Photo Shoot

The knitting came to the House the other day for a bit of Work Experience. I made use of the office digital camera to take a few archival shots of some of the current productions and document my WIP's at the same time.

First is the ISE4 scarf on the set of the STC's production of Ying-Tong. This "UK comedy success of 2005" by writer Roy Smiles will be touring to eight venues around Australia. Accordingly the set is small but visually, surprisingly effective. It has a strong comedic cast and should be an apt tribute to the genius of Spike Milligan and The Goons.

The scarf is based on the faux cables pattern and uses "Parsley" handspun slubby single yarn of "luscious and lovely pure Aussie merino wool handpainted in gorgeous shades of green" from That Spinning Place. I'm hoping it will block out to a decent length without losing any of its softness or texture.

Next is the Green Gable Top draped around Rocinante from the Australian Ballet's production of Don Quixote. This is a Ballet that is steeped in nostalgia and history. "Rudolf Nureyev choreographed this production for the Australian Ballet in 1970 and, as guest artist, danced Basilio partnering Lucette Aldous as Kitri. With sets and costumes by Barry Kay the inaugural performance also featured Robert Helpmann as the Don and Ray Powell as Sancho Panza. It premiered in Adelaide on 28 March. Nureyev returned to Australia in 1972 to direct a filmed version of his production, which was released in 1973."

The set was redesigned in 1993 and, in the nicest possible way, it shows its age. It is not over-engineered, relatively easy to set up and move out and takes up minimal space on an already tiny Opera stage. It has been designed by someone who knows how to make canvas and wood look magical under stage lights. While in no way being disparaging of set designers I think this ability is becoming a lost art.

Green Gable is so, so close to finished. The cap sleeves are being slightly rejigged and the neckline needs a line of crochet to tighten the edge but I am very happy with the end result. The colour is rich and flattering and the yarn was worth the wait.

The Quiet before the Storm

This is a rare and unusual sight - an empty scenery dock. The Opera Season has just finished - the Semi loaded with all the scenery drove off to Melbourne a few hours ago and the Opera Theatre is strangely empty.


The Ballet Season traditionally starts hard on the heels of the Opera - often bumping in as the OA is bumping out.

Not this time.


The understage area is eerily quiet and empty. You can see the walls! Central passage is not full of skips and trestles, no stacks of masonite for the floor of Rigoletto or large ornate bits of Alcina stacked high.

Don Quixote is coming in tommorrow so this emptiness will be soon filled with sets and lighting rigs - just as it should be - but for now I wander through the dock and make the most of its emptiness.

Housekeeping: Knitter's Treat Exchange

In the absence of a photo essay I'll post the questionnaire from the Knitter's Treat Exchange I joined recently. I did this in preference to Secret Pal 10 that is also running at present because I don't think I'm up to a full cream exchange - I see this as the Lite version.

1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
Pure Merino/Cotton/ silk blends

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
Acrylic, novelty, feather & fan

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Tour the whole shop just looking, stroking, and checking out the books and accessories.

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
Lino Printing

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Interweave Knits, Yarn magazine.

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:
Knitting
Celebrity Gossip / Garden/ Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion /

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
Most items – sweaters, scarves, mittens, (not socks)

8. Are you allergic to anything?
No

9. What do you like to* smell of?
Sandalwood,
(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of)

10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Watching DVD’s and knitting, reading graphic novels and trashy books (into some pop-shock, full-on Matthew Reilly lately – it will pass)

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
An Italian café

12. What do you come out with?
A glass of red wine, some crusty bread and a big bowl of fresh pasta.

13. Where do you go next?
Somewhere to have an espresso coffee - though I do like a refreshing cup of tea at the right time. Real tea, not novelty, fruity blends

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?
My favourite colours are the greens and browns of the forest and the bush, the blues and aquas of the sea and rich red plums and purples.

Thank you.

Green Parsley

This post was going to have a photo of the swatch I had knitted from this lovely Parsley yarn I got in the mail from That Spinning Place. It's for the International Scarf Exchange 4 (see side bar button) and I was pretty pleased about the quality of the yarn and the pattern I had finally made up for it. In the process of arranging a photo shoot featuring Jiji and said yarn I DROPPED the camera and I broke it - broke it good.

A few years ago this would have been a nuisance- an inconvenience even. In my new Blogger incarnation this event is Tragic, Catastrophic, Disastrous! I am contemplating taking my knitted bits to work and borrowing their camera so I can keep current with my Blog images. Pitiful isn't it.

This is the second camera I have done this to - the first was a bit old so I did what any decadent western consumer would do - put it away and bought a new one. I know the combined cost of the two repairs is equal to a new cheap digital but in all conscience I cannot do this again. I have enough old computer parts around the house to provide for a major landfill so I am going to be green about it.

Movin' On

It finally arrived all the way from Seattle USA - the skein to finish Green Gables. There have been so many times over the last month that I wanted to wear this, lovely rich green top. Now I can finally complete it because this sole skein of Provence managed to overcome the trials and setbacks of the postal service.

Case in point: see the destination? CANADA? I live in Australia - have for a long time so I don't think I would have put Canada down as my address.

Second point to note: Despite it having Canada as the address it was still delivered to Australia! The US postal System must be very intuitive to know that where Canada is written read Australia. (Sorry for all the Canadians out there whose mail is now being delivered to the Southern hemisphere.)

So considering this is the third attempt I have made to get this yarn delivered I will treat it and the gorgeous top knitted from it with all the respect due to epic heroes of old who and met overcame all the trials and misfortunes that Fate has put in their way to finally prevail. Yarn, I name thee Leif of Deltora.

With this major setback overcome the gates have opened and 2 of the items in the Stash have been started. Yes the Stash-along is still in place. Pullover Flair is in the background - it's being knitted in the round in the lovely Cleckheaton Country Silk - while in the front is Collinette Fandango being made into a cap sleeve top. I had plans for this being a 7mm quick-knit until realising several rows into it that chenille is never quick. But at least the fingers and hands are working again - that's the main thing.

On a side note I must pass on my thanks to all those people who left supportive comments on my previous post (I feel I was bordering on a whinge) and to all commentators in general. Once I figure out how to get past the noreply-comment@blogger.com label that Blogger puts on all the mail I might be able to pass on my appreciation directly.

Fete day

It's Fete day today! We had Fairies doing Physie, Bushie Firemen, Zhagaret Belly Dancers, Ghaziya Tribal Dancers, Judo and Karate Demos, and, at the other end of the School Playground, State Election entertainment- "Vote for Me! No, no, Vote for Me"


My role in this was a bit of event managing and sound operating. Other options open were running the Chocolate Wheel, making green Fairy Floss or being a target for the "Chuck a Wet Sponge" stand. No contest.

I'm off to a birthday party now so I have to wait until tomorrow to play with the long awaited yarn that just arrived yesterday. it may be the key to unblocking that 'hitch' that has plagued my knitting progress for so long.

Eye Candy

Big Day Out yesterday - rehearsal finished early so a few of us borrowed the company car and went across the bridge to look at an "innovative ShowLED Animation Starcloth" . It got me out of the House, I saw Morris Iemma in the Foxtel studio looking seriously concerned, and got to play with the GPS with the nice English voice.

Bitch and Knit

I've just finished listening to the latest Sticks & String podcast and David's title essay "The Guild'" has been very cathartic for me. Not because he said anything that was specifically referring to me or that was deeply profound. Instead it was a matter of fact explanation about what a Guild does and where it originates from, and how people can enjoy and benefit from attending such meetings. I just needed to be reminded of this because over the past few months I got distracted from this fact.

Its a common feature for many Bloggers and knitting commentators to acknowledge the destructive power of negative feedback - how 1 anonymous remark can totally negate a lot positive praise from people who are not afraid to own their opinions.

This happens in other areas such as organising a group of over 60 members, running the meetings with up to 45 people present at any one time as well as fulfilling any legal and social responsibilities inherent in this group's charter. There are many people that could do this standing on their head with a blindfold on (though it may look a bit funny) and not suffer any qualms about whether or not everything is being done just right. I am not one of them.

I have posted in the past about my "inherent anxiety about social interaction" and I am amazed at how this doesn't stop me accepting volunteer roles such as Chair or Convener for the local Playgroup or Knitting Branch. I keep doing it - I think to the best of my ability - but am devastated when I hear, third hand, of disparaging or bitchy comments, never to my face and never with a name.

Such remarks totally destroy any enjoyment I get from being a part of the group and interacting and learning from the many skilled knitters that come to the meetings. I get preoccupied with rectifying the apparent major short coming they reveal and lose sight of why I am there. I feel I can't see the wood for the trees or the Jumper for the yarn.

And that's where David came in with his nicely timed essay. He reminded me of the enjoyment and enthusiasm I felt as a new member on first attending my first 'real' knitting group and the promise of skills and techniques it held.

Over the next 8 months I think I'm going to listen to that essay again and again - just to keep it all in perspective.

Thanks, David.

talent en route

At work lately we've been reaping the benefits of a lot of talent en route to or from Womad - the World Music Festival in Adelaide.

Acts like Gotan project, Kronos Quartet, Mariza (which Lara saw and gave a glowing review, thank you) and one of my favourites, Salif Keita. All of these performances were held in the Concert Hall so one large lighting rig was supposed to fit all. The majority of them had their own touring sound and lighting crew so other than tweaking the rig to fit their individual requirements there was no actual design input required from our side.

With one exception - Salif.
The band had just arrived from Adelaide the day before and were pretty bushed so not only were we providing the design and operation we did so with no rehearsals and sandwiched between 2 Sydney Symphony rehearsals that required an empty stage.

A bit stretched for time? Absolutely! We didn't get a Set List until half an hour before curtain up but despite all these 'minor set backs' the show rocked. The band all look pretty relaxed in these shots of the sound check but once the house lights went down light it was on!

Salif announced to the crowd that it was his birthday and he wanted everyone up and dancing. It must be said that the Concert Hall is not really conducive to rave dancing - it hasn't got much of a Mosh pit - but this didn't put the audience off. Old and young they clapped and stomped all the way through, culminating in one big party on the stage when Salif pulled people up on stage to dance with him.

At the end of the night I was exhausted but satisfied. The challenge had been met - the show went on - and in theatre that's all that matters.

The balance restored

Things do come right after a fashion, as this weekend has shown. I wasn't expecting to get to R&L as the first Soccer match of the season, followed by a niece's birthday party, had priority.

Fortunately for me the Soccer field was too wet to play on and as the party was at Bondi I thought a slight deviation up the M3 to Gordon might be excusable. This meant I had to take the young Dragon along to a 'boring knitting party' but with the help of an "Asterix and Obelix" book as well as a Birthday card to fill out I managed to get in at least 45 minutes of Knitting Group exposure before the boredom factor kicked in.

A good number of people were there, including David, Lara and Mark, Sally, Meg, Pamela and others. Apparently more knitters arrived after I dragged the young boy away from the Sewing Thread display. I had time to admire Meg's Loopy Mohair Trim Sweater- she has put a lot of time and care into its construction; Pamela's Candle Flame Shawl in 2/28 lace weight silk yarn and David's lovely little jumper for baby Bella.

Just a little hitch in my git-along.

With all the energy that's in the air at present you'd think there would be enough to go around. It seems not to be the case where I am concerned. Cousin Lazybones's "just a little hitch in my git-along" plaint is more in keeping with my present state of being.
This is a bag of projects - just past the swatching stage - all ready to go.
Several have been started and then frogged and I think it's because of this.

Green Gables is so close to completion it hurts. Knowing that that elusive last skein was so close to arriving in my post box before it was banished also hurts. All my knitting Mojo has stalled, hijacked by the postal system. What is a girl to do?

I'll once again order the yarn (if it is still there) from Little Knits and once again wait and hope that it makes its way safely across the Pacific. My Pay Pal account is more like a tennis net the number of returns it has going across it.

Retail Therapy
In times of creative distress there are always ways to reduce the pain. I went to Charing Cross and did a bit of medicinal shopping. This little suburban centre is an oasis of original and quirky products. One newly opened outlet has an eclectic mix of Japanese and New Zealand nick nacks, including some lovely paua jewellery and Kea, Tui and Morepork plushies. I browsed though Shasta Bray and found this cheerful, knitted Raffia bag for a ridiculously low price - feeling better already.

Hubris

The day started off well - my work shift had been cancelled so I was free to spend the time on Knitterly pursuits. First the Guild AGM to attend and catch up with other guild members. Then on to SSK for a long overdue visit. I was pleased with myself because I was running early, I had time for a cup of coffee and a leisurely read of the paper.

Obviously I was having way to much fun for the Fates to tolerate so they decided to take me down a peg or two.

This sign - well concealed by other cars and some ironwork - says "Caution Front End Parking Only" What happens when you don't do as the sign advises?

This.

No pleasant afternoon knitting at SSK, no catching up with other Guild members, no leisurely cup of coffee and newspaper.

I should have known there was something amiss with the annoying 'powers that be' when my order of yarn from Little Knits was returned to them as 'undeliverable'. The package had been opened and the yarn damaged. I'm not sure why - maybe an over zealous drug sniffer dog?

I would really like to receive that yarn - especially the Classic Elite Provence. I have a half completed garment waiting for one last skein - of course.

I have heard of others who have also been subject to the whims of the muses of misfortune so I'm putting it all down to Mercury being in Retrograde and accepting my fate.

DPN Danger

This is a knitter with attitude!

Courtesy of Vertigo comics Y:The last Man.

Blind Optimism

Definition of blind optimism - taking 3 knitting projects to Work on the weekend.

Here I am about to start the 2007 Sydney Chinese New Year Gala Performance Evening - we are already 45 minutes over the advertised start time - the rehearsals were stopped with at least six more items to see (and light) because we were way over time.
I'm looking a bit pale because the five photographers lined up behind my lighting desk are all madly snapping away (and the show hadn't even started). 4 hours later at the end of the performance I was feeling totally washed out. We then had to take all the lights and hardware and hanging doodas down in readiness for the next morning's Brahms rehearsal. 8am start to a 1am finish. Am I mad about my job? I must because no one sane would be doing it. The knitting sat in my bag totally ignored but often thought of. The show itself was an absolute extravaganza. Much colour and movement and lots of flashing, in-your-face lights.
Subtlety? don't know the meaning of the word in events like this. These amazing acrobatics were one of the few dark scenes in the show and even then I had the Audio Visual guys nagging me for 'more light on the audience' because they wanted to film their reaction to the bone wrenching, tendon-snapping poses these two were doing.

There were some very pretty moments among all the excess - this star of the Beijing Opera was noteworthy for the style, grace and amazing voice he had, and for the fact that he was a bloke.

All in all I felt pretty good about the lighting - there were many cringing moments for me such as lights moving that shouldn't have moved - or when I was madly plotting the next item 'blind' and instead of pressing the Save button I went 'next cue go' - stage plunged into dark blue scene change state - AV guys really screaming. By this time I was totally drained and very, very over the whole creative experience so it wasn't as traumatic as it could have been.

I didn't go near a computer (other than my lighting desk) for a whole weekend so all my planned posts about finished knitting and circular needles comparison lie neglected. I returned the Bamboo Interchangeable Circular Kit to Kris today (very sorry to part with them). She had lent them to me for a practice and I am very taken with them. So more later (I hope).

Just a simple twist of Fate

Jussi recently posted a wonderful description of her time in Christchurch and her solo travels through the back roads of Banks Peninsula. For me her description of the area and the places she went was so evocative it bought tears to my eyes.

The last time I was in Christchurch was to visit my Mum - she had just been placed into a home and this photo is the last time she recognised me. It was June 2001 and even though it was only six o'clock in the evening it was dark and foggy outside. I was only there for a few days so when I wasn't visiting Mum and making sure she was comfortable I drove around Christchurch and the Peninsula.


I visited Ferrymead - a Railway Museum full of old Steam Engines and other sorts of paraphernalia that keeps Train Enthusiasts like me happy (it runs in the family). The place was pretty deserted because it was in the middle of winter and it was foggy and cold but this suited my mood.

Even the prospect of fresh Bluff Oysters from the Lyttleton Fish and Chip shop didn't really raise my spirits much. I felt a bit guilty eating them knowing how much Mum loved them.

Mum died on Armistice Day that year and once again I travelled over to Christchurch with the family. We stayed at Diamond Harbour - a tiny little village on the Peninsula and it was again a cold and foggy day. Akaroa, the town that Jussi went to, is 'over the hill' from Diamond Harbour but the 'windy roads up and down steep hillsides' she describes are true of the entire area. It is an extinct volcano after all.

I suppose I was a little surprised at how intense my reaction was to her post - it is probably a credit to her writing skills - but I'm glad it created a chance to remember and reflect.

Welcome Visitors

Green Gables in process. I had to frog the latticework of the yoke at least three times for this piece. One slight distraction puts the entire pattern out of sync and this happened often during the three shows a day that comprised the Playschool season. I don't know how Justine did it but she was a real trouper. A room full of kids has to one of the hardest audiences out there, They expect 100% and can tell if they're not getting it.

Speaking of hard audiences we had another big turn up today to the monthly Guild meeting - despite the warm weather. (It would be so good for the meeting rooms to have air conditioning)
Lara, Sally, Meg, Mandy and Candi journeyed up the M4 (with a slight deviation to a certain Penrith Yarn shop) to visit us. (Meg has just been featured on the Lime & Violet podcast site for her Boobie stitch markers. They were made to help raise funds and Breast Cancer awareness and are practical way to support a very worthy cause. Drop over to her Etsy shop and check them out.)

The Guild meeting is a bit more structured then the usual relaxed get togethers around the big table at R&L or over a cup of coffee at SSK. Maybe my slightly frazzled and distracted air gave the visitors a clue to where my head space is normally at during these meetings as I try and keep track of time, people and tasks. I must admit I was a bit nervous that it would be too formal and busy to get in some knitchat time - especially as I hadn't seen Lara since she came back from Vietnam and I wanted to hear all about the trip as well as ask her some Apple Questions. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves though and I really appreciate their visit.

The numbers that come along to our Mountain's Guild have increased markedly over the past year or so and we have a diverse range of knitters that attend. Even though I sometimes feel stretched to my mental limits running the meetings I always get something out of the experience. The Show and Tell session is both a challenge (I have to make sure 30 or so people don't wander off track during the telling) and a pleasure as we see and hear about people's projects, their progress, their failures and their successes.

We've also had some great guests to our meetings and I claim no credit for this at all. Today Inga Hunter showed her creative genius with Beadworking and, unless there are 2 artists with the same name that live up here, she is a talented artist as well. I came across this example of her Lino cuttings and I am smitten. Lino prints are one of my favourite mediums and I love the simplicity of these prints as well as the familiarity of the spaces she portrays.

The Good News

On a more positive note we have good news on the Stash reduction front. First off is Krista in Pachuko cotton, showing its wide decolletage and my pale Theatre Tan. I'm constantly being reminded that cotton is a very unforgiving fibre, both in the making and the wearing but I do like this brand. The shade apparently gets deeper the more it is washed.

Next we have a rather wooden modeling of the completed Inknitter cotton top with a few adaptations - the sleeves are longer and the hem is looser, to give more of a drape.


And an update on the fate of the many bags of wool on my Verandah - they've all gone to good homes in the Blue Mountains Spinning community. One of the recipients, Michelle, gave a very thorough analysis of the fleece in her blog. It's good to see that even though it's not pure Merino it is still a useful fibre. I loved its rich buttery colour and full Lanolin scent.

I am Wuss, hear me roar.

I thought I was a "Woman with Attitude" but today I was reminded in no uncertain term what a wuss I am in the face of conflict.
Not all conflict, mind you - there are some situations where I can weather all sorts of negativity and criticisms if I know I am in the right. These are mostly to do with logical sequences and inanimate objects. Personal interaction is where I am most at a loss. I have already posted about my ineptitude at social niceties and etiquette - today that was strongly reinforced.
The weird thing is that there are those in my workplace that would be suprised to see the blithering mess I feel I was reduced to. Sure, in the interaction I was out numbered two, strong, decisive, women to one and I was totally out of my comfort zone but here's the rub. If the people facing me had been of the male gender I am sure I would have held my own and not felt such a wuss. Is it because I have spent all of my working life in a male dominated occupation and have had to stand up for myself to survive? Is it because I felt constrained by social decorum and was unable to express my frustration freely?

Someone at work described me as having a Billy Idol strut on stage - why can't I maintain that attitude in situations such as this? Perhaps it's the black stage clothes that do it - I think I'm going to turn Goth - then I won't be such a wuss.