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Harris Scarfe saved from collapse as Spotlight acquires retail icon

<p><span>Australian discount department store Harris Scarfe has been rescued from receivership after fabric and home fittings store Spotlight agreed to buy the 170-year-old business.</span></p> <p><span>The future of the retailer’s 44 stores and about 1,300 staff is yet to be determined as Spotlight and receivers at Deloitte continue discussing the details of the transaction. According to the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/spotlight-set-to-save-harris-scarfe-from-collapse-20200303-p546bm.html"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a>, the settlement could be finalised by <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/spotlight-set-to-save-harris-scarfe-from-collapse-20200303-p546bm.html">mid-April</a>.</span></p> <p><span>“There is still a lot of work we need to do together to finalise the transaction and we will be working with the Spotlight Group and the Harris Scarfe leadership team to make this happen,” said Vaughan Strawbridge, partner at Deloitte Restructuring Services.</span></p> <p><span>“We are hopeful all of the 44 stores will be retained under the sale but ultimately, this will be dependent on how the transaction progresses over the next couple of weeks.”</span></p> <p><span>The retail chain <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/retirement-income/harris-scarfe-to-close-21-stores-across-australia">fell into receivership in December</a> and closed down 21 stores in early January as receivers at Deloitte sought a buyer.</span></p> <p><span>Harris Scarfe is one of the <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/industries/retail/gerry-harvey-retailers-collapse/">many brands which have collapsed in recent months</a>, with Ishka, Colette by Colette Hayman, Jeanswest, Curious Planet and Bardot entering voluntary administration.</span></p>

Retirement Income

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Beginner knitting pattern: DIY winter scarf

<p>As we’ve <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/12/5-benefits-of-knitting/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">discussed previously</span></strong></a>, we’re huge fans of knitting here at Over60. Not only is it a fun way to pass the time, but it’s also a wonderful way to keep your mind in tip-top shape. So, pick up those needles and yarn<a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/knitting-crochet/product-type_yarn?utm_source=Over60&amp;utm_medium=in-article-link-knitting-crochet-yarn&amp;utm_campaign=Over60Shop&amp;utm_content=yarn" target="_blank"></a>! Here’s a simple, chic winter scarf tutorial from <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/garter-stitch-scarf-for-beginners-2116203" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Spruce</span></strong></a> that’s perfect for beginners.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Required knowledge:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Casting off</li> <li>Garter stitch</li> <li>Binding off</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>One skein of super bulky yarn (or more depending on desired length of scarf)</li> <li>9mm needles</li> <li>Scissors</li> <li>Crochet hook (easier to use with bulky yarn than a needle)</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Steps:</span></strong></p> <ol start="1"> <li>Cast on 12 stitches.</li> <li>Knit every stitch and row until scarf is at desired length. If you wish to use another skein, <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-join-a-new-ball-of-yarn-2116492" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here’s how</span></strong></a> to add in a new one.</li> <li>Bind off.</li> <li>Cut the yarn, leaving about a 15cm tail.</li> <li>Using the crochet hook, weave in the ends at the top and bottom</li> <li>Finished!</li> </ol> <p>Interested in giving it a try?</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what’s the most challenging thing you’ve ever made?</p>

Family & Pets

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10 reasons to pack a scarf every time you travel

<p>The humble scarf is the most useful, multi-purpose travel buddy you’ll ever have. Here are 10 reasons why.</p> <p><strong>1.</strong> This is the most obvious one – use a scarf for its intended purpose! It’s amazing how much warmer you will feel with a scarf wrapped around your chest and neck. Especially good if you’re not sure what the weather is going to be like.</p> <p><strong>2.</strong> If you’re trying to pack light, a scarf can make an outfit look brand new. Even something as simple as jeans and a tshirt can be instantly jazzed up with the addition of a different scarf.</p> <p><strong>3.</strong> A big scarf can stand in for a sarong and makes a great beach cover up. Have a look online before you go and learn one of the myriad ways to tie it – you’ll find everything from basic skirts to dresses, pants and more.</p> <p><strong>4.</strong> Beach towels are very bulky to travel with, so a large scarf can be used at the beach or pool. As an extra bonus, it will also dry much quicker.</p> <p><strong>5.</strong> Planes, trains and buses can often be very cold, and with the rise of budget carriers you’re less likely to get any amenities. Use your scarf as a blanket and travel at a pleasant temperature.</p> <p><strong>6.</strong> Ditto for an airline pillow. You can either roll your scarf up into a ball or wrap it around a soft jumper to create your own soft pillow. It also means you don’t have to worry about the last time the pillowcase was washed…</p> <p><strong>7.</strong> Many religious sites across Asia and Europe require visitors to be reasonably covered, so a scarf draped around the shoulders over spaghetti straps or tied around the waist over shorts can be the difference between going inside and waiting out the front.</p> <p><strong>8.</strong> If you’re sharing a room in a hostel or travelling in a train sleeper carriage with strangers, a scarf can provide some much needed privacy. Just tie the corners to the edges of the bunk bed or tack it to the roof and you’ve got a little room of your own.</p> <p><strong>9.</strong> Nobody likes mosquitoes. If it’s too hot to wear long sleeves or pants, draping a light scarf around you creates a passable mosquito net. You can even spray it with some insect repellent to make it more effective – and avoid getting sticky skin.</p> <p><strong>10.</strong> If things get wet, windy or dusty, a scarf wrapped around your head and face will give you some protection from the elements. It can also be a lifesaver if you have long hair and no elastic to keep it out of your face.</p> <p>What clothing item do you bring on every holiday?</p>

Travel Tips

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5 reasons to always pack a scarf

<p>Learning to correctly pack your travel bag is something of an art form to be mastered, especially if it involves a long haul flight.</p> <p>With limited space and twelve hours of relative self-sufficiency ahead of you, you want to make sure you have everything you need to make the journey as comfortable as possible. The key to this is packing items with multiple purposes, and there is no greater hero of functional diversity than the humble scarf.</p> <p>Here are five reasons to make sure your scarf always makes it onto you packing list. </p> <p><strong>1. You can use it as a blanket</strong></p> <p>Everyone knows that airlines don’t exactly offer to hand out extra blankets. To ensure that you have your own when the cabin temperature drops, roll up a scarf and pop it in your carry on. Or, if you’re really pressed for space, where it around your neck.</p> <p><strong>2. You can use it as a pillow</strong></p> <p>Be it on your initial plane ride, the subsequent bus ride or anytime when sitting for a long period is necessary, a scarf can serve as the perfect neck pillow.</p> <p><strong>3. Cover yourself up in an instant</strong></p> <p>Many religious tourist sites won’t allow women in if they have shorts on. If you’re always carrying a scarf, you can quickly turn it into a sarong so you don’t miss out.</p> <p><strong>4. Use it as a headscarf</strong></p> <p>If you suddenly find yourself caught in the hot sun, drape your scarf over your head for instant protection.</p> <p><strong>5. It makes you stand out</strong></p> <p>Airports, tourist attractions and shopping areas are always filled with people. If you’re worried about your group getting separated, a clever solution is for everyone to wear a brightly coloured scarf, so they are easily spottable. </p> <p>What's your must-have travel accessory? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/10-clever-and-creative-ways-to-pass-time-on-a-layover/">10 clever and creative ways to pass time on a layover</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/managing-mobility-limitations-on-extended-trips/">Managing mobility limitations on extended trips</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/6-strangest-items-people-have-smuggled-onto-flights/">6 strangest items people have smuggled onto flights</a></em></strong></span></p>

Travel Tips

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Make your own simple ribbed scarf for winter

<p>In the cooler months, there’s something soothing about creating something warm using your own hands. For those who have the basics of knitting down, but haven’t picked up their needles for a while, this simple but beautiful scarf is a great place to pick back up. The generous wide ribs make for a luxurious scarf, and help to hide any mistakes.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">What you’ll need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>4mm knitting needles</li> <li>8-ply yarn</li> </ul> <p>PRO TIP: choose a yarn that slowly shifts colours. Not only will you get a wonderful effect as the scarf grows, it will help to hide any little mistakes or wonky stitches.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Cast on 76 stitches.</li> <li>Begin your first row – knit 4 (K4) stitches, then purl 4 (P4) stitches. Continue until the end of the row – finishing on knit.</li> <li>For the second row, begin with P4 and end with P4.</li> <li>Repeat these two rows until scarf is desired length.</li> <li>Bind off and sew in the ends.</li> </ol> <p><em><strong>To make a striped variation</strong></em></p> <p>Using two different colours of yarn, you can create a bold striped variation.</p> <ol> <li>Once you have completed 10 rows in your first colour of yarn, continue the same pattern using your second colour.</li> <li>Weave your first colour between the first and second stitches of every second row to carry it up, ready to begin again after 10 more rows.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/03/make-tinted-jars/">How to make your own colourful tinted glass jars</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/05/make-birdseed-wreath/">Make a birdseed wreath</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/04/how-to-make-play-dough/">Whip up a batch of homemade play dough</a></strong></em></span></p>

Home & Garden

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