Ready, Set, Show

Met these characters at the Wairoa Show - they were young cowboys in the making!

The A & P Show is as quintessentially kiwi as it gets.  Every agricultural nation have their spin on their community getting together to celebrate what it is they do best, but for us it's the A&P Show.

As children we flocked to the show, extorted money off the grandparents and tolerated being dragged around the stock exhibits and home industries so we could then hare off to the amusements to make ourselves sick on rides and lurid coloured drinks.  Now as a parent I can attest, not much has changed, but what has changed is our appreciation of what goes on at the Show, what is celebrated and also participating myself in those elements I couldn't give much time for before.

A&P Show's celebrate all the elements and primary industries that are vital to our local communities.

The hardest thing about hosting such an event is that juggle between tradition and relevance. About making the event something that celebrates the generations who have been before, but also speak to the generations and future generations attending now.

I see this working in an industry which is hundreds of years old and have loved seeing the refreshed interest in all things home, craft and most importantly hand made.  Driven by social media and the ability to easily share what you do to a wider audience. As someone who has always participated in the domestic arts, it's really nice to be able to come out from the shadows and share my knowledge to a wider audience on social media. The Home Industries section at the A&P Show has been one of those few places where we can physically display what it is we do.  It's where you can see all the wonderful things created in 'real life' and not on a screen.

Our Boy's are Show veterans, this is them years ago checking out an Alpaca exhibit. 

So this year I am so thrilled to be appointed the new section head of the Hawkes Bay HandMADE section - encompassing our local craftspeople and domestic artisans.  This year our goal is to encourage all this cleaver people who are creating sharing such beautiful work online to enter and display their work at the Show.  Taking the workmanship from behind the LCD screen to larger than life, full HD colour and you could get rewarded for your efforts.

One of the many entries I have made over the years

Entering is so easy and you also get free entry and car parking to come and attend the show.  Have a look at the revamped schedule of classes HERE and downloaded your entry form HERE and give it a go!

Top 5 tips to finding the perfect yarn for the job.

A baby cardigan in Silver Lining Merino - Bell Bush

I find that the compulsion to start an new project comes from one of three reasons: an occasion, a stunning pattern or luscious yarn.  New babies are the best reason to get the needles working away and is still the number reason someone will get started again after a break from the needles or hooks.  Also knit design has come ahead in leaps and bound in recent years, with patterns vastly more accessible and fashionable and that goes without saying all those beautiful yarns which you can get in every glorious colour, texture and thickness.

Silver Lining is incredibly soft and perfect for projects next to the skin.

So how do you select the right yarn for the job?

Tip One - Swap 'Like for Like'.

Look at the yarns suggested in the pattern.  If you choose, or are unable, to use the yarn suggested then look for a yarn that is similar.  Compare the fibre content, texture, construction and length to find a good alternative.  So if your pattern calls for a smooth DK wool yarn, look for other smooth DK wool yarns. 

Tip Two - Natures Best.

If you are knitting a garment for a baby  - natural fibres are always the best option, wool is perfect for babies.  Lighter weights are great for knitted layers, like singlets, and cardigans, whilst medium weights, like DK are great for jackets, longies blankets and sleeping bags.  Softer yarns are best for infant skins, so Merino, Polwarth or superwash are great.

Tip Three - Wear without Tears.

One of the most common questions we get asked is: Will this yarn pill?

All yarns will pill if enough friction and movement is applied, so if you are knitting a garment that is going to see a lot of wear and rugged treatment select a yarn with higher twist, stronger fibres and knit to a firm tension.  Examples being Skeinz Vintage and Southlander, these are my favourite all purpose wearing yarns.  If you are knitting a shawl or cowl, something that won't experience too fraught or friction, then a yarn soft to wear against the skin is perfect.  Burlesque or Terabyte are just perfect for these sorts of projects, super, super soft and won't experience too much wear and tear.

This fine twist on twist Merino give excellent definition, softness and wear.

Tip Four - Find your Flock

Natural fibres all have various qualities and some of these reflect in how they act when they are stitched into a final project.  If you are looking to knit a pattern with textured stitches, Aran cables or bobbles you need a yarn that will hold these stitches so they 'pop'.  Traditionally these patterns were made with strong wools, which were 'lively' and held their structure when knitted.  Wool is still the number one choice for these projects.  If you want softness, drape or a floaty fabric, great with lace stitches then fine wool or blends of wool, Alpaca, Silk, Kid Mohair or even plant fibres like cotton or bamboo come into their own.

Tip Five - It all comes out in the wash.

Super Wash versus Hand Wash - a raging debate for years to what is better.  For me - I hand wash all my yarn garments, regardless of yarn type.  I find it quicker, easier and it allows me to reblock/shape a garment more effectively.  Super wash  has the benefit of being more likely to survive a washing machine accident, it is often a smoother texture as it spun using shrink treated wool fibre and takes colour very well producing vibrant rich shades.  Hand wash yarns have a lusciousness that gets lost in the shrinking process of the fibre and a 'grip' in the yarn which makes it perfect for textured stitching, and essential for fair isle projects, especially if they are being steeked.  

The choice is yours.... but always remember the golden rule for absolute success...

Swatch, Swatch, Swatch!

Knitting for the Sensory Special Child

Knitting garments for my Sensory Special child was a challenge.

Have you ever been caught out knitting a garment for a child only to find that all your hard work is left wallowing in the bottom draw because the recipient just can cope wearing your lovely garment?

It’s disheartening. It’s frustrating. It’s hard to fathom why. 

As you can see from the face - we were not happy at modelling this cowl against our skin!

Working in yarn retail and manufacturing I am always hearing the comment back from knitters that they can’t knit for children because the complain that the: yarn is scratchy, it’s too thick, too tight.

So why is it then some children wear hand knitted garments with no fuss at all and others, even those in the same family, kick up enough fuss that you’d think the world was about to end.

Looking much happier sporting one of my favourite 'go to' patterns

The answer could be that these children have sensory issues or if severe enough Sensory Processing Disorder.  It is thought that as many as 1 in 20 children have SPD with a whopping 1 in 6 children experiencing sensory issues that affect their day to day life.

Milo by Tikki Knits was our breakthrough pattern moment

Sensory Processing Disorder can affect people in only one sense–for example, just touch or just sight or just movement–or in multiple senses. One person with SPD may over-respond to sensation and find clothing, physical contact, light, sound, food, or other sensory input to be unbearable. Another might under-respond and show little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain or extreme hot and cold.

In children where clothing is concerned, they are the ones who have to have all the tags removed, only cope with soft or well washed fabrics, and only tolerate a few layers and just hate any outerwear touching the skin.

Milo ticked all the boxes - kept Louis warm, didn't touch his skin and could be customised to how he liked.

So how do you knit for a sensory child?

I have a son who has SPD, along with Autism Spectrum disorder and a few other goodies.  He is our first born, so as a knitting mother I was so excited to be able to knit for him.  These are the tricks and tips I have learned along the way when knitting for him and his developing conditions.

Step One – Pattern Selection

Choose	Avoid
Vests or knitted T-shirt patterns These keep the chest covered, but avoid contact with the neck or wrists that can irritate SPD kids	Collars or features with direct skin contact. Sweaters with shawl collars look so cute but send a sensory child crazy with irritation.
Smooth stitching, swap ribbing for garter stitch. Stocking stitch is safe, it’s smooth to wear and not to constrictive.	Textured or Aran stitches The uneven texture of the stitching can feel like rough sandpaper for the SPD child.
Finer gauge:  Fingerling – Light Worsted These produce a lighter fabric that is less constrictive to wear and will regulate temperature better	Thicker gauge: Worsted – Super Bulky Feels too bulky or this to wear, especially if you have to add another layer like a jacket in cooler climates.
Patterns worked in the round. Top down, in the round vests are great.  No seaming at all required. No sides seams to irritate.	Patterns that require a lot of seaming. Side seams, added collars, complicated shoulder shaping all create seams that can be highly irritating – best to avoid.

Step Two – Yarn Selection

Choose	Avoid
Lighter yarns: Fingerling up to Lt Worsted (DK) To create a lighter fabric for easier layering. Produces a fabric that is lighter and easier to wear.	Thicker Yarns – from Worsted onwards Make it difficult to layer, especially in cooler or wetter climates.
Smooth plied yarns or yarn with higher twist. These yarns are less likely to pill, creating irritation	Single roving yarns. These can pill very readily and these pills become quickly irritating and distracting for SPD kids
Finer micron fibres – like Merino or Alpaca and their blends These yarns are soft to the touch and will breathe and regulate temperature better than synthetics	Wrap yarns with effect binders or fluffy/eyelash yarns. Add texture to the yarn which can add irritation.  Eyelash or yarns with binders also gives sensory kids something to pick at and unravel.

Step Three – Be Brave

Don’t get put off if you get deterred first time around.  Older children often like the tactile process of selecting their own yarns and are move likely to wear them if they have input in the choice.

Also if you find a pattern and yarn that works; repeat, repeat, and repeat!

Hitting the High Seas

Leaving Sydney Harbour is just such a stunning spectacle.

January has evaporated and February is in full swing.  The boys are back at school  and it seems like only a few days ago we broke for Christmas, time flew with wonderful visits from family and friends over the festive period and then family MacBuscke hit the high seas on our second family cruise.

We got dropped off at the door in Napier! Yes it can be done if your ship goes to your home port of call.

Cruising is the perfect holiday for us, the mix of great food, entertainment, and so much to do for the kids.  So instead of regaling the blow by blow accounts of what we got up to I thought I would give you the MacBuscke Top 5 tips for family cruising.

Ready, Set, GO!

#1: Drugs are good.
It's not what you are thinking, but what I hear most often when from people who haven't cruised, is the number one reason why is because they get sea sick.  This was me.  I get dreadful motion sickness, but there are some excellent preparations available for this.  I used Scopoderm patches (Must apply BEFORE you set sail) and Sea Legs, both available from your local pharmacy.  I took them religiously and also had some prescribed anti nausea in case these failed.  We experienced high seas on the Tasman crossing and was not bothered at all.

Louis & I shared this cabin - whilst the Tender was blocking a view, there was still heaps of natural light and you could open the doors to get some air.

#2:  A Room with an Obstructed View
We have had an inside cabin before with four of us and I have to say it was not pleasant. With no natural light it is very claustrophobic and even when you spend a good portion of your time elsewhere on board, you do still spend a lot on time in your cabin.  This time we opted for two 'Obstructed View cabins', essentially you pay for the inside cabin price for cabins that are outside in from of the tender boats.  These were brilliant.  Heaps of natural light, on our ship they had doors that could be opened for fresh air.

Hugo enjoying the sites on shore.

#3:  Double Up
As I mentioned we had two cabins this time: Louis and I in one and Dr Phil and Hugo in the other.  These cabins were side by side.  The cost is not double the price as cruise lines charge flat fees for the additional passengers, so all squashing into one cabin can only be marginally cheaper than splitting between two.  Make sure you get your agent to price both options out before you book.

The boys had a great time - making new friends and enjoying ship life.

#4:  Kiddie Trouble
Dr Phil and I assumed when heading off on our first cruise that we could pack the boys off to Kids Club for good swathes of the day and we would be left to mooch around with our feet up. Big, BIG mistake. Our boys hated the kids club, unless your child is a little darling who will happily partake in pre-school like activities without question, kids club isn't going to be a starter.  I also checked out the kids club on this new cruise and there is certainly a 'sameness' about them.  My busy boys would not have a bar of this!  So this time I came equipped with laptop, movies, drawing utensils and ipads. We allowed the boys to have their own key cards with money pre-loaded to purchase soft drinks if they wished and easy access to the cabins and a surprising amount of freedom.  They did us proud, it encouraged them to make new friends on board and they worked very well within the boundaries we set for them.  So make your own on board rules with your children, meeting places, cabin access, meal times etc and don't rely on cruise kids club activities.

All of this was just $40!

#5:  Don't be afraid of 'Specialty Dining'
It amazes me the number of people to get onto the cruise and rigidly stick to only eating at the venues that are included in their fare.  Even if travelling on the tightest of budgets, do set aside a little money to have at least one meal out on a specialty dining restaurant.  The meals are heavily subsidized, just a fraction of what you would pay on land.  On the last cruise we did the Steak Restaurant and had four courses for just $40 a head & the meal was to die for - even the fussiest eating partner would have found something to wow them on the menu.

Most importantly have fun & relax - you are on holiday after all!