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Deborah Thomas celebrates 20 years at ACP

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In celebration of Deborah Thomas’ 20 years at Australian Consolidated Press, she talks to www.aww.com.au about the highlights of her stellar career.

Q. Most memorable interview?

A. Russell Crowe for Cleo magazine. He gave me such a hard time.

**Q. Favourite celebrity of all time?

A.** Nicole Kidman because she’s always so gracious and professional.

**Q. Favourite AWW cover of all time?

A.** Bindi Irwin, Christmas 2006.

**Q. Most memorable story that you’ve covered and why?

A.** Crown Princess Mary’s wedding. At first we didn’t think that many people were that interested, but as the momentum built, we just kept adding pages and pages. We all had to come in on the Sunday prior to get it out ASAP but I was anxious that we’d be too late, given that our competitors would be out first. It ended up being one of our best selling issues, so the angst and effort paid off.

**Q. In light of the digital age, how do you see AWW evolving in the years to come?

A.** Because we have such a strong brand, we’re able to take it into so many areas, including online, television shows for both day and prime time, travel partnerships as well as mainstream merchandise. As an editor, I’m a content provider and, as the delivery systems change, so too will we adapt to meet those challenges and new technologies. We’ll continue to provide what we always do — the big personal stories behind the news and a great service section that includes food, health, home, fashion and beauty, albeit in a different format.

**Q: In your position as editor of The Weekly, what would you say is the one thing that the average Australian woman wants more of in her life?

A.**Time with her family.

**Q. What are the biggest challenges facing women today compared to 20 years ago?

A.** Finding the right balance between work and family.

**Q. Where do you see yourself in 20 years time?

A.** Retired and writing books by the sea.

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Seven ways to feel younger — today!

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Feeling younger

You can probably recite the obvious habits for good health by heart — don’t smoke, cut down on alcohol and so on. But did you know that singing and cold showers also put time on your side? Try these fun and easy tips today.

  1. Be a clown Children are fearless, but as adults we can become controlled by anxiety. Putting yourself in a position that involves not taking yourself seriously — such as juggling, playing with a hula-hoop or wearing a plastic nose — requires you to revert to your childlike state and leaves you feeling on a high. Visit Theatre Australia (www.theatre.asn.au) to find a clowning workshop near you.

  2. Breathe better Caffeine, tight clothes and eating quickly all conspire to make you hyperventilate (breathe too fast), adding years to your looks and raising your blood pressure. Breathe in through your nose for a count of three and then out for five. With practice, the pause between the in- and out-breaths will lengthen. Practise while commuting or waiting for the kettle to boil.

  3. Jump up and down Researchers at England’s Nottingham University have found that women who jump or skip on the spot 50 times a day live longer. Skipping is both an aerobic exercise (meaning it strengthens the heart and lungs) and a strength-training one (builds muscle and improves bone density, helping to ward off osteoporosis).

  4. Have a cold shower A study from London’s Brompton Hospital shows that cold showers make your heart and lungs work more efficiently, which may help boost immunity and improve circulatory health. Try a two-minute blast after a warm shower every morning.

  5. Sing a song Singing has great psychological and physical benefits: it stops you thinking about mundane and negative things and it increases the levels of oxygen in your body.

  6. Buy bread Research at Chicago’s Smell and Taste Research Foundation has found that re-creating scents from our childhood can instantly make us feel younger. Dr Alan Hirsch, director of the foundation, says, “The olfactory lobe is part of the ’emotional brain’, which is the area that stores memories. The quickest way to access these memories is through smell.” The number one odour that conjures up childhood? Freshly baked bread!

  7. Have great sex Researchers have found that couples with a healthy sex life can look up to seven years younger than those who don’t. Improving the quality of your sex life can help reduce stress — leading to greater contentment and better sleep.

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Why Sicily is your next travel destination

Known as Italy's deep south, Sicily is a charming island where fabulous beaches, delicious regional cuisine and fascinating ancient ruins make for a wonderful holiday.
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One of Sicily's hillside towns.

Across the Strait of Messina from mainland Italy is the sun-drenched island of Sicily with its glorious sandy beaches, aquamarine coves, ancient ruins and Mt Etna, Europe’s most volatile volcano that most recently erupted in May 2007.

Its history is as colourful as its fabulous coastline, where Roman ruins, Norman castles and tiny villages cling like limpets to rock platforms on top of cliffs.

A home away from home for restless Greeks in antiquity, Sicily experienced Roman domination and its own renaissance under the enlightened rule of the Moors during the Middle Ages, only to become a pirate haunt and, much later, a headquarters to the Italian mafia.

Covered in vineyards and olive groves, its fertile volcanic soil produces some of Europe’s most succulent and tasty fruit and vegetables. Couple this with fabulous seafood and you soon discover the island has its own rich and irresistible blend of Mediterranean cuisine.

It’s the perfect destination to spend time lazing on the beach before exploring some of the island’s Roman amphitheatres, Greek temples and old pirate haunts hidden away in cathedral-like sea grottos.

Sicilian palace

Seven top places to visit

Palermo

Sicily’s capital is a little shabby — some might even say seedy in some of the poorer parts around the port — but its centre has a faded baroque splendour as dignified as it is decrepit.

A civilised way to get here, after visiting the Amalfi Coast on the mainland, is by overnight ferry from Naples (departs 8.15pm, arrives 6.30am). Get a sleeper cabin and enjoy dinner in the dining room or the cafeteria.

Explore the centre of the old town, around Quattro Canti (Four Corners), then move on to the 12-century Norman Palace, King Roger II’s Royal Chapel (Cappella Palatina) and the Norman district known as the Albergheria.

Don’t miss the Cathedral on the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the Sant Agostino monastery and the neo-classical Massimo Theatre.

You could spend a week exploring Palermo’s countless churches, but one you shouldn’t miss is the tiny Chiesa di San Cataldo, a former mosque converted by the Normans into a church.

North of Palmero, on top of a mountain overlooking the city, is the massive Monreale Cathedral, a place of pilgrimage, where you can take in the whole city of Palermo.

Cefalú

Two hours on the autostrada east of Palermo is Cefalú, a former fishing village with a charming sea front and medieval centre, but now sadly swamped by modern suburbs. Visit early — before the traffic jams — and take a stroll along the beach for half a kilometre where, looking back, you’ll get a great photo of the old town. Have an early lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Tyrrhenean Sea, where you can make out the silhouettes of the Aeolian Islands in the distance before heading further east to Taormina.

Taormina

This old Roman city sits on a high terrace dominating the sea and has spectacular views west towards Mt Etna. Known as one of the most beautiful natural settings in Italy, it can be best appreciated from the Roman theatre, perched on a rocky outcrop 350 metres above the sea.

From this eagle’s eyrie, the sea sweeps to the horizon in front of you, while in the other direction, the city unfolds as a series of undulating slopes, giving way to vineyards and eventually to the vast bulk of Mt Etna on the northern horizon.

Perched above two coves, Taormina has a cable car that descends into the Bay of Mazzaro, a useful connection — as beach lovers will soon discover if they undertake the arduous walk from cliff top to sand.

One particularly charming restaurant, Il Barcaiolo, is nestled on the edge of the Bay of Mazzaro. Surrounded by lapping water and fishing boats, it serves ocean-fresh seafood dishes under an arbour of grape vines.

Offshore in the other cove is Isola Bella (Beautiful Island), famous for its mysterious villa and garden occasionally open to the public.

Syracuse

Further south, and overlooking the Ionian Sea, is the island town of Syracuse, a former war-mongering Greek city-state founded in 700BC which is now a tranquil backwater joined to the mainland by two bridges.

The Greek ruins on the edge of town are disappointing unless you’re an archaeologist. More fascinating is the medieval old town on the island, known as Ortigia, with its piazzas and magnificent Venetian villas.

At the Piazza Duomo, you’ll find the city’s cathedral, a fascinating medieval structure built around the Greek Temple of Minerva. The massive Doric columns can still be seen inside the building and line its exterior like the ribs of an ancient whale.

Stay in a small hotel in the old town and dine at a seafood trattoria overlooking the sea at the southern tip of Ortigia.

Noto

An hour’s drive inland from Syracuse is the extraordinary town of Noto, built by a group of nobles after the old town was flattened by an earthquake in 1693.

Like a stately wedding cake with golden icing, it sits in the parched interior, the finest and most coherently baroque town in Italy and maybe the world. It’s as if time stopped when they completed building the city in 1700. Nothing appears to have been added or taken away.

Since it was put on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, its palaces, fountains and piazza’s — all made of soft golden limestone — have been restored.

Noto has been called an outdoor architectural museum and makes for a fascinating half-day excursion from Syracuse.

Agrigento

Another ancient Greek colony, Agrigento has been attracting tourists to Sicily’s south-west coast since the German literary giant Goethe put it on the map in the 18th century.

Its chief attraction is the Valley of the Temples, where five Doric temples stand along a ridge, sadly now overshadowed by towering apartment blocks on the hill above. Come during March and April — when the surrounding meadows fill with wildflowers — and keep your back to the ugly modern city as you explore this magnificent site.

Castellammare Del Golfo

This unspoilt fishing village — half an hour’s drive west of Palermo — is the perfect destination to spend your first (or last) night on the island. Connected to the international airport by an autostrada, it takes just 20 minutes to get there after leaving the terminal — making it the perfect destination for travellers arriving late in the evening or leaving early in the morning.

Several seafood restaurants overlook the town’s sandstone harbour, where a little fleet of blue and white fishing boats are moored. The sea around Castellammare is brilliant turquoise and seems to glow under the slate grey rocky peaks of the surrounding mountains.

Half an hour away by car, in a perfect pastoral setting, is the Temple of Segesta, built by the survivors of those who fled the destruction of ancient Troy.

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The Stefanovic family’s fabulous knits

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The Stefanovic's model their knits

Follow our patterns to create the five gorgeous garments worn by TV host Karl Stefanovic and his family [pictured, left to right: Karl, Ava, Jackson, Cassandra, River].

Abbreviations

alt = alternate; beg = begin, beginning; cm = centimetres; cont = continue; dec = decrease, decreasing; foll = follows, following; inc = increase, increasing; K = knit; M1 = make one stitch; P = purl; patt = pattern; psso = pass the slipped stitch over; rem = remain/ing; rep = repeat; st/s = stitch/es.

Special abbreviation ‘K1B’

Knit one below To knit one below, insert the right hand needle through the center of the stitch on the left hand needle. Knit this in the usual way, drawing the loop through, then drop the stitch above off the needle.

NOTE: It’s best to use the yarn specified for these garments, as other yarns may give unsatisfactory results. Quantities are approximate, as they can vary between knitters.

Knitting stitch covers an already knitted stitch in a contrasting colour. Using a wool needle, bring it from the back through the centre of the stitch below the one you want to cover. Take needle from right to left under both strands of the stitch. Bring needle back to the start of the stitch, take it behind 2 strands in the row below and across into the centre of the next stitch. Repeat for required number of stitches.

Contacts

Patons www.patons.biz

Cleckheaton www.cleckheaton.biz

Shepherd www.shepherdyarns.biz

Assistance line ph 1800 333 642.

Measurements(in centimetres)

S M L XL

To fit size

8-10 12-14 16-18 20-22

Finished measurement

95 105 115 125

Length

82 83 84 85

Sleeve length

43 43 43 43

Materials

Cleckheaton Merino Spun (100g balls)

Quantity

13 14 16 17

You will need

  • One pair of 6.00mm knitting needles or the required size to give correct tension

  • 1 stitch-holder

  • 3 buttons

  • Plain yarn and wool needle for sewing seams.

Tension

This handknit has been designed at a tension of 14 sts and 32 rows to 10cm over patt, using 6.00mm needles.

Back

Using a pair of 6.00mm needles, cast on 69 (75-83-89) sts. 1st row (wrong side) — Knit.

2nd row — K1, ‘K1B’, P1, rep from to last 2 sts, ‘K1B’, K1.

Last 2 rows form patt for Fisherman’s Rib. Cont in patt until work measures 62cm from beg, working last row on wrong side.

Shape armholes: Keeping patt correct, cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows … 65 (71-79-85) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next and foll 4th rows until 57 (61-69-73) sts rem.

Cont in patt (without further dec) until work measures 75 (76-76-77) cm from beg, working last row on wrong side.

Tie a marker at each end of last row.

Work a further 20 (22-24-26) rows patt.

Shape shoulders: Keeping patt correct, cast off 7 (7-9-9) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 7 (8-9-10) sts at beg of foll 2 rows. Leave rem 29 (31-33-35) sts on a stitch-holder.

Left front

Using a pair of 6.00mm needles, cast on 39 (41-45-49) sts.

1st row (wrong side) — Knit.

2nd row — K1, ‘K1B’, P1, rep from to last 2 sts, ‘K1B’, K1.

Last 2 rows form patt for Fisherman’s Rib.

Cont in patt until work measures same as Back to beg of armhole shaping, working last row on wrong side. **

Shape armhole: Next row — cast off 2 sts, patt to end … 37 (39-43-47) sts.

Work 1 row patt.

Keeping patt correct, dec one st at beg of next and foll 4th rows until 33 (34-38-41) sts rem.

Cont in patt (without further dec) until work measures same as Back to markers, working last row on wrong side.

Work 1 row.

Shape neck: Next row — cast off 7 (7-8-8) sts, patt to end … 26 (27-30-33) sts.

Keeping patt correct, dec one st at neck edge in every row until 19 (22-27-28)sts rem, then in foll alt rows until 14 (15-18-19) sts rem.

Work 1 row patt.

Shape shoulder: Keeping patt correct, cast off 7 (7-9-9) sts at beg of next row.

Work 1 row patt.

Cast off rem 7 (8-9-10) sts.

Right front

Work as given for Left Front to **.

Work 1 row patt.

Shape armhole: Next row — cast off 2 sts, patt to end … 37 (39-43-47) sts.

Keeping patt correct, dec one st at end of next and foll 4th rows until 33 (34-38-41) sts rem.

Cont in patt (without further dec) until work measures same as Back to markers, working last row on wrong side.

Shape neck: Next row — cast off 7 (7-8-8) sts, patt to end … 26 (27-30-33) sts.

Work 1 row patt.

Keeping patt correct, dec one st at neck edge in every row until 19 (22-27-28)sts rem, then in foll alt rows until 14 (15-18-19) sts rem.

Work 2 rows patt.

Shape shoulder: Work as given for Left Front shoulder shaping.

Sleeves

Using a pair of 6.00mm needles, caston 31 (33-33-35) sts.

Beg Patt:

1st row (wrong side) — knit.

2nd row — K1, ‘K1B’, P1, rep from to last 2 sts, ‘K1B’, K1.

Last 2 rows form patt for Fisherman’s Rib. Keeping patt correct and working increased sts into patt, inc one st at each end of 6th and foll 10th (8th-8th-8th) row/s until there are 47 (37-47-49) sts, then in foll 12th (10th-10th-10th) rows until there are 55 (59-61-63) sts.

Cont in patt (without further inc) until work measures 43cm from beg, working last row on wrong side.

Shape top: Keeping patt correct, cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows … 51 (55-57-59) sts. Dec one st at each end of next and foll 4th rows until 43 (45-47-47) sts rem.

Work 1 row patt.

Cast off 6 sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 5 (6-7-7) sts at beg of foll 2 rows.

Cast off rem 9 sts.

Neckband

Join shoulder seams. With right side facing, using 6.00mm needles and beg at end of cast off for neck, knit up 20 (20-23-25) sts evenly along neck shaping to shoulder seam, patt across sts on Back neck stitch-holder, then knit up 20 (20-23-25) sts evenly along neck shaping to beg of cast off for neck … 69 (71-79-85) sts.

Work in patt as given for Back, until work measures 17cm from beg, working last row on wrong side. Cast off loosely in patt.

To make up

Placing centre of sleeve to shoulder seams, sew in sleeves evenly. Join side and sleeve seams. Fold neck band in half and slip stitch in position and loosely stitch openings tog. Make 3 buttonhole loops (1. Make a couple of long stitches along the edges where you want a buttonhole loop; 2. Work buttonhole stitch over these threads, pushing stitches up close to each other; 3. Fasten off securely) and attach buttons as illustrated.

Measurements (in centimetres)

This garment is designed to be a generous fit.

Months/years

6 12 18 2 4

Fits underarm

45 50 52.5 55 60

Garment measures

52 59 63 66 73

Length

29 33 38 41 46

Sleeve length

16 19 21 23 28

Materials

Shepherd Baby Wool 4 ply 50g balls

1st colour (C1)

1 1 1 2 2

2nd colour (C2)

2 2 2 3 3

3rd colour (C3)

1 1 2 2 3

You will need

  • 1 pair each 3.25mm (No 10) and 2.75mm (No 12) knitting needles or the required sizes to give correct tension.

  • A stitch-holder.

  • 5 (6-7-8-8) buttons.

  • A wool needle for sewing up.

Tension

This handknit has been designed at a tension of 28 sts and 36 rows to 10cm over stocking st, using 3.25mm needles.

Back

Using 2.75mm needles and C1, cast on 75 (85-91-95-105) sts.

Knit 11 (11-11-17-17) rows garter st (1st row is wrong side).

Change to 3.25mm needles.

Using C2, work in stocking st until work measures 17 (20-25-27-31) cm from beg, ending with a purl row.

Tie a coloured thread at each end of last row to mark beg of armholes, as there is no armhole shaping.

Cont in stocking st until work measures 28 (32-37-40-45) cm from beg, ending with a purl row.

Shape shoulders: Cast off 6 (7-8-8-9) sts at beg of next 6 rows, then 5 (7-7-8-9) sts at beg of foll 2 rows.

Leave rem 29 (29-29-31-33) sts on a stitch-holder.

Left front

Using 2.75mm needles and C1, cast on 37 (42-45-47-52) sts.

Knit 11 (11-11-17-17) rows garter st (1st row is wrong side).

Change to 3.25mm needles.

Using C2, work in stocking st until work measures 17 (20-25-27-31) cm from beg, ending with a purl row. **

Tie a coloured thread at end of last row to mark beg of armhole.

Cont until there are 13 (15-15-17-19) rows less than Back to beg of shoulder shaping, thus ending with a knit row.

Shape neck: Next row — cast off 7 (7-7-8-8) sts, purl to end … 30 (35-38-39-44) sts. Dec at neck edge in every row until 23 (28-31-32-36) sts rem.

Work 5 (7-7-9-10) rows.

Shape shoulder: Cast off 6 (7-8-8-9) sts at beg of next and alt rows 3 times in all. Work 1 row. Cast off rem 5 (7-7-8-9) sts.

Right front

Work as for Left Front to **.

Tie a coloured thread at beg of last row to mark beg of armhole.

Cont until there are 14 (16-16-18-20) rows less than Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with a purl row.

Shape neck: Next row — cast off 7 (7-7-8-8) sts, knit to end … 30 (35-38-39-44) sts.

Work 1 row.

Dec at neck edge in every row until 23 (28-31-32-36) sts rem.

Work 6 (8-8-10-11) rows.

Shape shoulder: Cast off 6 (7-8-8-9) sts at beg of next and alt rows 3 times in all.

Work 1 row. Cast off rem 5 (7-7-8-9) sts.

Sleeves

Using 2.75mm needles and C1, cast on 45 (47-49-53-53) sts.

Knit 11 (11-11-17-17) rows garter st (1st row is wrong side).

Change to 3.25mm needles.

Using C3, work in stocking st, inc at each end of 3rd and foll 4th rows until there are 61 (65-67-61-61) sts, then in foll 6th row/s until there are 63 (69-73-75-81) sts.

Cont without shaping until work measures 16 (19-21-23-28) cm (or length desired) from beg, ending with a purl row. Shape top: Cast off 6 (7-7-8-8) sts at beg of next 6 rows, then 7 (7-9-7-10) sts at beg of foll 2 rows. Cast off the rem 13 sts.

Neckband

Using back-stitch, join shoulder seams. With right side facing, using 3.25mm needles and C1, knit up 23 (24-24-27-28) sts evenly along right side of neck, knit across sts from back stitch-holder, then knit up 23 (24-24-27-28) sts evenly along left side of neck … 75 (77-77-85-89) sts.

Knit 9 rows garter st.

Cast off loosely knitways.

Right front band

With right side facing, using 2.75mm needles and C1, knit up 66 (75-88-101-108) sts evenly along front edge and side of neckband.

Knit 3 rows garter st.

4th row — K4, K2tog, yfwd, K12 (11-11-11-12), rep from to last 6 sts, K2 tog, yfwd, K4 … 5 (6-7-8-8) buttonholes.

Knit 5 rows garter st.

Cast off loosely knitways.

Left front band

Work to correspond with other front band, omitting buttonholes.

To make up

Using wool needle and desired colours, knitting-stitch embroider butterfly to centre of each front. Using straight st, embroider feelers. Using back-stitch, sew in sleeves evenly between coloured threads, placing centre of sleeves to shoulder seams. Join side and sleeve seams. Sew on buttons.

Measurements (in centimetres)

This garment is designed to be a generous fit.

Months (approx)

0 3 6 9 12 18

Fits underarm

35 40 45 47 50 53

Garment measures (approx)

42 48 53 56 59 63

Length (approx)

22 26 29 31 33 35

Sleeve length (approx)

11 13 16 18 19 21

Materials

Shepherd Colour 4 Me 50g balls

Main colour (M)

3 3 4 4 5 6

1st contrast (C1)

1 1 1 1 1 2

You will need

  • 1 pair each 4.00mm (No 8) and 3.25mm (No 10) knitting needles or the required sizes needed to give correct tension.

  • A stitch-holder.

  • A wool needle.

  • 5 (5-5-6-6-6) buttons.

Tension

This handknit is designed at a tension of 22 sts and 36 rows to 10cm over patt, using 4.00mm needles.

Back

Using 3.25mm needles and C1, cast on 50 (54-58-62-66-70) sts.

Knit 7 rows garter st (1st row is wrong side).

Note: This instruction has been written specifically for the stitch pattern given. Using any other stitch may result in a garment that is the wrong shape or size.

Change to 4.00mm needles and beg patt.

Using M, 1st row — Knit.

2nd row — Knit.

3rd row — K2, P2, K2, rep from to end.

4th row — P2, K2, P2, rep from to end.

5th row — Knit.

6th row — Knit.

7th row — P2, K2, P2, rep from to end.

8th row — K2, P2, K2, rep from to end.

Rows 1 to 8 incl form patt.

Cont in patt until work measures approx 12 (15-17-18-20-21) cm from beg, ending with a 4th or 8th patt row.

Shape armholes: Keeping patt correct, cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows … 44 (48-52-56-60-64) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next row, then in every foll alt row until 40 (44-48-50-54-56) sts rem.

Cont in patt without shaping until work measures 22 (26-29-31-33-35) cm from beg, working last row on wrong side.

Shape shoulders: Cast off 5 (6-7-7-8-8) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 5 (5-6-6-7-8) sts at beg of foll 2 rows.

Leave rem 20 (22-22-24-24-24) sts on a stitch-holder.

Left front

Using 3.25mm needles and C1, cast on 23 (26-27-30-31-34) sts.

Knit 7 rows garter st (1st row is wrong side).

Change to 4.00mm needles and beg patt.

Using M, 1st row — Knit.

2nd row — Knit.

3rd row — K2, P2, rep from to last 3 (2-3-2-3-2) sts, K3 (2-3-2-3-2).

4th row — P3 (2-3-2-3-2), K2, P2, rep from to end.

5th row — Knit.

6th row — Knit.

7th row — P2, K2, rep from to last 3 (2-3-2-3-2) sts, P3 (2-3-2-3-2).

8th row — K3 (2-3-2-3-2), P2, K2, rep from to end.

Rows 1 to 8 incl form patt.

Cont in patt until work measures same as Back to beg of armhole shaping, ending with same patt row.

Shape armhole: Keeping patt correct, cast off 3 sts at beg of next row … 20 (23-24-27-28-31) sts.

Dec one st at armhole edge in alt rows until 18 (21-22-24-25-27) sts rem.

Cont in patt without shaping until work measures 4 (4-4-5-5-6) cm less than Back to beg of shoulder shaping, working last row on right side.

Shape neck: Next row — cast off 4 (5-5-5-5-6) sts, patt to end … 14 (16-17-19-20-21) sts.

Dec one st at neck edge in every row until 10 (11-13-13-15-16) sts rem.

Cont in patt without shaping until work measures same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with same patt row.

Shape shoulder: Cast off 5 (6-7-7-8-8) sts at beg of next row. Work 1 row. Cast offrem 5 (5-6-6-7-8) sts.

Right front

Using 3.25mm needles and C1, cast on 23 (26-27-30-31-34) sts.

Knit 7 rows garter st (1st row is wrong side).

Change to 4.00mm needles and beg patt.

Using M, 1st row — Knit.

2nd row — Knit.

3rd row — K3 (2-3-2-3-2), P2, K2, rep from to end.

4th row — P2, K2, rep from to last 3 (2-3-2-3-2) sts, P3 (2-3-2-3-2).

5th row — Knit.

6th row — Knit.

7th row — P3 (2-3-2-3-2), K2, P2, rep from to end.

8th row — K2, P2, rep from to last 3 (2-3-2-3-2) sts, K3 (2-3-2-3-2).

Rows 1 to 8 incl form patt.

Cont in patt until work measures same as Back to beg of armhole shaping, ending with same patt row.

Work 1 row patt.

Shape armhole: Keeping patt correct, cast off 3 sts at beg of next row … 20 (23-24-27-28-31) sts.

Dec one st at armhole edge in next row, then in every foll alt row until 18 (21-22-24-25-27) sts rem.

Cont in patt without shaping until work measures 4 (4-4-5-5-6) cm less than Back to beg of shoulder shaping, working last row on wrong side.

Shape neck: Next row — cast off 4 (5-5-5-5-6) sts, patt to end … 14 (16-17-19-20-21) sts.

Work 1 row patt.

Dec one st at neck edge in every row until 10 (11-13-13-15-16) sts rem.

Cont in patt without shaping until work measures same as Back to beg of shoulder shaping, ending with same patt row.

Work 1 row patt.

Shape shoulder: Cast off 5 (6-7-7-8-8) sts at beg of next row. Work 1 row. Cast off rem 5 (5-6-6-7-8) sts.

Sleeves

Using 3.25mm needles and C1, cast on 26 (30-30-34-34-38) sts.

Knit 7 rows garter st (1st row is wrong side).

Change to 4.00mm needles and beg patt.

Using M, 1st row — Knit.

2nd row — Knit.

3rd row — K2, P2, K2, rep from to end.

4th row — P2, K2, P2, rep from to end.

5th row — Inc in first st, Knit to last st, inc in last st … 28 (32-32-36-36-40) sts.

6th row — Knit.

7th row — (inc in first st) 1 (0-0-0-0-0) time/s, K0 (1-1-1-1-1), P2, K2, P2, rep from to last st, K0 (1-1-1-1-1), (inc in last st) 1 (0-0-0-0-0) time/s … 30 (32-32-36-36-40) sts.

8th row — P2 (1-1-1-1-1), K2, P2, K2, rep from to last 2 (1-1-1-1-1) st/s, P2 (1-1-1-1-1).

Cont in patt (8 rows form patt rep) and working extra sts into patt, inc one st each end of next (next-next-3rd-3rd-5th) row, then in every foll-alt (4th-4th-8th-6th-10th) row until there are 36 (38-36-46-40-50) sts, sizes 0, 3, 6 and 12 months only; then in foll 4th (6th-6th-8th) rows until there are 40 (42-44-48) sts.

All sizes: Cont in patt without shaping until work measures approx 11 (13-16-18-19-21) cm (or length desired) from beg, ending with a 4th or 8th patt row.

Shape top: Keeping patt correct, cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows … 36 (38-40-42-44-46) sts.

Dec one st at each end of next row, then in every foll alt row until 10 sts rem.

Work 1 row. Cast off.

Neckband

Using a wool needle and running-stitch seam, join shoulder seams. With right side facing, using 3.25mm needles and C1, knit up 13 (14-14-16-16-18) sts evenly along right side of neck, knit across sts from back stitch-holder, then knit up 13 (14-14-16-16-18) sts evenly along left side of neck … 46 (50-50-56-56-60) sts.

Knit 7 rows garter st.

Cast off loosely knitways.

Right front band

With right side facing, using 3.25mm needles and C1, knit up 46 (54-62-66-71-76) sts evenly along right front edge. Knit 3 rows garter st.

4th row — K2, yfwd, K2tog, K8 (10-12-10-11-12), yfwd, K2tog, rep from to last 2 sts, K2 … 5 (5-5-6-6-6) buttonholes.

Knit 3 rows garter st.

Cast off loosely knitways.

Left front band

With right side facing, using 3.25mm needles and C1, knit up 46 (54-62-66-71-76) sts evenly along left front edge.

Knit 7 rows garter st.

Cast off loosely knitways.

To make up

With a slightly damp cloth and warm iron, press lightly on wrong side. Using a wool needle, sew in all ends. Using a wool needle and running-stitch seam, join side and sleeve seams. Sew in sleeves. Sew on buttons. Press seams.

Measurements

Months (approx)

0 3 6 9 12 18

Beanie (cm, fits head approx)

35 40 43 46 49 49

Shepherd yarn required

Colour 4 Me 50g balls

Main colour (M – aqua)

1 1 1 2 2 2

Small quantity of 4 contrast colours (C1 orange, C2 pink, C3 purple and C4 green).

What you will need

  • 1 pair 4.00mm (No 8) knitting needles and 1 pair 3.25mm (No 10) knitting needles or the required sizes to give correct tension.

  • A wool needle.

Tension

This handknit has been designed at a tension of 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm over stocking st, using 4.00mm needles.

Beanie

Using a pair of 3.25mm needles and C1, cast on 73 (85-91-97-103-103) sts.

Using C1, 1st row (wrong side) — Knit.

Knit 16 rows garter st in stripes of 2 rows each C2, C3, M, C4, M, C3, C2 and C1, thus completing brim.

Change to 4.00mm needles.

Using M for rem, work in stocking st, beg with a purl row, until work measures 6 (6-7-7-8-8) cm from beg of needle change, ending with a purl row.

Shape crown: 1st row — K1, K2tog, K10 (12-13-14-15-15), rep from to end … 67 (79-85-91-97-97) sts.

2nd and alt rows — purl.

3rd row — K1, K2tog, K9 (11-12-13-14-14), rep from to end … 61 (73-79-85-91-91) sts.

5th row — K1, K2tog, K8 (10-11-12-13-13), rep from to end … 55 (67-73-79-85-85) sts.

7th row — K1, K2tog, K7 (9-10-11-12-12), rep from to end … 49 (61-67-73-79-79) sts.

9th row — K1, K2tog, K6 (8-9-10-11-11), rep from to end … 43 (55-61-67-73-73) sts.

Cont dec in this manner (working one st less between dec each time) in alt rows until 19 sts rem.

Next row — P1, P2tog, rep from to end … 10 sts.

Work in stocking st on these 10 sts for a further 10 (10-11-11-12-12) cm, ending with a purl row.

Break off yarn, run end through rem sts, draw up tightly and fasten off securely.

To make up

Using a wool needle, sew in all ends. Using wool needle and back-stitch, join seam, reversing seam for garter st rows of brim. Fold brim in half onto right side. Tie 10 (10-11-11-12-12) cm at top of crown into a knot as pictured. Press seam.

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Princess Mary gets her body back

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Princess Mary has shown off an enviably svelte and toned body less than two weeks after giving birth to her little princess.

Radiant with health and vitality, Mary’s fast track to getting back in tip-top form has been put down to her complete devotion to a strict detox diet and regular exercise — both before and after her pregnancy.

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on-sale May 21) to the see the amazing pictures of Mary turning heads in her home village, clearly enjoying the fruits of disciplined dieting and exercise.

Plus, check out our on-line guide to post-pregnancy exercise.

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Deni Hines: ‘I love my new life’

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The Aussie singer reveals why she’s going it alone in the music business and talks of her exciting family plans.

Deni Hines is finally free. Free of the shackles of growing up in the shadow of her famous mother Marcia. Free of the need to impress record label executives in order to make her next dollar. And free of the insecurities of youth.

Starting in the business almost 20 years ago and having sold more than 2.5 million albums in Australia, Deni made the decision to go it alone and set up her own record label — 3DE (3 Dimensional Earth) — a move which has given her a renewed confidence and steely resolve.

Looking far younger than her 36 years, thanks to the combination of amazing genes and her strict organic-vegetarian diet, the self-described, “conscious hippy” is bounding with a contagious energy when she meets Woman’s Day by the water on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

In this interview Deni talks candidly about her new love, life and everything in between.

How is your new album Like Water For Chocolate going?

As an independent artist it’s hard. Even though I’ve sold 2.5 million records it has still been difficult to scratch through and go, “Hey, hello, over here!” I keep saying to my manager, “It’s a conspiracy!” She says it’s not but I know there is!

Did you always want to start your own label?

When I was little I always used to say to myself that I wanted to have my own record label and people used to laugh at me. And for a little girl born on Crown Street [in inner Sydney] that was a big dream, but now I’ve done it. I may only have myself on it but I’ve done it!

Has being independent changed you?

Yes, it makes me want to go into every radio station in every city with a stereo and sing my single for them, because if they can play that, “Hey, hey, you, you, I don’t like your girlfriend” stuff … well, I can fart better than Avril Lavigne sings.

What artists would you like to sign?

If I had the money I’d sign Emily [Williams] from Australian Idol — I’d so take that girl. She can blow.

You’ve lived in the UK a lot. Would you ever go back?

Yeah, I want to go overseas in six months. My partner Tom lives in England and it’s really had having a boyfriend who is 10,955 miles away, so I really want to get out of here in six months.

How did you and Tom meet?

We met 10 years ago in England. We never got romantically together — we were attracted to each other but I was married at the time and he was a friend. And then it got weird with the tension. So then he left England and went to South Africa and I left England and went to Australia — we lost each other for eight years. Then he found me on my personal website — NOT on a dating website — and left me a message saying, “Deni, it’s Tom from way back” and I was like, “Where the **** have you been?” Then we chatted and I booked him a flight on my frequent flyer points to come out and see me.

Really?

Everyone around me, even my mother, who may be the oracle but she doesn’t know everything, took me aside and said, “What are you doing giving all your frequent flyer points away — you haven’t seen this guy in eight years!” And I said, “Mum, listen. Cut the cord! Wait till you meet him.”

Did he know much about you?

He knew I was a singer but I didn’t really tell him much more because of that whole class thing. I didn’t want him to know I was over there on record company money while he was living in a tiny s**t box. So really he had no idea of my background. Then when we met up last year he flew in on the day before the Australian Idol final — and I said to him, “Baby, I’ve got this little gig tomorrow night,” and he said, “Cool, cool”. Then the next day we wake up and I take him to the gig — which was the Australian Idol Finale with 80,000 people on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. He watches me sing Stomp with my mother and then afterwards he says to me, “Oh, so is that what you do babe?”

He’s not in the business?

Thank God, no — he’s a carpenter!

That must be refreshing?

It is. I tell him, ‘Hurry up and finish the course baby. You have to make us a bed!’

Could you see yourself moving back to London?

I would go back there for work, certainly, but the two places I want to live are the south of Spain — Granada — and Australia.

How would that nomadic lifestyle go with raising a family?

I’ll get pregnant in Spain. I’ll have the baby in Australia because we have better health care out here. And then I’m thinking about home schooling because I really don’t like schools.

Why?

You get to see lots of stuff and travel and learn a hell of a lot more than you ever could in a classroom.

That’s a huge amount of responsibility to take on…

I’ve been on the road since I was 15 so I’m happy to just take a break. And Tom’s smart too. He can do it all. I’ll do all the music and he can do all the essential stuff.

What essentials would you teach your kids?

Firstly, I wouldn’t go into maths until they were six or seven because I don’t think their little brains can take it. So I’d teach them music and drawing and tactile stuff. They’ll have lots of interaction with other people, too. I think it would be really cool. With a grandmother like my mother, a mad Dr Grandfather who’s my mum’s husband, three brainiac cousins, Tom’s mum who’s a primary school teacher, and his big sister who works in daycare, I think I’m covered. And his father is a historian too! I think it’s safe to say the kid will be pretty intelligent.

You’re into organic. Is that hard and why did you choose it?

Eating outside of tours is easy. It’s hard when I travel. When I was doing [stage musical] Dusty it was hard to stick to my diet — it’s only hard because I have to get on the net and look up where I can buy organic food in every city I end up in. I’d rather not eat than eat s**t.

Really?

My mum and her husband have started growing their own vegetables and I went up there and they have the most enormous pumpkins. She gave me six of them and around 1000 limes!

Some people forget food grows on trees.

I don’t because I don’t eat animals — to me it’s important. The reason I am the way I am is that back in school they did an experiment where they show you a test tube and put different chemicals in it and they show you their reaction. Well I look at my body like a test tube and I look at the chemicals as preservatives and I don’t really know if those preservatives are going to bite me on the a**e in 30 years.

Would you go bush?

Yeah, I so would. It’s quite scary. I had a few years off before I did Dusty and I was living in Lismore walking around barefoot every day talking to horses and growing vegies. I’m a big hippy! My mum looks at me and goes, “Deni, you’re more of a hippy than I ever was.” Tom and I want to buy some land and set up a B&B and get all domesticated. I want a cow, but he said I can’t have a cow.

Any plans to take Dusty to the UK?

We were planning to go there this year but it looks like it’ll be June/July 2008. So my plan is to move to the UK in six months and then six months after that, Dusty will be ready.

London is such an anti-organic city — how would you survive there?

Actually, I wouldn’t live in London. I’d live in Cambridge — that’s where my man lives. His parents live in Norwich, too, and it’s amazing — old homes with big timber beams and gardens. I don’t like London, so I couldn’t live there. No-one moves to London for the city. They move there to make money which makes them really hard people and a hard place to live if you are organic!

Do you work out?

Hell, no. I’m allergic to the gym. I don’t eat bad food.

Would you give music up for kids?

They can co-exist I think. I’d stop putting so much focus on my music though. I’ll have kids one day and I won’t stop. My clairvoyant had this vision and she said to me, “I see you living in this house with your husband or a partner and you’re on the phone rocking a baby trying to do business and you’re juggling all these things.”

What would you do if your child chose the same profession as you and your mother?

Third generation! I’d say, “Haven’t you learnt?” No, as long as you’re happy and can sing in tune, then all the power to you. If my child comes out tone deaf because it has its father’s lack of musical content, then I’ll encourage them to draw!

You were in Skating On Ice. Would you ever do another reality show?

Not unless it’s something I can get fit on. I don’t want to sit there with cameras in my face. Some days I don’t even leave the house and do not get out of my pyjamas till 2pm. They asked me to do Celebrity Big Brother and I went “Nope … I will kill people. I will go to jail!” And if Big Brother told me to eat white bread or white sugar, I would kill him.

You’ve been married twice, would you marry again?

Never say never. If anyone is dumb enough to ask me again, yeah! I was in my 20s when I got married and my best piece of advice is not to get married in your 20s. You change so much. I know that now I’m 36! I think Tom’s a good guy, but I’m not in a rush to get married now. I’d like to hold out a few more years and chill out. It’s not like I’m going to die in six months.

Deni’s Album Like Water For Chocolate is out now. She’s currently touring nationally.

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In the mag – May 28, 2007

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On-Sale Monday May 21, 2007

  • Don’t miss this week’s issue for a FREE scarf from Suzanne Grae, valued at $12.95!

  • Simply redeem the cover coupon at your local Suzanne Grae store between May 21st and May 27th to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

  • Exclusive: McLeod’s Daughters star Zoe Naylor’s amazing wedding

  • Beautiful McLeod’s Daughters star Zoe Naylor always dreamt of one day becoming a Princess Bride in her own private fairyland. That lifelong wish came true last week when she swapped Regan McLeod’s battered boots for dainty satin slippers, and married handsome Sydney stockbroker James Trude.

  • Brad’s joy – Ange’s baby promise

  • Angelina Jolie has thrilled partner Brad Pitt by agreeing to have another child with him. After months of tension between the couple, Angelina told a US magazine she wants to fall pregnant again: “Yes, more biological, more adopted.”

  • True life: ‘I’m 52, he’s 18 but… I’m marrying my toyboy!’

  • She’s a chain-smoking grandmother-of-four who looks every one of her 52 years. He’s a fresh-faced teenager who has been her lover since he was just 16. And now they’re planning to marry.

  • Jane Fonda: ‘My secret sadness’

  • In this candid interview with Woman’s Day, the screen legend opens up about her past troubles, her present joys and how life just keeps getting better.

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Oprah’s shock breakdown

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Oprah Winfrey has announced she is quitting her long-running television talk show, amid fears she’s in the grips of a breakdown.

The most powerful woman on TV made the shock statement during an appearance on Larry King Live in the US.

“When I’m done with my contract, I’m going to be done,” she revealed. “When I’m done … I’m done!”

Oprah’s decision has come as no surprise to staff on her popular show. They say she’s fed up with years of betrayal from both family members and staff, and has become uncharacteristically snappy and frustrated. They fear she’s been pushed to breaking point by a recent series of personal attacks.

Oprah’s most recent setback centres on her father Vernon, who is shopping a book about her early life to publishers in the US.

In his memoir Things Unspoken, Vernon says Oprah was an “unruly child” who was “out of hand”. He also suggests that Oprah, who at 14 had a baby who died in infancy, was promiscuous.

This latest act of deceit comes just months after she discovered her long-term partner Stedman Graham was secretly planning to write a book about his 20-year relationship with her.

For the full story, see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on-sale May 21).

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Butler slams ‘Mad Royals’

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Princess Diana’s butler Paul Burrell has been caught on tape hitting out at the royal family. Almost every member is targeted, with the acid-tongued former servant labelling Prince Charles “mad”, Camilla “ugly” and Harry’s much trumpeted but now cancelled deployment to Iraq as a “PR exercise”.

Currently living in the US, where he’s spruiking his own wine label, Paul’s spiteful rant was captured in a recorded conversation.

Here’s just some of what he said:

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Reese takes Jake back

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Just three weeks after they split, Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal have rekindled their relationship.

Desperate to keep their romance under wraps this time, the couple have been engaging in secret trysts after Jake convinced Reese to give him a second chance, according to friends.

“They are definitely still dating,” says a friend of Reese’s, adding that the pair secretly meet up at least twice a week.

Insiders say Jake, 26, was left heartbroken when Reese dumped him last month after she got cold feet when he invited her to meet his parents over Easter.

“Reese thought things were moving too fast. She told him to date other people until she was ready to commit,” a friend revealed at the time.

Vowing to win her back, Jake recently surprised Reese with a stunning $2400, 18-carat gold and mother-of-pearl bracelet from jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels.

For the full story, see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on-sale May 21).

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