The Orange Cardigan

The orange cardigan was the only thing I won in school. A local wool shop had arranged with the primary school I attended to have a story writing competition. The prize would be a bag of Patons Totem (I still like to use Totem.) The older kids at the school must have been involved. In New Zealand (where I went to school) primary school began with 'primers'; 'primer one', 'primer two' and so on. I was either in 'primer three' or 'primer four'. I was about 10 years old. Anyway, I digress. I had to write a story that advertised the value of pure wool, for school. So I wrote one.

Our house was full of stories and books, and lots of them told heroic tales of people who were mountaineers and sailors. Adventurous people. Real life heroes and heroines. So it was easy to think of a context that let me herald the wonderfulness of wool. Being a kid who never won, I also had no thought, let alone expectation, that this was more than another story writing task. I had had stories read out to classes when teachers wanted to demonstrate what it was they wanted us to do, but that's not the same as winning, that's more a bullying offence. Anyway, I wrote a dramatic thing about how someone had been caught out in snow, wind, hail, ice etc. on a mountain, and had just made it, thanks to his pure wool garb! Because pure wool breathes, and traps body heat so keeping us warm and so on. I shudder when I think, now, of those early mountaineers in, say, the Himalayas, who were clad in layers of wool, canvas, cotton and more wool. Manifestly inadequate. However from a 10 year old in a primary school way down in tiny New Zealand (a mountainous place itself) the theme was popular and it was the 1960s/1970s when we still didn't have all the wonders of man made fibre for safety gear in harsh climates. So I thought I was writing something that was factually accurate and I do recall feeling quite proud of that.

I thought no more about my story. Heck! This was me! I still did times tables on my fingers (with admirable speed and secrecy as I do it now, in my head) but still, on my fingers. I forgot about it so thoroughly that when a day came to find out the result of the competition, I had no idea what was going on. My class, and several others, were taken to the school hall to hear about ... I knew not what, having been day dreaming while our class room teacher explained what we were doing. I think I hoped we'd be shown another Disney cartoon movie, a thing that happened in the school hall and was absolutely delightful, much better fun that learning. We'd just seen Alice in Wonderland and I'd been enchanted by it.

We all shuffled in there, I with vague hope in my breast. We positioned ourselves variously according to whether we were teachers' favourites, or kids who attempted to hide from the teacher (me) or trouble makers, or people who encouraged trouble makers (me, sometimes.) As phrases I recognised as being mine were read out to the assembled school, I recall experiencing my first ever feeling of complete disorientation. My head actually went fuzzy! I recall wondering momentarily if I was in trouble. Then wondering if this meant I had to stand up in front of everyone, which I would hate and do almost anything to get out of. At which point, of course, I heard my name and had to actually do it, with my head still buzzing and confused. I had won a bag of Patons Totem, I could choose the colour, and my mum would knit me something with it.

She knitted me an orange cardigan. I'm not sure why I picked orange, because it makes me look like a sick cat. But I do love the colour, its spiciness and heat. Mixed up with reds and pinks, or blues and turquoise. Perhaps that was why I picked it, perhaps I loved it then too. I went on wearing my cardigan until it was far too little for me, and I wish I had it still (that would make it about 35 years old!), or at least a picture of it but, alas, it is no more. I'm still attracted to orange things,although they never get to sit near my face, because they really don't suit me.

It's funny how, as we get older, memories from our childhood seem clearer, more numerous. I take them as a gift, like a perfume recalled from the past and enjoyed. And so the orange cardigan stands in my memory, a pleasant perfume, a speck of my life that is nice to have, and a long lasting liking for all things orange, and for Patons Totem, pure wool. Excellent for the manufacture of clothing to be worn in cold climates...

Making it myself; viable, ethical, sustainable living:

I hesitate to introduce a serious note to a place that's intended to be relaxing, quiet, peaceful and above all, pleasurable to visit. But one of my strongest characteristics is an enduring concern with the political side of life. I believe that politics underpins every aspect of our lives, from the moment we get up in the morning, to the moment we go to sleep at night. In the night, it affects where and how we sleep, with what comfort and for how long. I don't want to spoil the light hearted atmosphere of the Lollyshop with too much of my political interest. But I do want to acknowledge that it exists, and now and again, admit that it influences what I am doing when I make things and show them on my blog.

When I was a young mum, making things for the household, from baked goods to clothing, to bedding and other soft furnishing, was cost effective. We could buy those things, if we wanted to. But the cheaper stuff, the affordable stuff, was not as good in quality as things we made ourselves.

At the time, Indonesia was over a decade into the process of becoming one of the first world's cheap goods factories. In the 1960s, with help from the West, General Suharto flattened and emptied self-sustaining villages and misplaced thousands and thousands of people. He killed over a million people who disagreed with his actions. He also took massive loans from the World Bank. To get the loans, he agreed to give western companies access to Indonesian workers, property and resources at low prices. Because of this, those companies could produce the things we love to consume, at minimal cost, with minimal probability of the resulting human rights abuses being seen by consumers in places like Australia.

Some people think that such workers are better off than they used to be, because they have more dollars than they used to have. We westerners tend to measure well-being in terms of dollars. But before the western economic machine came to their countries, those workers had the things they needed, and needed no money. Now, they not only have little that they need for a decent quality of life, they will never have enough to buy the things they are slaving to produce. On that measure, a few dollars each week has not made these workers more wealthy. I think that they really are a slave labour force, co-opted by wealthy countries (like ours) because without them we won't be able to afford all the 'stuff' we think we should have.

These days, we are more aware of the issue of 'sweat shop' labour. It happens in Australia, we know that it happens all over SE Asia and in Africa. That's a particular problem for the Lollyshop. I love my chocolate. But much Cocoa for chocolate has been farmed by slave labourers in Africa. Worse, those workers are sometimes children! What to do? There's only one solution for me. I can locate child-labour free chocolate if I choose to. In general, I can avoid using brands that are a product of sweatshop labour. And, I can return to making it myself.

Making it myself is, once again, quite cost effective. When I wear something that I made, or use something I made, or eat something I made from scratch, I know that at least at some point in the chain of production, I have interfered with the plundering of resources and labour from other countries. That's another satisfying result of having made an effort to produce the things that I and my family need and like.

Wire wrapping and Jewelery making

I began reading about wire-wrapping last year, the same time as I began making my own ear wires. I found heaps of useful information on the Net. Some generous artisans publish tutorials about wire wrapping, and they're fabulous. If there's one thing they each do, it would be encouraging the would-be wire-wrapper to practice, practice, practice. SIGH. I shrink from practice!

So I practiced. And was very bad at wire wrapping. But I'm the kind of student who examines material for ages, and then suddenly 'gets' it. Yesterday I was fiddling with some wire ... and when I had done fiddling I found I had fiddled together a very respectable, faceted cloudy quartz ring. I don't have photos of it yet, but I'm really pleased that all the information has finally begun to work in my head! I'm looking forward to incorporating this new skill into jewelery making!

The Thing with Crafts

When I think about it, the thing with crafts and blogging is simple. If I'm blogging, I'm not making things. And if I'm making things, I'm not blogging! See? Simple. A little frustrating too.

I have lots of lovely things to blog about. Tons of new things I'm making/I've made. A thoughtful, beadie birthday gift from my dear old mum (woe betide me when she reads THAT! hehehee!) Pinklizzy and her family moving back to SE Queensland and being near us all again (so cool, in so many ways!) New photography equipment and skills. Some links to wonderful, exciting jewelery and beading websites. An addiction to Polyvore to overcome (smile.) Heaps.

gee, reading this, I better get on with it all ...

The first 'berries 'n cream' Blanket

I knitted this blanket when my daughter was expecting her daughter. Instead of knitting a bassinette sized blanket, I made something that would fit onto a cot, and be useful as a throw rug later on. The stitch, my favourite 'blackberry' stitch, is a texture I incorporate into many blankets. On this first use of the stitch for a baby blanket, I repeated the 'berry/plant' motif in the lace leaves edging. My daughter and I chose the colours to match a set of Beatrix Potter books and little girl things that she collected for her second child.

This blanket was a special project for me, not just because I was expecting my first grand-daughter, but because Pinklizzy had asked me if I would mind her giving her daughter my name, as her second name. She told me that this was not simply because she wanted to use the name. She wanted to express her love for me (amongst other things). I just cannot describe how honoured I was, by her choice. And how funny it was when she followed the request up by saying something like; "Besides, I can't wait to say "Isabelle Ruth!!" really loudly, when she does something naughty!" This continues to be a source of hilarity to both of us. The odd thing is that when I met Isabelle Ruth for the first time, we looked deeply into one another's eyes ... gazed ... and there was a strong measure of recognition, connection, understanding, shared ... mischief? Often the things we share now are full of mischief.

My Dad loved to go out for coffee. When I was a little girl he sometimes took me with him. Dad liked
Vienna coffee, with a cloud of whipped cream peeking over the edge of the cup. I had chocolate milkshakes. I loved the way they served them in the metal cups from the milkshake machine. They tasted better that way, I swear they did! We had brandy snaps filled with whipped cream too. When I was grown up, I taught myself how to make brandy snaps. They'll always be special to me, spicy, warm reminders of time relaxing with my Dad.

Delicious clothing for the Cold

I made this skirt for my granddaughter, last year. I chose colours reminiscent of chocolate and berries and used my favourite yarns ... Patons pure wool and Cleckheaton mohair and mohair/wool mixes.

This is another skirt that can either be knitted on circular needles, or in two pieces with side seams. Either way works perfectly well. My daughter tells me that it is comfy to wear, however I'm not happy with the practical impact of the fair-isle, just above the hem of the skirt. This makes the fabric inflexible at that point. The Isabelle fairy would be hard put to it to take giant strides wearing this. Next time I use fair-isle in a skirt, it will be near the waist, rather than at the hem.

Hand knitted bassinette blanket: Boy

This piece of knitting is a close up of detail on the bassinette blanket that I made for my grandson, Connor. It comes from the ruthieknits 'Berries and Cream' range. My first knits for young children in this range were for girls, and were consequently resplendently pink, red and mauve/purple. I needed to create something a little different for Connor, given that everything he would be given would be in 'boy' colours. I wanted this blanket to blend with his other stuff. Here it is, 'blueberry ice', perhaps?

The completed fabric is made with a mix of pure wool and mohair/wool/synthetic mix. All the yarns and soft and light. I used one of my favourite stitches, 'Blackberry' stitch (or 'bramble'.) The edging is crocheted.

Sam's Scarf

My grandson, Sam, was cautious when I suggested knitting him a scarf. His sister's scarf was lacy and pink. Aussie blokes don't wear lacy pink scarves, especially when they're boys growing up in smaller country centres. Seeing the hesitation in his eye I laced my offer with (unsubtle) suggestions of traditional 'boy' colours. Blues, a little red, green and yellow to brighten it up. A nice tweedy, manly texture. Despite my attempts he was still suspicious, asking; "Bluuuuuue?" I cast around my mind for a more reassuring line but couldn't find one. I was reduced to; "Yeeees, mainly blues!" delivered in an even firmer tone. It was at that point I gave up the idea of adding 'purple' to the colourway. I watched his face clear. I had clinched the deal! And here it is, Sam's masculine, hand made, garter slip stitched scarf. It's knitted with suitably rugged Patons 100% wool in an 8 ply, and I understand that the additional colours have not been a problem. The proof of the pudding will be his allowing me to knit him another scarf ... when this one reaches the end of its life!

Water lilies

Soothing water pools are stepped along the side of PinkLizzie's house. Nestling in the pools are lush, green leaves, which in their season bear these glorious water lilies. Add to these the back verandah and it is a wonderful place to relax in, with a coffee, toward the end of the day.

Luscious, endorphin inducing, chocolate...

It is famously claimed that chocolate raises endorphine levels in the human body. Brillat-Savarin is reported to have said;

"Good living is an act of intelligence,
by which we choose things which have
an agreeable taste rather than those
which do not."

As chocolate is delicious, I think that the eating of chocolate should be taken to be the sign of an excellent mind. In fact, I would take it further ... if eating something that tastes agreeable is an act of intelligence, and since hormonal women tend toward chocolate as if to a natural urge, the hormonal woman who eats chocolate is, in fact, HIGHLY INTELLIGENT

...and let chocolate be unconfined!!

After all, "...all true chocolate lovers know that [chocolate] is a
vegetable. It comes from the cocoa bean, beans are veggies, 'nuff
said."

Knitted wrap

Winter weather in South East Queensland is often cool enough for a little cover, but not cold enough for heavier knits. I knitted this wrap last winter, so that I'd have something light to throw around my shoulders when it was chilly. My mother used it, my sister used it ... I don't recall having used it once! But that was because I was using my stripy Inca-style shawl.

I knitted this wrap in a lovely, creamy white Cleckheaton yarn, Studio Mohair. The completed fabric is one of my favourite ribs ... a slipped stitch rib. I'd really like to try this wrap with hand-made lace lining the cast on and cast off edges.

The slipped stitch rib I used is easily knitted. If you would like the instructions for either the stitch or the pattern, leave a message or email me. I'm happy to help!

Over-priced jewellery, Beading Beginnings

These were the earrings that inspired us to begin making jewellery. They were a gift from a dear husband and cost around $75. In their original form they comprised a rose quartz bead, an amethyst bead, a tiny silver spacer and stamped sterling silver hooks.

Being a fuss-pot, I found the crooked hang of the earrings irritating. Knowing of the craft, 'beading', and being aware of a local bead supplier, I thought that I should be able to re-make the earrings so they hung properly. With some trepidation (after all, these were $75 earrings) I pulled them apart. I discovered that my earrings were strung on wire so fine, they could never hang without bending. I needed something more robust to hang the beads from. With that in mind, I visited the beading store. Several sets of headpins and the addition of Bali silver and a couple of onyx beads later, here they are.

The thing that bothers me about this experience is that my darling husband paid $75 for four beads that, if I were to be very generous, only cost the manufacturer $8. The sterling silver shepherd hooks cost around $2.50. The tiny piece of inferior wire might have been lying about the workshop. For a few dollars more, I transformed my earrings into something truly gorgeous.

Beautiful, silver semi-precious and pearl jewellery that is well made and unique, need not cost much money. A pair of earrings like these, made with whichever currently available stone I choose, will cost me no more than five to ten dollars. I hope that this information will be useful and freeing to many women. We deserve better. Reasonable prices, higher quality and greater choice. Now, they are available to us.