Struan Farm

New Project: "Shiraz (Syrah) Slippers"

Next I'm onto "Shiraz Slippers" from Mel Clark's "Knitting Everyday Finery." I've bought two skeins of Cascade 220 from South Seas Knitting in color 2440 (same as the version in the book), along with a kit Mel sells with the little suede patches for the soles and some matching linen thread to stitch them on. The pattern calls for only one skein, used doubled, but I've decided to make it easy on myself and work from two skeins. (Now that I think about it, this means I should have enough for two pairs, duh!) I'll search out some cute ribbon for the tabs at the back in due course.

I managed to get the first slipper done, except for seaming the sole, in one long evening by the fire, watching bad television. Once I have both done I will felt them and sew on the suede patches on the soles. They're a really quick project to say the least!

 

For anyone interested, Mel's got a KAL (knit-along) started for these on her slipslipknit group on Ravelry.

C'est Fini: Possum/Merino Scarf Project

Finished the possum/merino scarf I've been making from Mel Clark's "Knitting Everyday Finery."

While I thought initially I was making it for myself, John has decided that he rather likes it, so I've gifted it to him.  Perhaps he'll share.

What would you call this the color? Rust? Persimmon? Kumara/Sweet Potato? There's been some debate, so feel free to wade in. Yarn is handspun 60% merino 40% possum, purchased at Fibre Spectrum, the artisan's co-op in Nelson.

Pine Cone Harvest

John & I walked down the Old Road at Struan Farm to gather some pine cones this past weekend. I like having them as kindling at the Cottage, they help get the wood fire started.

Plus in the meantime they look great in my new handmade willow basket from Mapua Country Trading!

 

Brownie Points

Brownie points to John for bringing me a cup of tea and a brownie while I am busy writing a post about "Brownie Points."

Recently, while helping with various tasks ahead of our book signing at Struan Farm, John announced to the world <within earshot of me> that he was clearly busy accumulating serious brownie points. In fact, brownie points were being mentioned so frequently that I had to pause from multi-tasking and query how the phrase came about.

My guess was that it was related to the Brownies <Girl Scouts>, merit badges, etc., but I didn't know that for sure.

It turns out the phrase did surface in the US originally, and this is probably the most widely accepted theory. Olave Baden-Powell, wife of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouts, named the Brownies after a mythological elf that did good deeds around the house.

A second theory relates to a railroad superintendent in the US named Brown, who devised a system of merits and demerits adopted by all railroads throughout the country.

A third theory relates to the earliest version of colored stamps that were issued by US retailers after World War II, redeemable for gifts.

Suffice it to say that at Struan Farm there are always lots of Brownie Points to be earned and redeemed either way! 

 

Bed Jacket Revival: Just a Thought

Discussion ensued after our recent knitting related event at Struan Farm about vintage knitting designs. I've collected old knitting patterns for years in "op shops" around New Zealand. Love the designs, also the poses and hairdos; if I'm not too sure about a pattern it's often the latter two things that push me over the line. 

It turns out I have collected a number of old patterns for rather elegant looking bed jackets, so just did a bit of research about when they came into vogue. Turns out that these loose fitting, waist length jackets were worn in the 1800's as working garments by ordinary women. The jackets were tied by pins rather than buttons to allow for flexible fit during periods of pregnancy. In the late 20th century they moved into the bedroom and were glamorized by various Hollywood divas. Notably, Joan Crawford accepted her 1945 Oscar for "Mildred Pierce" from her bed in make up wearing a bed jacket!

Knitters (and crocheters), we must try to bring these back into use! For me, it's tempting to consider actually having enough time in the day to lounge in bed, made up, with one's hand mirror (note to self: get a vintage hand mirror), reading, or breakfast (note the toast with marmite in the one above, mine would be peanut butter).

And since most homes in NZ at least are pretty chilly in winter, there might be a practical angle here as well. Donning a nice little knitted jacket would make those chilly sprints to the bathroom both comfortable AND glamorous!

Random Farm

It was beautiful at Struan Farm in Piopio this past weekend. After last weekend's highly successful event to celebrate Mel Clark's "Knitting Everyday Finery" we decided we deserved a break. Slept in, went for walks around the property, relished brilliant blue skies. 

Yes, even WE sometimes stop and take deep, cleansing breaths!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harvest

Slight dilemma. We've had several frosts in Piopio at Struan Farm, and the pumpkin vines have died. My gardening guru Anna suggested that it might be best to pick my largest Musquee de Provence pumpkins sooner rather than later, and store them. Hopefully they will continue to ripen. If not, another lesson learned. Next year, start them that much earlier?

I still have several smaller ones left on the vines on Hydrangea Hill in protected spots, so we'll see how they go. Either way we should have some pumpkin soup in due course!

A Room with a View

Yes, Virginia Woolf does come to mind.

This past weekend the view from the Homestead bedroom at Struan Farm was simply spectacular, so thought I'd share it with you. The maple right outside was brilliant yellow and the Nyssa Sylvatica across the lawn bright red, both were really at peak autumn color.

One can dream about having time to day dream, can't one?

 

Weekend Flowers

Quick shot of the table flowers from our book signing event to celebrate Mel Clark's "Knitting Everyday Finery" this past weekend. Their work is done, they just looked lovely sitting there on the bench!

Celebrating Autumn Color

Sunday morning this past weekend John and I went for a wander in the Pet Paddock at Struan Farm. The sheep were out munching away, the autumn color was beautiful, even more saturated due to rain showers. 

The sheep seemed totally facinated by us, we're not sure why, but they had us both laughing!

 

They all should be incubating lambs currently, so perhaps something hormonal is at work? I'm a woman, I can say these things!

It was a Fine Day for Knitting Everyday Finery

We've now learned that Mother Nature is indeed a knitter. This past Saturday morning at Struan Farm dawned with clear, crisp blue skies; it was a beautiful day.

Over 75 people turned out to Piopio to celebrate the launch of Mel Clark's latest book "Knitting Everyday Finery." The bus carrying 40 of them managed to fit through the back gate, just. 

Mel's husband David and John's sister Anna manned the front table to check everyone in, after which they headed into the Homestead to meet Mel and get their books signed. (We won't talk about yarn purchases from South Seas Knitting in case any husbands are reading this, will we? But I understand that the Struan Farm tote bags came in quite handy.)

Melanie, Karen and Elizabeth from The Fat Pigeon Cafe outdid themselves with delicious food served on the Homestead deck, while knitting themed cupcakes from Sweet Tweets were also a big hit.

I was so preoccupied with my hostessing responsibilities that my photos reflect that: far too many of knitters with mouths full or gabbing!

But here's a sample of a few of the photos from the day, including some of Mel and the beautiful original designs from the book:

In addition to the "Aran Scarf" pattern from the book that I'm knitting currently, I've got "Tangerine Tights," "Lulu Scarf," and the "Shiraz Slippers" in my project queue. Thinking I may christen my version of the latter "Syrah" however! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yarn Bombing in Nelson

Almost walked straight past the first live example of "yarn bombing" I've seen on my recent trip to Nelson, if you can believe that.

Normally I'm reasonably observant, especially when it comes to all things knitting, but in this instance I nearly missed it!

 

 

 

 

 

Good News

Not sure if you've seen Good, "Simple Choices for a Better Life," but it's a New Zealand magazine that usually has articles and a design aesthetic of interest to me. I recently picked up the latest issue on the newstand:

Low and behold, under "Eco Style" I found an article on Mel Clark's new book, "Knitting Everyday Finery," ahead of our event at Struan Farm on May 12th to celebrate its recent launch:

Good stuff!

 

Wandering Nelson Surrounds

Stayed on in Nelson last weekend with my friend Glen Davenport at Doone Cottage in Motueka.

 I love to wander this area. The autumn scenery was spectacular, especially the golden rows of grapevines and of course the seasonal bounty of apples and pears for which this region is known.

I returned home with pears and apples (of course)--Winter Nellie pears and Glockenapfel "Bell Apples." I got into a chat with a lady at Richards Orchards in Mapua, one of my usual pitstops, about various heritage apple varieties. She had recently done a tasting of various apples for a local school, and turned out the kids liked the Glockenapfels the best since they were so different from what they were used to eating. After telling her we'd planted a "Monty's Surprise" that had yet to bear fruit, she went off and returned with two huge Monty's apples for me to take home, telling me not to lose heart, that it had taken them several years to get theirs to fruit too! These apples are seriously huge...Glen and I had one baked for dessert that night, while the other one I've brought back home to bake for John. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Project: Knitting Everyday Finery

Definitely needed to bring a knitting project along on a business trip to Wellington and Nelson last week. Nights in hotels, airport downtime, knitting helps with all that. And what could be better than to make one of the designs from Mel Clark's "Knitting Everyday Finery," ahead of our book signing at Struan Farm next weekend?

Logistics required something simple and easy to transport, so I opted for the "Tweed Scarf" on p.41. The stash offered up some beautiful handspun 8 ply 60% merino 40% possum bought on a previous trip to Nelson at Fibre Spectrum, the artisan's co-op on Trafalgar Street.  Love the waffle texture and the easy stitch pattern, the scarf knits up quickly.

Also proves the point that this design is both unisex and ageless. I suspect, however, it won't look quite so cool on me. Perhaps warm and snuggly instead?!

Synchronicity

The word "synchronicity" was coined by Carl Jung in the 1920's to explain what occurs when seemingly coincidental events are connected by meaning. 

This past week I was early for a lunch date and wandered into ArtsPost Galleries & Shop in Hamilton, adjacent to the Museum. I'm always on the lookout for special gifts for various family member birthdays, Christmas, etc., also hostess gifts for the friends I stay with on my annual visits to California. I'd been into ArtsPost before and found a painting by a local Waikato artist that now hangs in the Cottage at Struan Farm. It's always worth a browse.

Bingo! Really interesting chef's aprons with a list of iconic Kiwi foods and beverages, these are heading to California:

 
But where this story starts to get a bit odd is when I went to pay. The lady at the till told me that the aprons were made by a German artist from the Coromandel Peninsula named Daniel Kirsch. (Kirsch is the artist who made the Manuka Beehive Series piece that John recently bought me for my birthday.)

I explained that I had just been given a piece by this same artist; it turns out ArtsPost has some of this same Series for sale and recently hosted an exhibition.

Included with the aprons was a background piece on Daniel that includes this quote: "Beauty can spontaneously occur at any moment given the proper circumstances, context or point of view."

I definitely agree. I'm just not sure why I keep bumping into this artist's work, am beginning to wonder if the universe has some sort of plan, if it is synchronicity, or if these random events are simply coincidence.

 

A Gift of Jazz Glass

Some years ago, after graduating from Smith College, I moved to Boston and shared an apartment with a sister alumna, Barbara Kaplan. We 'flatted' together for several years on Boston's waterfront; I can't remember if we parted due to my transfer to Los Angeles or because she got married.

At one point Barb dated an artist named Richard who also taught sailing at the Boston Harbor Sailing School adjacent to our apartment building on the waterfront. For my birthday that year I received a piece of his "Jazz Glass" as my birthday gift. I had the piece framed, and it has moved when I have moved ever since.

I thought about all this when I was down at the Cottage at Struan Farm last weekend.

I've recently reconnected with Barb, have no idea what happened to Richard the artist, but his "Jazz Glass" (Barb's gift) is now installed in the Cottage. When John and I were renovating a few years ago we decided it was the perfect spot. It's travelled around a bit but is now home. Like me, really. Installed at long last.

 

More Trees: He's At It Again

John confessed to buying more trees on his trip down to Piopio this week. He had the trailer on the back of the car, he passed by the nursery and couldn't help himself. We do need to plant more trees at Struan Farm where we've re-landscaped and are about to do so, plus it's not a bad time of the year to get them in.

This week's plantings included FAGUS sylvatica Dawyck Gold (golden beech), MICHELIA 'Silver Cloud,' and two camellias, Camellia sasanqua 'Beatrice Emily' and Camellia C. japonica x C. lutchuensi 'Koto No Kaori.'

I also heard a rumor that twelve birches have been ordered for group plantings along the Pet Paddock roadside edge, which should look quite nice.

What's particularly good about all this is that I shouldn't get any complaints about fruit trees arriving on the scene now, should I? We all have our weaknesses!