Knit Focus - Cosy

This is the current cosy - a neck cosy.  It's a bigger project than most of the cosies will be.

I started it in November in a moment of desperation - I was at TOF's, I'd completed a project and had nothing on the needles with me and a whole Sunday at my disposal.

This is why there is an emergency stash of sock yarn in my undies drawer.  What I didn't have were needles of the correct size for socks so this project is a skinny scarf on 3mm needles. 

The pattern is Autumn Leaves by Patricia Tan.  It is a simple biased lace pattern which gives wonderful colour and movement and breaks up the self-striping sock yarn beautifully. It also looks lovely with the left over christmas sweets.  I've knitted it intermittantly between projects or as a car passenger etc.  It grows slowly.

I am bored as bat shit by it now and just want it done.  It lives in my locker and I work on it for 20 minutes or so at lunch time.  It should be finished any month now.

It will be about 3m long when done and as it curls like nothing else. I really hope it blocks flat.

There's more focus knitting this weekend because I forgot to pack an "at home" project for the weekend and only have simple socks with me.  Socks last seen here. Yes, I am on the foot of the second sock and no I haven't replenished the emergency sock yarn stash.  All that's in my undies drawer at the moment are undies. 

Seriously

Setting aside the abomination of choc chips in hot cross buns it's the 5th of January!

Perhaps they are getting in early for next Christmas?

Stash Focus

2011 saw a nett reduction of stash.  I gave a huge amount away for a variety of charitable and other purposes but there was a fair bit come in, too.

So this year I get to enjoy some of it.  So I'm joining Ann at Shades of Shetland (go admire her colourwork and her Westies) in a yarn diet (of sorts).

I'm not going to buy any yarn until I've knitted 2 proper garmentsfrom stash; either vests, jumpers or cardies. 

I'm allowed to receive gifts, but not solicit gifts.  Swaps are fine.

I'm allowed to buy a pattern if it's in my queue as of 1 January 2011, but not after.

I am allowed to buy necessary equipment but purchases need to be funded from extra income earned because this year's knitting budget is $0 - we have bigger fish to fry than my fibre obsession  (I've been sorting out my sewing and knitting patterns - watch this space next week).

I am allowed get out of gaol free cards for the wool and fibre days at the Old Bus Depot Markets and if it's unbeatable op-shop bargain you know it's coming, but it needs to be in a project amount and an equivalent amount of yarn already in stash has to be removed. That should focus my mind a bit.

So what am I going to knit?

OUT AND ABOUT PROJECTS

• There is always a pair of standard socks on the needles for muscle-memory knitting. (stash yarn only)
• We have a year long fundraiser going on at work.  The theme is '"cosy"and my colleagues (many of who are talented artists and crafters) are contributing raffle prizes.  I'll be knitting cosies all year.  These items will be knitted during lunch hours etc. so my colleagues can watch the progress and feel involved.  (stash yarn only)

AT HOME PROJECTS

• I have a couple of WIPs to finish including a large blanket for the footy season (it's 50% done) and a shawl and a pair of kilt hose for TOF so they'll get worked on at home and one of those needs to be finished before I cast on a garment
• I would like a couple of vests and a cardigan or two and TOF would like a jumper.  I'm not saying I'll finish his jumper because the only style we agree on is in a largely unobtainable pattern.  I'll work on getting the pattern, then worry about the knitting. (stash yarn only)

Right. I have some knitting to do. Chat later.

Cornstalks

How was your New Year's Eve?  Mine looked like this.

Time was, reading was one of the things that defined me.  One of the reasons I knit is because I can knit and read at the same time (rather than cross-stitch, embroidery or some other needlecraft I enjoyed).

Reading dropped off as caring for Mum became more demanding.  I didn't have the brainspace or the time for someone else's story.  For other carers books become a refuge but for me it wasn't so - there was always something else that needed to be done.

So I am becoming a reader again, or trying to.  Over the Christmas break I read the third of Kate Grenville's books about the fictional Thornhill family in colonial Australia.

Sarah Thornhill is both the title and protagonist of the book.  Sarah is the youngest child of William Thornhill, a transported convict and his wife, Sarah.  She is a currency lass or cornstalk - the first generation of European children born in the colony of NSW. These books have their inception in Grenville's own family history. 

When the first of the trilogy, The Secret River, was released, it caused a debate about fiction and history and Grenville has obviously emerged bruised from the engagement. 

For me, both The Secret River and Sarah Thornton are obviously fiction (while being based on some family history). It is up to the reader to pursue the history and neither is presented as actual history.
The novel explores the issues of being rootless, of disposession and the disposessed, generational guilt and Reconciliation. The themes are very current and it seems to me rather blugeons the reader - it doesn't feel subtle. There is a definite agenda being pushed.

The book presents some stylistic issues.  There is no indication of direct speech which really annoys me.  Without quotation marks for speech I find myself having to think about whether the words are spoken or descriptive and it detracts from the meaning of the words if I'm worried about the construction.

Speaking of construction, does anyone know if toe-up sock knitting was current in the 1830s?  Knitting appears in the hands of Sarah's sister who is reported as being half way up the leg of a stocking.  It niggled but is a minor concern.

The second book of the trilogy, The Lieutenant, is in the pile beside my bed. The books are stand-alone and can be enjoyed singly or in any order.  And they are very enjoyable.  Grenville continues to be a favourite author.  The Idea of Perfection (the 1999 Orange Prize winner) is one of my favourite novels.

Focus 2012

The theme for this year is FOCUS.

2011 was difficult and focus was split, changed and generally did some weird folk dance I wasn't in control of.

2012 and the focus is back.

I will be focussing on getting back on track financially. 2011 saw budgets get very loose as the time to manage them was sucked up by caring emergencies and savings went to pay Rosies' vet bills etc. I've done the sums for this year. It's scary but we can do it.

I'll be focussing on some health issues.  I started hydrotherapy late 2011 to assist with arthritis related pain.  It's going well, and I will be spending more time in the pool and later the gym, to help with taking the strain off my joints.

Focus on enjoying what I have more: my miraculous relationship, my challenging family, my fortunate education; my possessions.  I don't need more things, I need more focus.

12 in 11 December Update

It's so unlikely that I'll buy anything today I thought I would get in early.

This month I finally found the dress I needed for the ball back in October.  An actual proper formal frock in a daring bright red that fitted very nicely.  So I bought it.  The next ball is not until April 2013, but for $7 I'm prepared and who knows what fashion emergencies 2012 will bring.

I overspent my clothing allowance by 7 items (more than 50%) 19/12.

Not a brilliant result, but my goodness it was a fascinating experience.  While still buying most items second hand (one retail purchase only and that an emergency funeral buy), I learned to focus on quality, cut and colour to make the most out of what was already in the wardrobe.

I really do have a capsule of basics now, at least for the cool weather.

I took the lessons I learned about cut in particular and have culled my sewing pattern library (Ravellers, look for a destash soon) to leave me with a handful of patterns that suit in styles I prefer to wear.

Despite failing at 12 in 11 I'm up for it again. Not because I like to fail, but because I like to try. These challenges teach me things about myself and assist in least making me better aware of my shortcomings even when they are not completely overcome. It helps keep me focussed and this year focus is particularly necessary.

There are 3 known items on the 2012 "to buy" list

• a pair of replacement Mary Janes. Even by the redoubtable Jhay the Cobbler is unable to repair the last pair.
• an outfit for Junior's wedding in December. I may make the frock, but I'm going to keep a couple of items in reserve just in case I need to buy a dress and shoes for the wedding.

The usual rules will apply. A flurry of yarn purchases in December (birthday and Christmas gifts to myself) ensured that I have some truly lovely garment quantities of yarn to use. I also came across a couple of caches of gorgeous fabrics in an op-shops in December and bought several. It is a sign of maturity that most of that cache was left for others to enjoy.   I look forward to creating with some of the lovelies that came home.

How I clutter my home

This spinner doll was in the 50c bin at the Salvation Army shop.  Couldn't leave her behind.

Looking Forward

Just because it's Summer now, doesn't mean I'm happy about it. Apart from stone fruit and skinny dipping, I don't like much about Summer.

While we were at Manuka Oval yesterday we checked out our latest investment.  Seats in the members' stand for the three Greater Western Sydney Giants Australian Rules Football matches next year.  It's as close as we will get ot a Canberra team in the AFL and we aren't going to miss out.

The Manuka Oval website doesn't have a detailed seating plan, so we had to book our tickets without knowing exactly where they were.

I'm sitting in one of our seats.  The bag and hat are on the other.

Am I pleased?  See for yourself.

Four rows from the highest point in the stand; on the aisle; only two people to bother us getting up and down; right on the left edge of the centre square; under the roofline.  Fabulous!

Bring on Winter.

Signs of Summer

Despite the coolish day, it is summer. And summer means cricket.

Knitting a Citron with laceweight kid mohair at Manuka Oval. 

Tasmania defeated NSW by four runs in a one day match.

Citron requires one more repeat and a ruffle and it, too, will be vanquished.

12 in 11 November Update

I spent $20 at the St Vincent de Paul garage sale in November.

For me - a pair of new with tags (English brand marked at 30 pounds) $5; a pair of RM Williams riding boots $4; a pair of Kumfs heels $4. The boots and shoes are very lightly worn.

TOF scored a pair of Thomas Cook boots (brand new) $4, and a pair of polar fleece ski pants $3

The helpful ferret is a resident but going cheap.

So I added 3 items to bring my total of purchases to 18 for 2011.

Delighted by crochet

We saw much sheepy goodness in New Zealand.  That was expected.

There's a sculptor living in Omarama who has added larger than life fish and sheep to the town's streetscapes.

There's a crocheter living in Omarama with a sense of humour.

The yarn-bombing was delightfully unexpected and well thought out.  Thosed crocheted toes are stuffed with microfibre or similar.

Get 'em while they are young

Fate?

Dunno about Australia, but I literally rode on the sheep's back!

My nanna and me September? 1967, "Sunnyglee", Jerilderie, NSW.

I was 20 months old.  If you look closely, I'm wearing a handknitted bonnet and jumper.  The corduroy overalls would have been cut down from a pair of trousers belonging to my grandfather or uncle.  The jumper would have been reknitted from one of their old jumpers, too.  Mum made all my clothes, mostly from recycled materials.

Mum and I lived with her parents while Dad served in Vietnam. My grandparents raised sheep and wheat at Jerilderie. There are always lambs that are hand-reared. The one I'm sitting on was probably one of the house lambs that year.

Knit Couture?

Picked this up from the blog Damn You Alexis. It's a D&G apres ski blouse.

Surprisingly - I think this is cute.  Certainly not for this little black duck to wear - the shape's all wrong - but cute.

I responded to the colour first, but the whimsy of the fair-isle print is very appealing.

12 in 11 October update

The temptation to go all out this month because I've blown the challenge already was quite strong.

I resisted.  Mostly.

My will power was not so steely as to withstand a pair of as new Birkenstocks for $1.50.  I had to look a couple of times in case it was $15.  All mine for less than the price of a bus ticket. I've never had Birks before - I may be grateful that the investment was so low.

Quota Used 16/12.

So in answer to Louisa's question - yes, I'll be keeping track. 

I've learned that I really do wear 20% of my wardrobe 80% of the time, or at least something approaching it.  I was very, very resistant to wearing some of the my clothes.  My first instinct was to replace tired favourites with close replicas rather than use the other items.  So I'm embracing that.  Unused/resisted items during this challenge have been disposed of.  The wardrobe is looking a bit minimal, but that's ok.

I've analysed what's left over so have a fair idea of my minimum needs and am developing a succession plan.

As I buy almost all of my clothes second hand, and am a difficult size, I give myself permission to acquire quality garmets to replace the already tatty or soon to be tatty as they are found.  The one in one out rule will apply.

Tops for work are knit fabrics in the main.  Buying them second hand means they usually only have one or two seasons in them.  I will allow myself to buy the better quality tops when I see them in op-shops etc but I will confine purchases to fabrics and cuts which will last longer.  In theory, a well-constructed garment in a natural fibre can be maintained for longer than one from a man-made fibre.  Certainly fine woollen knit tops with hand-washing and regular depilling last years. It's not possible to successfully depill a standard poly-cotton t-shirt.  I've tried.

Ditto, trousers and skirts. Ás I find suitable woollen or linen pants and skirts the synthetic blends will be retired.


Natural fibres are easier to over-dye than synthetics.  Black linen and cotton tops which have greyed a little can be resurrected in a dye-bath.

Natural fibres also require less laundering as they "breathe" better than synthtic fibres.  Synthetic and synthetic blend garments need washing every wear which increases their environmental impact in terms of electricity, chemical and water load, and they wear out sooner.

I am also committed to maintaining what I have rather than buying replacements.  I've found a good cobbler.  It isn't cheap to have shoes resoled or boots reinforced but if the item is good quality to begin with, it will stand a few repairs and it's still cheaper than buying the a replacement in an equivalent quality.  And much, much more environmentally sustainable.

And if all this sounds a bit controlled and dull - boring black uniform with sturdy shoes - it would be if it weren't for accessories and I can knit or sew my own.

And I'm kind of tempted by trying for 12 in 12.

12 in 11 September Update

Baby done a bad, bad thing.

Blew out the challenge in September while we were in NZ.

No defence, no excuses, just did.

Quota Used 15/12

Op shopping in a new country is fun.  Some of the brands were familiar but not all of the specialist sizings that I look for. It was a bit of a test of my ability to assess quality and cut based on the garment rather than the label. 

This challenge has led me to assess what it is I need in clothing and my preferences for colour and shape.  If I couldn't just have it, I had to assess each item.  It's a good skill to acquire and hone. 

So, what did I get that was worth blowing the challenge for?

• 1 pr Blundstone steel cap boots, new in box from Salvos $10 (we have some major landscaping and gardening ahead of us and these are perfect to protect my tootsies from falling pavers etc.)
• 1 pr strappy sandally heels to wear to this accursed ball $6 from Salvos. 
• 2 jumpers; one is a tunic style that has seen some wear already and another in a henley style which has replaced my baggy saggy, pre-weightloss winter favourite (already gone to the op shop).  Both are in green shades, one a light gumleaf olive, the other a bright kiwi green.  Both are medium guage.  $23 the pair from Save Mart.
• 1 moleskin shirt for football and outdoor wear next autumn/winter replacing the way too large pincord shirt I have been wearing for years. $6 Salvos.
• 1 jacket for work.  I am expected to travel more for work in the next couple of years, so I picked up a dressier jacket in non-crushable knit.  $20 Vinnies.  Yes, a lot more than I usually pay but this is an excellent brand and fit and slips in the my mix and match wardrobe really well.  Retail it would be about $200, so I'm pleased.

Exempt

Knickers bought just before we left for NZ.  These replace the daggies worn and abandoned in NZ. 

Bra, new with tags from Save Mart in Invercargill.  $15.

Hosiery - found 5 pairs of new in packets stockings and tights in op shops including electric blue stockings for an average $1.50 a pair.  Given one pair of pantihose retail is $12, I'm a happy hosiery freak.

We left most of our travelling clothes and shoes in NZ, returning only with our "new" purchases and a change of shirt and undies.  Fate handed us a woman of size at the caravan park the evening before our departure.  She was in town to watch her brother play for the Fiji Rugby Team.  She gladly took our clothes for her family and we were delighted they went to a welcoming home.

Since we've been back wardrobe culling continues with several bags full off to op shops as new items were washed and put away and the winter wardrobe turned over to spring and summer.

Bonnet

What 7am looked like yesterday.

Working on a commission to be delivered on Sunday.  A soon to be born grandchild is in need of a bonnet and better-than-boottees socks. 

The socks will take 6 hours to complete so I'm working on the bonnet first.  The design and yarn was left to my discretion, as long as it was white.  The vintage Patonyle (60% wool, 40% nylon in 25g balls) has been in stash for some time.  It was purchased second-hand and I have 3 balls. The bonnet is going to take just over one ball and I'll get the socks out of the remainder of that ball.  A lovely set for 50g of yarn.

The pattern is vintage Patons and written for for 3ply, but using smaller needles in a ribbed/lacy ribbed garment means sizing won't be an issue.  This will fit from about 3mos on. As we don't know the gender of the baby, I'm figuring lemon ribbons for the ties.  All materials are from stash.

Traditional Fathers' Day

I nearly burst a pfooffa valve the other night watching an advertisment.  Can't remember what it was advertising, but the gist was "don't give Dad socks for Fathers' Day".

I am happy to report that TOF doesn't think socks are a naff present for Fathers' Day.

He loves his handknits and knows how much love they represent and appreciate that the animals cared enough to commission me to make them.  He likes his new Wallabies jersey and the bottle of whiskey as well.

12 in 11 August Update

Quota Used 10/12


I bought a frock for the ball in October.  More a maxi than a formal frock, but for $6 from the Salvos it's long and floaty and will do.  I need to take it in a bit, but will wait until we return from NZ.

Given the big freeze in NZ a couple of weeks ago, I bit the budgetary bullet and ordered a down jacket from Canada.  I can't get one to fit here, and I've tried.  Less than $200 including postage and I will be warm.

Exempt Items

The silk thermals I bought to wear in NZ come under the heading of underwear so they don't count.

Treats

TOF hit the jackpot this week and brought home a lovely book -  Simply Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free by Grace Cheetham.  It's has some interesting takes on traditional treats and desserts as well as meal recipes.  Between us, we can eat neither gluten, dairy, mushrooms nor beef. We don't really have a problem with meals, but treats, oh treats....

Today's treat is our take on Grace's chocolate and fig biscuits.  As we couldn't find our stash of dried figs from last year's plunder of public fig trees in Canberra, we subbed dried apricots. The chocolate called for was a 70% cocoa solids, but we used Whittaker's 50% bitter sweet because it was open and is still dairy free.

Total win.  The resulting biscuit was moist but not mushy and we got 15 biscuits.  A darker chocolate would give a richer result and I can't wait to try it with figs.

12 in 11 July update

Nothing at all to report this month.  Nothing new came in either by purchase or by gift.

QUOTA USED 8/12

Not really wanted much, although we have a ball to go to in October, and I have nothing to wear.  I got rid of all the evening wear when I lost weight and it's the last thing to be replaced.

Finding a ball gown is impossible and I haven't the inclination to sew.  I suspect it will be cocktail length rather than formal length this time around.

While I was on leave in June I threw a few pale and/or stained items into a dye bath.  I now have several indigo coloured revamps - just like new clothes.  Hope to turn a few of my navy shoes black this month as I've had to get rid of some old favourites recently and the work shoe situation is getting dire.