intentions and excellent preparation, circumstances conspired for there to be very little knitting.

Thursday night 60k round trip to drop things off, see friends and buy stuff for Friday.
KNITTING: 0

Friday drove to Wagga Wagga, that fabulous inland city, to collect Mum who'd been in Leeton for a week with her sister. Aunty Marj had business to do in Wagga so instead of a 10 hour round trip to get Mum, it was only 6 hours. No trip to Wagga is complete without a tour of the shops d'op and lunch with Kate. Had a lovely couple of hours with Kate and the charming Tilly (cannot believe she's already a year old). Much knitterly chat, a very yummy lunch (thanks Kate) and a couple of rounds of a sock and it was off to collect Mum. Our designated meeting place, St V de P in Peter Street. There was nothing to buy at Vinnies because Kate had already bagged 15 balls of Cleckheaton 5ply for $8 that morning. It's at my house now awaiting a custom over-dye by Spidey, because not many of us can wear lemon. I'd already bought 18 vintage knitting patterns at the Salvos. Not enough time to visit Faye's new shop, unfortunately, despite the pull of the Jo Sharp motherload that is there.
KNITTING: maybe 4 rounds of a 6ply sock (224 stitches)

Back to Canberra Friday night with just enough time to drop and settle Mum and race over the other side of town to collect the Old Flame, drop stuff off 3/4 the way back to my place and then to the pictures, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at ANU Film Group - loved it, completely OTT, favourite quotation (John Hurt as Prof. Oxley): "How much of human life is lost in waiting?"
KNITTING: 0

Saturday was a long sleep-in, light op-shopping (more vintage patterns and some Tupperware), groceries, ferrying people about and preparing for Sunday.
KNITTING: Cast on 2 TTWCs and knitted 12 rounds in double rib (1232 stitches)

Sunday - rose at 3am, shower, dress, load car, buy fabulous egg and bacon rolls at the G-Spot food caravan in Gungahlin and board bus for 4.15am departure for the snow. Eat egg and bacon roll (known as a Complete Bastard if you want to order one), snuggle up to the Old Flame, sleep until Jindabyne.

Arrive Bullocks Flat, decant self and gear for the day, catch Skitube to Perisher. Help set up finishing line for Kosciusko Tour , cook second breakfast

(that's porridge with fresh chopped strawberries and toasted coconut cooked over a spirit stove) looking at this view.

Absolutely fabulous day. The first racer came in under 56 minutes, the last took about 3 hours. Weather was perfect. Sunny, not much wind and the threatening storm held off until much later in the day. Didn't even need to wear my gloves, which was good, because I was taking photographs of the racers as they crossed the finish line.

Skitube to Blue Cow for the presentations and a very late lunch. This was really the only chance to knit of the day - pity I'd left the knitting on the bus at Bullock's Flat.

Skitube back to Bullocks Flat, back on the bus, snuggle up to the Old Flame, sleep from Jindabyne to Canberra.
KNITTING: 0

Unpack car, reload my car, home by 9.30. Explode contents of bags over living room and realise I've left current socks in progress on dresser at OF's.
KNITTING: 0

Who'd have thought a long weekend of virtually no knitting could be so enjoyable!

TOTAL KNITTING 1456 stitches

Freebies

Up for grabs are two x 2-for-one movie deals for the Dendy in Canberra.

Welcome to the Sticks valid from 4/09 until then end of the run

and Caramel valid from 25/09 until end of run

Please email me with your choice of film if you want one of these.
Peggysmum AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk.

Perspex*

Conversation with the Old Flame a few weeks ago-

OF (removing his elastic-sided boots): I'm going to have to get rid of these boots.

TAPH: Really? Why?

OF: They've stretched and are a bit too loose.

TAPH: Can't you take them into RM Williams' and have them fixed?

OF: I could ... or ...

TAPH: Or?

OF (smiling winsomely): Or I could wear thicker socks.

TAPH: Ahh (realisation dawns). Well there goes the 5ply stash.

Simple Socks by Sarah Golder, Yarn issue 5, Jan. 2007 in recycled 5ply crepe, knitted on 2.75mm dpns.

*Perspex - twice as thick (socks & me) and just as see-through (old joke)

Seven Things Week 53

Not so good this week, but not as bad as it would once have been. Would have made it but time defeated me when it came to getting rid of some books.

IN (32)
1 new summer top - SALVOS
2 Tupperware containers - YMCA GARAGE SALE
1 Pyrex casserole - YMCA GARAGE SALE
1 cone 5ply crepe - YMCA GARAGE SALE
1 book - YMCA GARAGE SALE
1 bag spinning fibre (110g) - YMCA GARAGE SALE
11 vintage Patons & Villawool patterns - YMCA GARAGE SALE
1 reel knitting-in elastic - YMCA GARAGE SALE
1 knitting mag - SUBSCRIPTION
2 Tupperware containers - AUSSIE JUNK
(total spend $22)

OUT (23)
1 decorative tin - GIFTS & DONATIONS
18 vintage & other knitting patterns - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 tops - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 scarf - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 mug - BROKEN

SIAA (2)
1 TTWC
1 pr socks

TOTALS
IN 32
OUT 23
NETT OUT -9
SIAA 2

Pump up the volume

Rising to the challenge of my conscience, behold the bulky beanies of the week.



Count 'em - 7.

Actually it's 9 beanies, but only 7 from the bulky stuff; a couple of TTWCs sneaked in as well because the bulky stuff isn't portable for waiting in queues for petrol, queues for Medicare, queues at the chemist (I've had a frustrating week).

Of course now that's done, will I have to repeat it?

I've done the sums and it's 6 a week to finish this yarn off before the end of December. Difficult, but doable - except for the crippling pain. The bulky yarn on big needles has caused excruciating neck and shoulder pain. I took the weekend off the big stuff and did only a heel of a sock and a few rounds of a 12 ply beanie. No pain.

Bugger. I'll have to slow down on the big stuff.

Seven things week 52

My brother and I recently discussed what furniture we would save from our houses in a disaster or would fight a spouse for in a split. Not that he is anticipating a split from his beloved wife, but we needed some drastic parameters.

Apart from the usual photos, family papers etc, for me what it came down to was this -

• the matching wing-back and companion chair I purchased at Salvos Fyshwick in 1992 which were reupholstered by my parents as a house-warming gift when I bought my first flat in 1994


• Great-Grandfather Cameron's chest of drawers


• Great-Grandfather Buchanan's sideboard


• the lovely bed a dear friend made when I bought this house

Now it could just be that I don't form attachments to things but you and I both know that is not true at all - if I had to choose, though, that would be it (and I could sacrifice the bed if I had to).

Then a more dangerous question came to mind - why am I keeping the other things?

Well some things need to be kept because they are useful. The dining table and chairs (which really should be replaced), the sofa (also should be replaced), the spare bed, bedside tables, bookcases etc. - even though I wouldn't die in a ditch over them, they are handy, they just don't have much meaning beyond that and I do like things to have meaning. But some of the mis-matched and downright ugly book cases? The various and varied cupboards and chests of drawers? The assorted chairs? How much do they add to the enjoyment of my home?

So I did a bit of a stocktake and created a plan of action. Ther is now a furniture disposal schedule which will see quite a few items disappear from this house and my life, and, in the case of the bookcases, some of the contents as well. I hope to raise enough from the sale of some items to finance the purchase of new ones, but generally don't intend replacing what is leaving. The plan is for an item of furniture out, or possibly repurposed, every month or so for the next six to twelve months.

IN (3)
1 knitting machine - LONG STORY
1 knitting magazine - SUBSCRIPTION
1 jacket - GIFT

OUT (64)
1 ball sock yarn - PRICE OF THE KNITTING MACHINE
3 prs pyjamas - RAG BAG
1 jacket - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 dress - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 belt - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 jewellry box - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 large bag kitty litter - GIFTS & DONATIONS
5 prs shorts - GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 prs pants - GIFTS & DONATIONS
14 t-shirts - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 laundry basket - BIN
10 balls yarn - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pr earrings - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 knitting patterns - GIFTS & DONATIONS
12 books - BOOK CROSSING
1 tin of sewing stuff - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 watches - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 nighties - RAG BAG
1 coat - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SIAA (9)
9 beanies

TOTALS
IN 3
OUT 64
NETT OUT 61
SIAA 9

Milestones

Nanna turns 90 today. Happy birthday Nan.

She's already told us that no-one at the nursing home is to know she is 90 - she will admit to 84 at most.

What should be a happy day is also a sad one. Today we bury her youngest brother.

Long time readers might remember Uncle Jack and the story of his Fair Isle cardie.

Think global, knit local

This was such great yarn to knit with. A sproingy 12ply weight, 2ply yarn with just a little bit of vegetable matter left in. The ball band describes it as "a natural, undyed fleece product from coloured sheep growers of Canberra/Monaro."

I can't remember which local op-shop it came from but it's local yarn, bought locally (twice) and going to a local charity (twice). Who says it isn't easy being green?