Where Infamy with sad Repentance dwells

A trip to Goulburn on Saturday night for a family function was made complete by a sighting of Todd Carney at the Soldiers Club. Glad to see they had him locked up.

I am my mammny's ae bairn

More Canberra stencil art. These are on another low retaining wall, this time behind the Salvos shop at Jamieson. The wee foetus has been there a while but the capsule is new.

Without a penny in my purse, To buy a meal to me

Completely impossible to chat, enjoy hospitality, absorb an exhibition and take photos at the same time - I'm completely in awe of those who manage it.


The Old Flame is getting into the culturvorian spirit. He took me for a cup of tea prior to TSS's exhibition opening - free tasting at T2 in the Canberra Centre!


Then on to the opening. The crapicity of the photos is, perhaps, due to the constant wee wee jiggle of excitement.

TSS with TTWC at the opening (that's a VIP talking in centre shot).

The Old Flame checks out my favourite, the Kaleidoscope House.

And here's my favourite "accessory", the Macgregor's wee Westie.

Seven Things Week 58

It rather looks like I'm not trying. Not quite true. I'm spending a fair bit of time dealing with Dad's accumulation of papers and realia. It takes a lot of emotional energy - far more than dealing with my own stuff. I have to be fair to everyone involved, negotiate with the rest of the family, find places for things to go and then physically remove them. I'm just starting on his library. As I gave him most of the books in it, and it is quite extensive, and as he insisted on a dedication for every book, I'm reliving birthdays, Christmases and Fathers' Days and it's fucking tough. So if I don't have the wherewithall at home to do more than create garter stitch scarves in garish colours and worry about not finding seven things of my own to dispose of, you'll just have to bear with me.

IN (3)
1 Tupperware container - new, I had a little accident at a Tupperware party a couple of weeks ago
2 knitting magazines - newsagency on a low day when VK was in stock. I'm only human.

OUT (10)
1 pr jeans - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 coffee measure, broken - BIN
8 balls yarn - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT (4)
2 TTWCs
2 scarves

TOTALS

IN 3
OUT 10
Nett out 7
SIAA 4

owre the wee bit cup an' platie

I have my invitation to the opening of the year and I even have a period-appropriate ensemble to wear (as opposed to a theme-appropriate ensemble - no one needs to see me in a mini!) and I'm doing the wee wee jiggle in anticipation.

Should a blast. I'm really looking forward to seeing TSS's collection in a new light particularly my favourite, the Kaleidoscope House.

If you're in Canberra anytime between now and 26 January - get thee to Canberra Museum and Gallery for The Shopping Sherpa's exhibition of modern dolls' houses.

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?

The voices told me to

Sunday night conversation at Taph Towers.

CONSCIENCE: Hmm, so how's that challenge to knit all the bulky yarn by Christmas going, Taph?

TAPH: Well, Conscience, I had a bit of a break last week while I finished off a scarf for a charity sale, a pair of socks for my poor old Mum with the bad circulation who lives in a cold climate and a pair of baby socks which I swapped for a dozen duck eggs. I also started and nearly finished a pair of socks for the Old Flame.

CONSCIENCE: That's an impressive list of finished objects, Taph - bet that gave you a bit of a boost. But in terms of total boodle busting that's 300g of yarn, 200g of which are pretty fine weights. Not much in the volume reduction, is it?

TAPH: Yes, I did feel good finishing things off but you're right, I did set myself that challenge and I'd like to see it through. So here you go, two completed hats from the bulky yarn and the plan is to make one a day this week. The Old Flame loaned me season one of Dead Like Me and season one of Dexter - perhaps I won't go completely insane if I knit while watching those.

CONSCIENCE: Good plan, Taph. Let's chat again next Sunday night.

Beanies 2008.080 and 2008.081

Seven Things Week 51

IN (3)
1 shirt ( brand new $7 Salvos)
1 textiles magazine (subscription)
1 ball sock yarn (gift)

OUT (92)
9 DVDs - GIFTS & DONATIONS
15 beanies - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 tams - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 bag - GIFTS & DONATIONS
7 scarves - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 vest - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 doona cover - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pillow case - GIFTS & DONATIONS
22 placemats - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 bunch paper flowers - RECYCLING
1 lace curtain - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 completed tapestry - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 cushion covers - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 santa hat - GIFTS & DONATIONS
5 bells - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 cardigans - GIFTS & DONATIONS
12 balls yarn - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 prs socks - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pr trousers - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 ponchos - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 washing basket - BIN
1 day pack - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 leather tote - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 mug - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SIAA (7)
1 scarf
2 prs socks
4 project bags

TOTALS
IN 3
OUT 92
NETT OUT 89
SIAA 7

How to knit a winner

Kinneared at the Canberra Racecourse 8 August 2008.

The Old Flame had a work function at Thoroughbred Park and brought this home for me. Isn't he sweet? Some girls get flowers, I get pictures of knitters. Definitely prefer the knitters. This knitter is making long strips to sew into a blanket. She said it was so cold that day, though, that she might have to wear it as a scarf.

Apposite

Completely tickled to see this particular company's van outside Vinnies Belconnen on Friday.

Seven Things Week 50

Bloody hell, 50 weeks. Seriously never thought I'd still be going at this point and for those of you heartily sick of seven things (that would be me, too), I don't think the end is in sight yet. I'll be going through September at least, when The Shopping Sherpa will be joining up again.

Why? Because I really do still need this accountability. It doesn't matter if anyone else reads it and it matters even less what anyone else thinks, but it does matter that I hold myself accountable.

IN (10)
1 skirt - VINNIES ($1 for a lined straight black skirt that fits - huh!)
2 tops - VINNIES ($5.50 each)
6 vintage knitting patterns - SALVOS (25c each)
1 mug - GIFT

OUT (45)
4 shirts - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 books - BOOKCROSSING
1 scarf - GIFTS & DONATIONS
24 balls yarn - GIFTS & DONATIONS
14 mugs - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SIAA (6)
beanies

TOTALS

IN 10
OUT 45
NETT OUT 35
SIAA 6

There's a lot of good engineering in a pair of gentlemen's socks

The title is a quotation from Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day a lovely film enjoyed this evening at ANU Film Group. I met TSS as arranged and also ran into the blogless WithaQ who was knitting a lovely Annie Modesitt design.

We were chatting and knitting before the film started when TSS spied a gorgeous sock on a woman in front of us. As we'd just been discussing the etiquette of fondling hand-knits on complete strangers, TSS leaned forward and asked if the sock in question was, indeed, handknitted.

It was and the wearer declared that they were so lovely to wear it was enough to make her want to learn to knit. Now THAT'S a good review.

And the socks. Well as the cherry on the cake, they were a gift knitted by a well-known local blogger. Congrats Bells.

Two with one blow

What does a snow widow do on a cold Sunday?

A little light weeding about 8am (cold, but not too cold then), hangs out two loads of washing, went to the local farmers' market for veg shop (that's when it started snowing), and headed for Mum's house where there was coffee and fresh onion bagels with cream cheese for breakfast, central heating and knitting.

I finished the first of Mum's next pair of socks but instead of casting on the next one, made an infant sized sock (pattern by Mim Felton) from the leftovers. It was a bit hairy at the end - I finished the baby sock with 2m to spare. That whole knit-faster-so-you-don't-run-out-of-wool technique totally worked this time.

Mum finished a scarf for a friend and we had the company of various nieces and nephew, brother and SIL and very old family friends throughout the day.

And I kidnapped Rosie because Saturday and Sunday nights were definitely two dog nights . Actually they were probably three dog nights but Lochie is terrible to have on the bed, so I made do with Peggy, Rosie and a couple of heat packs.

Hats, boodle etc

So I'm still going with the hats.

One of the things that has become VERY obvious in the last almost year of "seven things" is that the yarn boodle is large, out of control and has a will of its own. Every attempt to actually cull it has resulted in at least a parity return of yarn within a couple of weeks. Given its amazing ability to regenerate (did anyone see Dr Who last night?), I've decided that the boodle doesn't really want to be given away or sold, it wants to be knitted.

Starting with the bulky stuff that takes up so much space, knit-down has begun.

6 balls of Twilley Freedom Wool became 6 beanies. The first pic is a Norah Gaughan pattern "Match Made in Heaven" from Family Circle Easy Accessories, the others are my Double Rib Beanie.



And the yarn cheese is next in the sights. Remember when I bought 49 x 8oz (215g) balls of super bulky yarn at the Smith Family? Well it was a while ago, and it was the yarn that necessitated the Double Rib pattern. I'm now working on a variation or two to keep me from becoming catatonic with boredom. The goal is to knit this entire collection up by Christmas.

Not completely there with the cabled version yet - I'll give it another go tonight.

Seven Things Week 49

In which the clothes get it. The spontaneous purchase of a rather lovely and new! cardigan and the gift of undies from my mother sent me to the cupboards again this week. Apparently I do still have too many clothes that I don't wear, don't like or which don't fit.

IN (3)

2 prs undies
1 cardigan

OUT (17)
5 cardies - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 tank top - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 skivvies - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 vest - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 ruana - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 beanie - - GIFTS & DONATIONS
3 prs trousers - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 shirt - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 pr socks - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 prs undies - BIN


SIAA (8)
6 beanies
1 pr socks
1 scarf

TOTALS
IN 3
OUT 17
NETT OUT 14
SIAA 8

Good knit week

TSS, J, the Old Flame and I took in Lars and the Real Girl at ANU Film Group. It was an odd, sweet film which we all enjoyed. For TSS and I, the bonus was the knitwear. The opening shot shows Lars draped in a what appeared to be a baby blue lacey scarf. It turns out not to be a scarf, but a baby blanket knitted by his mother. He wears it constantly. Plenty of hand knits and cr***et and one scene where three women sit with Lars - one does needlework, one cr***ets and one knits. Am seriously considering trying to replicate the blanket pattern - it was very sweet.

Discover that Miss Muffin the ferret (one of two that live with the Old Flame), not only steals his socks and hides them, but has developed a taste for my hand-knitted socks. My Stanbridge socks were discovered in her lair. We have had words and I've agreed to not leave my socks within her reach.

Called in to visit the Old Flame's parents on Saturday and saw progress on his Dad's winter jumper. His Mum is about to start the last piece; it will be ready before Spring. It's a gorgeous cabled jumper in Bendigo Classic 8ply, Cranberry.

Heirloom Jigsaw 4ply - basic sock pattern

Finished the second of Mum's "whinger" socks just before the Wallabies got flogged by the All Blacks on Saturday night.

Took several goes to cast on another sock in Patonyle after attending a rather fine Cabernet Sauvignon wine tasting on Sunday.

Seven Things Week 48

IN (1)
1 pr gloves

OUT (18)
16 TTWCs - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 bras - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SIAA (6)
6 TTWCs

TOTALS
IN 1

OUT 18

NETT OUT 17
SIAA 6

White Rabbit

"No time to say hello, goodbye... " as the White
Rabbit said.

That's how it is with blogging and it's mutual
obligations. I make time most days to read what
everyone is up to through bloglines, and those of you
on Ravelry appear in my occasional forays into the
friends activity tab, but commenting has just about
dried up. I try and respond to comments left here,
but if you don't have an email address on your
profile, it probably won't happen.

I was suddenly seized on Sunday, with the need to knit
beanies. I know I'm always knitting beanies, but
usually it's just something that happens, not
something I have a real desire to do. But there you
have it. 5 beanies completed between Dr Who on Sunday
night and bedtime last night.

It's a combined compulsion to use up boodle to have
things finished.

I've also worked out I can get a women's double rib
beanie out of a 50g ball of Twilleys Freedom Wool.
Whoot - totally gunna bust that stash and it's sooo
lovely to knit with.

Trying to post this remotely - hope it works.

__________________________________________________________
Not happy with your email address?.
Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

Seven Things Week 47

Never, ever have I claimed to be good at maths. Calculators were invented for people like me. I can do minor mental arithmetic, but give me a long list of numbers and my brain melts.


As a whole year of doing the seven things challenge is in sight I thought I might check my numbers. Someone pointed out once that I'd made an error in the "ins", so I knew there would be some readjustment, possibly meaning I had a lot more ins than I thought.


Um, well, yeah, there were a few more ins but there were a LOT more outs - more than 250 nett. Not that this has really been about numbers. It's no better to get rid of 700 than 7 if one's attitude to acquisition hasn't actually changed. I'd just be swapping old stuff for new if my mindset hadn't changed - and it took a BLOODY long time to change.


Anyway, the sidebar has been changed, and individual posts will be progressively changed as I get the time. It'll take me a week or so.


IN (5)
3 prs stockings VINNIES
1 top VINNIES
1 diary cover GIFT. Tired of me moaning about how I miss my Filofax but my little one is too small now my life is complicated by having to keep track of more people than me, TSS donated a Filofaxesque cover. I'm so happy I could squeal. Just have to get the diary part - unless someone has the Filofax holepunch I could borrow and then I could disbind my current horrible diary and transform the pages. I REALLY wanted to get a PocoProfile "Canberra" in purple kangaroo leather but baulked at the $165 price tag.



OUT (42)
36 balls yarn (that bloody awful white fluffy stuff). This is a bit of a cheat. Happy Spider and I did a swap for this yarn. She got some stuff to overdye and I got this to make trim. It wasn't ball for ball but smeh - she got 36 balls back and that's what's important to me! GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 hair towels. When my hair was long, I cut up a couple of worn out bath towels to make long, narrow towels to wrap around my head after washing it. My hair is now short and I have enough facewashers, tea-towels etc. BIN
2 books BOOKCROSSING


SIAA (1)
1 TTWC
Miserable amount, but with three days of training this week, there's been no bus knitting and no tea and lunch break knitting. Apparently I get a lot done in the 15 minute each way commute and during breaks.

TOTALS
IN 5
OUT 42

NETT OUT 37
SIAA 1

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

My mother's cousin is with us for a couple of weeks. He's more like a younger brother to Mum than a cousin, having spent a lot of time at their house when they were kids. I like him a lot - much, much more than my other uncles.

He spent 10 days with us in South West Rocks last year and was with us the day we hit the motherload of handknits for the entire North coast at a Vinnies in Laurieton - on a half price sale!

It wasn't a pretty sight that day - he had to make several trips to the car for us and he spent the next week watching us unpick and unravel the very many jumpers we had found.

He must have been paying attention, though, because he arrived on Tuesday with two suitcases. One of his clothes and one of beautiful hand-knitted woollen jumpers from op-shops in his little Queensland town. Mum doesn't know whether to laugh or cry but I'm just so proud!

Snow Bunnies and other atrocities

If one has to fall in love, it might as well be with a skier.

Apart from the wonderful possibilities for creating and bestowing knitted gifts, there are the ski trips.


As well as hours of car passenger knitting (2 TTWCs - there would have been a third but the dark and deep brown yarn in small lengths defeated me on our return journey), there is après ski time. I ski not and with my crappy ankle it’s probably not a sport I'll be taking up soon – maybe next year. I do, however, have a prodigous talent for apres ski. Always go with one’s strengths!

Although our trip last Sunday did not go completely to plan, I managed a walk in the snow around Smiggin Holes/Perisher Blue for an hour and then retreated to the pub for a few hours of knitting and people watching. I promise to be more adventurous, use the snow shoes next time and actually take some photos.


The first of Mum's "Whinger" socks was finished in the hotel and the second started. So BORED by it. Really, I need more of distraction when knitting these socks than people watching.

Some of our party returned at lunch time and joined me in the hotel for the afternoon. There was hot chocolate drinking, collective noun creating and a merry game of spot the hideous beanie.

Now I know about people in glass houses etc. but we just couldn't help it. I must have missed the memo about leaving good taste at the entrance to the National Park!

Among the contenders for most revolting head wear were the baby poo yellow felted gnome hat (which beautifully coordinated with the Buchanan tartan scarf sported by the hat wearer’s partner and which I strongly suspect to be a set) and the acrylic fake Mohawk (no pics, sorry, but I’m so going to next time!). The winner, despite the stiff competition, was the result of an unholy union between Big Bird, a toilet mat and spray-on tan. Seriously, this thing was safety orange and that particular type of squeaky “plush” nylon that appeared in bathrooms in the 1970s. It was a helmet shape and worn by someone who may have been a snow bunny years ago and who had spent far too long in the snow without sunscreen.

And the collective noun? Well what would you call a group of snow bunnies? We thought, perhaps, a Hilton, but eventually agreed on a flurry of snow bunnies.


The Old Flame managed to Kinnear the only other knitter in the place. She was sitting behind us and we exchanged knitterly pleasantries to the amusement of some of my party. She was knitting a scarf of burgundy coloured boucle yarn on sparkly plastic needles. It probably wasn’t the first Smiggins SnB, but it was the only one that day.

Seven Things Week 46

Stuff of Dad's seems to be creeping into my house. Mum is clearing some things, but only the cluttery bits (2 cartons of scrap paper and old envelopes anyone?) - none of us is ready for the other kind of clearing yet. But in the last little while I've been bringing the odd thing home. The hat I made him for his Trans Siberian Railway trip so I could wear to the snow last week, an overnight bag I use each weekend and a pair of new socks to wear under my snow boots.

In the course of moving things around, though, I found a suitcase full of manchester I thought I'd already dealt with well before this challenge was begun. I bought all of it for my "glory box" about a million years ago. Bit of a problem working in the manchester department of David Jones'. I remember buying all of it and the fantasies each played a part in. I was going to have a sunny yellow kitchen, a tasteful bathroom in grey, rose pink and maroon, and crisp white table linen with black and grey silk napkins. Ah, the 80s. Anyway, I've salvaged some of it and rehomed others. I glimpse the beginning of the stuff problem - I loved all of these things so much that I never used them, because if I had, the fantasy would be gone.

IN (6)
1 overnight bag - DAD's
1 beanie - DAD's
1 pair of socks - DAD's
1 calico shopping bag - CONFERENCE GIFT
2 vests - OP SHOP ($1 each. 1 for wearing and a black handknitted one for unravelling)


OUT (50)
4 lipsticks - BIN
1 key ring - BIN
1 TTWC - GIFTS & DONATIONS
3 books - BOOKCROSSING
10 face washers - GIFTS & DONATIONS
12 napkins - GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 doylies - GIFTS & DONATIONS
8 napkin rings - GIFTS & DONATIONS
4 egg cups - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 bedspread - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 prs undies - BIN

SIAA (5)
4 TTWCs
1 Mrs Claus costume including 164" trim knitted in that hideous eyelash yarn, AND removing double sewn lace from the petticoat, taking it up 4" and resewing the lace. Remind me again how wonderful it is to DIY.

TOTALS

IN 6
OUT 50
NETT OUT 44
SIAA 5

Progress

Finally something off the needles - even if it's only some beanies for the soup kitchen.

TTWC 2008.054 vintage Jet

This is vintage Patons Jet - the old crepe kind. Despite the murky early 70s colours (it's dun-brown with dull green bits of ... what? not contrast and I hesitate to say highlights - dunno, bits will have to do). The yarn is a delight to knit with. Divine crepe producing the smoothest, evenest fabric. So love it.

TTWC 2008.055-56 hanspun wool

There were two of these TTWCs knitted in the car to Perisher and back on Sunday. The first was borrowed in the car park at Smiggins Holes by one of our party and retained. It's such a joy when someone likes an item enough to keep it - made my day. This is handspun wool in its natural colour. Mostly creamy white with some darker bits. So beautiful to knit with and very warm. Must make a drop off run to Stasia's soon.

There was another TTWC in the handspun but no photo. It looks just like these if you really need to see it.

And speaking of snow, the other item off the needles this week and finished is the 164 inches of ostrich yarn trim for my Mrs Claus outfit. I have to say it turned out quite well and is probably the only legitimate use for this hideous yarn. I used a little under 14 balls of Moda Vera Jazz held double throughout to make 5 pieces of trim. It's all sewn on the dress and the hat has a tassel. There was a pom pom but it collapsed and shed all over my dining table. NOT a pretty sight.

Seven Things Week 45

I'm just not knitting as much as I used to. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that there's less time to do it. There will be some catching up on Sunday when I spend the whole day "apres" skiing while the OF leads a tour. There will be snowy scenery, a warm fire, hot chocolate, a good book and much knitting. Bliss.

IN (17)
14 vintage knitting patterns courtesy of Kate who turned up with a fruit box full - great fun to sift through.
1 book - GIFT (forgot this from 3 weeks ago - just found it in a project bag, oops)
1 pr snow pants - had to buy new. No one gets rid of old large sized ski pants apparently
1 waterproof jacket - ditto

OUT (28)
2 coin purses
1 skirt - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 book - GIFTS & DONATIONS
2 sets soaps - GIFTS & DONATIONS
19 lanyards. Another "gunna" craft project down the reality tubes. - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 balloon whisk - rusted - BIN
1 blender - broken - BIN
1 basket - mouldy - BIN

SHAKE IT ALL ABOUT (1)
1 TTWC

TOTALS

IN 17
OUT 28
NETT OUT 11
SIAA 1

The honesty's too much

There are stages of intimacy in all relationships, right? There are points at which one takes a risk and reveals something more intimate than before - something really private, personal and important - something upon which the direction of the relationship might depend.


We reached one of those points this morning.


Old Flame saw the extent of my stash! He paled a little but took it well.

Seven Things Week 44

It was a bad week for hosiery Chez Taph, culminating in a freezing and frantic Thursday morning when I discovered there were no more black opaque tights in the drawer. Quel catastrophe! Luckily my stash of new tights is still quite large and a pair was quickly decanted, rinsed and ready for wear the next day. There is definitely an argument for having stocks of basics bought cheaply. Same goes for undies, basic black t-shirts and shoe laces.

IN (0)
See that - 0. I haven't done 0 before. It's fantastic!

OUT (10)
5 prs stockings/pantyhose - BIN.
2 sets measuring spoons - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 tea strainer - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 vest - GIFTS & DONATIONS
1 jumper - GIFTS & DONATIONS

SIAA (0)
Nothing finished, darn it, but I'm oh so close to finishing the bloody eyelash trim.

TOTALS

IN 0
OUT 10
NETT OUT 10
SIAA 0

You would even say it glows

The Blue Beret got its first outing last night and very welcome it was too.

It was cold, wet & windy last night. The maximum daytime temperature was 12 degrees and it was considerably less than that and blowy and pissing down with rain by 4.30pm when we rocked up to Canberra Stadium to sell red noses.

The aim was to sell 10,000 noses and raise $20,000 for SIDS and Kids and in the process set the world record for the most red noses in one spot.

Due to the effin awful inclement weather, the attendance at the match was less than stellar; only 9,109 to be exact. Thirty volunteers sold 5433 noses and raised more than $10,500 and probably set a world record. I think we'll call it a success.

Oh, and the Raiders lost to the Sharks 24 to 36. The umpiring was pretty bloody awful, but they were outclassed by the Sharks early on and never really got back. Pity really, and because OF's parents decided not to go to the match we had their BRILLIANT members' seats for the second half. See that, right on the 50m line (centre of the pitch), 3 rows back. I could even see Ricky Stuart's bald patch really well through the sleet. Did I mention it was cold?