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Why do dogs have different coats? Experts explain – and give grooming tips for different types

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-hazel-402495">Susan Hazel</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mia-cobb-15211">Mia Cobb</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>Dog hair comes in many varieties, from shaggy to short, curly to straight. If you live with a dog, you live with their hair – on your couch, in your clothes, it’s everywhere!</p> <p>Beyond colour, have you ever wondered what’s behind the differences in coat type?</p> <p>We actually know quite a lot about why dogs have different coats, and it comes down to their genes.</p> <h2>What are the main coat types in dogs?</h2> <p>The three main features of dog coats are how long the hairs are, whether they are curly or straight, and whether they have extra flourishes. The flourishes are called “furnishings”, and can include a hairy moustache and shaggy eyebrows.</p> <p>Combinations of these three features result in seven different coat types in dogs: short, wire, wire and curly, long, long with furnishings, curly, and curly with furnishings.</p> <p>We know from a <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1177808">study of more than 1,000 dogs with varying coats</a> that differences in only three genes are responsible for this variety.</p> <p>The gene responsible for long hair (called FGF5) is <a href="https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/patterns">recessive</a>, meaning dogs must have two copies of the mutated gene to have long hair. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1402862111">In humans</a>, the same gene has been identified in families with excessively long eyelashes.</p> <p>Curly coats in dogs are related to a gene called <a href="https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/products/tests/details/173/">KRT71</a>, which affects keratin, a protein involved in hair formation. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2974189/">Mutations in this gene</a> in cats result in hairless (Sphynx) or curly-haired (Devon Rex) breeds.</p> <p>The gene responsible for furnishings (<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/rspo2/">RSPO2</a>) is involved in establishing hair follicles. <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-follicle">Hair follicles</a> are small pockets in the skin that grow hair.</p> <p>Variations in these three genes could explain the coat type in most (but not all!) of the dogs tested. For example, the long coat of the Afghan hound is not explained by these three genes. Further study is needed to identify less common mutations and genes controlling the coat in these dogs.</p> <p>The earliest dog breeds would have been short-haired, as a result of the “wild-type” genes. Later changes would have arisen through mutation and deliberate selection <a href="https://theconversation.com/managing-mutations-of-a-species-the-evolution-of-dog-breeding-96635">through modern breeding practices</a>.</p> <p>If all three mutations are present, the dog has a long, curly coat with furnishings. An example is the Bichon Frisé.</p> <h2>What else varies in dog coats?</h2> <p>Dog coat types can also be single or double. In a double-coated breed such as a Labrador, there is a longer coarse layer of hairs and a softer and shorter undercoat. Wolves and ancestral dogs are single-coated, and the double coat is a result of a <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/10/5/323">mutation in chromosome 28</a>.</p> <p>In the Labrador, the mutation was probably selected for as they were bred to <a href="https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/exec/0525n07/">retrieve fishing nets in Canada</a>. The double coat is a great insulator and helps them to stay warm, even in icy water.</p> <h2>Why does it matter what kind of coat a dog has?</h2> <p>We know with climate change our world is going to get hotter. Dogs with a double coat are less able to tolerate heat stress, as their hair prevents heat loss.</p> <p>In a study of dogs <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/avj.13296">suffering heat-related illness</a>, most of the 15 breeds at higher risk had double coats. The death rate in these dogs was 23%. We can only imagine how it must feel going out on a 40 degree day wearing a thick fur coat.</p> <p>Dogs with a double coat shed more hair than dogs with a single coat. This means even short-haired breeds, like the Labrador retriever, can shed an astonishing amount of hair. If you can’t tolerate dog hair, then a dog with a double-coat may not suit you.</p> <p>When we think of wool we think of sheep, but in the past <a href="https://www.si.edu/stories/woolly-dog-mystery-unlocked">woolly dogs were kept for their wool</a> that was <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi6549">woven by Indigenous groups</a> and used to make blankets.</p> <p>A dog’s coat also affects how much time and effort is needed for grooming. Dogs with long or curly hair with furnishings are likely to need more time invested in their care, or visits to a professional groomer.</p> <p>Designer dogs (cross-bred dogs often crossed with a poodle, such as groodles), are likely to be curly with furnishings. In a US study, people with designer dogs reported meeting their dogs’ maintenance and grooming requirements was <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/23/3247">much harder than they expected</a>.</p> <p>It’s not just bank balances and the time needed that can suffer. If people are unable to cope with the demands of grooming long-haired dogs, lack of grooming can cause welfare problems. A study of animal cruelty cases in New York found <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.827348/full">13% involved hair matting</a>, with some hair mats causing strangulation wounds and 93% of affected dogs having long hair.</p> <h2>How can you prevent problems?</h2> <p>If you have a curly- or long-haired breed of dog, it will help to train them to like being brushed from an early age. You can do this by counter-conditioning so they have a positive emotional response to being groomed, rather than feeling anxious. First show the brush or lightly brush them, then give them a treat. They learn to associate being brushed with something positive.</p> <p>If you take your dog to the groomer, it’s very important their first experience is positive. A scary or painful incident will make it much more difficult for future grooming.</p> <p>Is your dog difficult to groom or hard to get out of the car at the groomers? It’s likely grooming is scary for them. Consulting a dog trainer or animal behaviourist who focuses on positive training methods can help a lot.</p> <p>Keeping your dog well groomed, no matter their hair type, will keep them comfortable. More important than looking great, feeling good is an essential part of dogs living their best lives with us.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/232480/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-hazel-402495">Susan Hazel</a>, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mia-cobb-15211">Mia Cobb</a>, Research Fellow, Animal Welfare Science Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-dogs-have-different-coats-experts-explain-and-give-grooming-tips-for-different-types-232480">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Family & Pets

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“What do I actually do?”: Woman’s costly chocolate-coated crisis

<p>A woman in the United States has been left with quite the mess on her hands after her cake order took a questionable - and rather expensive -  turn. </p> <p>In a video posted to TikTok, by user @libbycarlsonn, she revealed what had become of her $300 USD (~$443 AUD/NZD) request after it had been dropped off by the baker.</p> <p>The clip featured her with a hand covering her face and the text “guys I paid $300 for this and the lady just dropped it off what do I actually do” across the top of the screen. </p> <p>It continued on to show an image of a carefully constructed chocolate cake, the one that the TikToker had been hoping to receive, and concluded with what she’d actually been delivered: something best described as a sort of chocolate avalanche, with chocolate melting down haphazardly placed chunks of cake, and a dusting of sprinkles over it all. </p> <p>“TikTok, work your magic because I need advice right now," her caption read. </p> <p>The video gained over 3.7m views, and over 4,000 comments, though most weren’t offering advice so much as commiserating with her, or poking fun at the sillier side of her situation, and many were of the opinion that she should demand a refund immediately. </p> <p>“When you say dropped it off, did she literally drop it?” one user wanted to know. “Also how is that the same as the one in the photo??? HOW?”</p> <p>Another pressing concern came soon after, with someone asking “why are there sprinkles???”</p> <p>“Put it in the fridge probably just melted a bit,” one suggested. </p> <p>“No way that’s what they gave you!! I would’ve flip[ped] that cake onto their face. Wow!!” another said. </p> <p>“Tbf…. I prefer the disaster cake,” one shared, “it looks tastier but I’d definitely ask for a refund.”</p> <p>Another felt quite strongly about that, telling the TikToker “well obviously it's false advertising and that's illegal”.</p> <p>One, however, simply refused to accept that the story was true, writing “I’m sorry I literally do not believe you”.</p> <p>“Girl you made that. Quit playing! Lol,” another agreed. </p> <p>And as one said, “honestly, there’s no way this is true or you dropped it before posting.”</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Princess Anne leads Anzac Day commemorations in purple "mourning" coat

<p>Princess Anne has attended Anzac commemorations in London, representing the royal family just a week after the funeral of her father Prince Philip.</p> <p>The Princess Royal was accompanied by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence for the dawn service at the Australian and New Zealand war memorials at Wellington Arch in London.</p> <p>Princess Anne laid a wreath at the memorial and signed a book of remembrance.</p> <p>The couple attended the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey afterwards.</p> <p>Anzac Day has been commemorated in London since the first anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli in 1916, when King George V attended a service at the Abbey.</p> <p>Princess Anne opted for a bright purple coat for the service, which was a far cry from the black she was seen wearing for her father's funeral.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/COGQAWNHfSJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COGQAWNHfSJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Former royal family lady's maid Alicia Healey says purple has long been associated with mourning.</p> <p>"While the official period of Royal mourning for the Duke of Edinburgh is over, purple is often a colour that is worn after black when in mourning," Healey explained on her official<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COFaLNxHgCu/" target="_blank">Instagram account</a>.</p> <p>"So, it was an apt colour choice for today's remembrance service in honour of Australians and New Zealanders who have died in war.</p> <p>Healey worked at Buckingham Palace from 2006-2010, which is where she learned the rules around which colours are suitable to wear at various events.</p> <p>"In Victorian times full mourning lasted a year followed by half-mourning where purple, lilac, grey and white were worn," Healey concluded.</p>

Beauty & Style

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Bunnings $2 Christmas hack goes viral

<p><span>Nifty shoppers have taken to social media to show how one clothing item from Bunnings can be used for a cheap and easy holiday hack.</span><br /><br /><span>Those with patience and the willingness to try can make a glowing snowflake using a 12-pack of Hager’s for $2 or a “heavy duty” 15-pack for $8.80.</span><br /><br /><span>“My coat hanger snowflake. Took a while and lots of cable ties but got there in the end,” one woman posted in the Facebook group Bunnings Mums.</span><br /><br /><span>Another woman revealed she spent $8 for 20 coat hangers and $2.50 for a 100-pack of cable ties to make her very own glowing snowflake.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839136/woman-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fe292adbf2004ead9c51846c47dd5a2f" /><br /><br /><span>“Jungle bell battery lights $8. I used 2 packs. Kinda want more on it haha,” she wrote, adding that for her first go she is pretty happy with it.</span><br /><br /><span>Another shopper posted in the group Bunnings Mums, Inspiration, Hacks, Tips And Tricks, and left other members stunned by her “awesome” job.</span><br /><br /><span>“These are so beautiful,” one person wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>“That is so clever!!” another added.</span><br /><br /><span>A third wrote: “Wow these look awesome.”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839137/woman-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/21bedf47074e44a7a8c4ddb84dbe5df5" /><br /><br /><span>The woman revealed that to make the glowing snowflake, she used small cable ties and 16 hangers.</span><br /><br /><span>To make it glow, she used Kmart solar powered LED lights which cost $5.</span><br /><br /><span>It comes as little to no surprise that people are choosing to make their own decorations for the Christmas season.</span><br /><br /><span>Independent research carried out by Antenna Insights on behalf of Bunnings showed that almost half of Aussies – 49 per cent – will make their own 2020 decorations.</span></p>

Home & Garden

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Why the royal women never take their coats off in public

<p>When the royals are making public engagements, they often don beautiful coats – just like Duchess Camilla in her visit to North Swindon Library on Thursday, or Duchess Meghan in her outing to the Mayhew Animal Welfare Charity in London last week.</p> <p>When wearing coats, the royal women always keep them on during public appearances, even when they are indoors. If you’ve ever wondered why, there is a reason behind it.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtBp_MfnH-W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtBp_MfnH-W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a> on Jan 24, 2019 at 9:35am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>According to <a href="https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/fashion/1286062/why-royal-women-dont-take-coats-off-public-kate-middleton-the-queen-meghan-markle-fashion-rule"><em>OK!</em></a>, the royals are following a special dress-code rule that the royals follow. Reportedly, removing one’s coat in public is deemed “unladylike” as it is akin to undressing.</p> <p>This was why the Duchess of Cambridge kept her coat buttoned all the way up for a lunch with the Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway last year. Despite the residential setting of the Norway royalties’ home, the visit was still a public engagement, with the presence of media.</p> <p>The rule is one of many protocols that the British royal family must follow. Other restrictions that royals should steer clear from are holding hands, playing board game Monopoly, wearing fur, accepting food and drinks from strangers, and more.</p> <p>What do you think of this royal rule? Share your thoughts in the comments.</p>

Beauty & Style

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The reason Queen Elizabeth II always wears bright coats

<p><span>After more than six decades on the throne, Her Majesty has established a reputation as a sovereign style icon with her coat-dresses and iconic headwear.</span></p> <p><span>Now, a few of the Queen’s wardrobe secrets have been revealed in a documentary called The Queen at 90.</span></p> <p><span>The Queen’s daughter-in-law, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, revealed in the documentary that the Queen’s bold colours is a tactic for her to stick out in a crowd.</span></p> <p><span>“She needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen,’ ” Sophie revealed in the documentary. </span></p> <p><span>“Don’t forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, 10, 15 deep – and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen’s hat as she went past.”</span></p> <p><span>As well as her bright colours, the Queen also pairs her outfits with a designer handbag. Reportedly, the Queen owns more than 200 Launer London purses.</span></p> <p><span>In the late 1960s, the Queen received her first bag from the brand and now she chooses to recycle her purses from throughout the years for various engagements. It is believed Buckingham Palace generally only commissions five bags per year.</span></p> <p><span>However, the Queen’s purses are used for much more than just storing her essential items. Her Majesty reportedly sends signals to her staff, moving her bag from one hand to another when she is trying to wrap up a conversation.</span></p> <p><span>“It would be done very nicely,” royal historian Hugo Vickers told PEOPLE. “Someone would come along and say, ‘Sir, the Archbishop of Canterbury would very much like to meet you.’”</span></p> <p><span>If the Queen places her handbag on the table at dinner, it signals that she wants the event to end in the next five minutes, The Telegraph reported.</span></p> <p><span>“If she puts her bag on the floor, it shows she’s not enjoying the conversation and wants to be rescued by her lady-in-waiting.”</span></p> <p><span>According to couture designer Karl-Ludwig Rehse, who first started designing outfits for the Queen in 1988, her outfits are planned months before an event.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s not the case that the Queen is going somewhere next week and thinks, ‘What am I going to wear?’” Rehse told CNN. “Sometimes it is six months, 12 months or longer.”</span></p> <p><span>Scroll through the gallery above to see the Queen’s best brightly coloured coats. </span></p>

Beauty & Style

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Make your own honey bee plant hanger

<p>This 120cm long plant hanger gets its name from the picot knots combined with the yellow rope which makes me think of small insect wings! You can also switch to use alternating square knots here.</p> <p><strong>Knots used (see gallery):</strong></p> <ul> <li>Overhand knot (OK)</li> <li>Wrap knot (WK)</li> <li>Square knot (SK)</li> <li>Square knot sennit (SK sennit)</li> <li>Picot square knot (PSK)</li> <li>Josephine knot (JK)</li> <li>4-ply crown knot (4-CK)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Materials</strong></p> <ul> <li>38m of twined 2.5mm cotton rope</li> <li>Wooden ring, 4 – 5cm diameter</li> <li>8 wooden beads, 2–2.5cm diameter with</li> <li>6–10mm diameter hole</li> <li>Equipment</li> <li>Brush</li> <li>Crochet hook (to help thread the beads)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preparation</strong></p> <p>Cut the following:</p> <p>4 cords, each 3m long (filler cords)</p> <p>3 cords, each 6m long (working cords)</p> <p>1 cord, 8m long (extra-long to make the wrap knots)</p> <p><strong>Instructions:</strong></p> <p>Pair a 3m cord with a 6m cord. Pass them through the ring, folding both in the middle, then bundle the 4 cords together with an overhand knot (OK) to keep them from falling out or moving in the ring. Repeat with the remaining cords, except for one 3m filler cord and the extra-long working cord. Pass the last filler cord and the extra-long working cord through the ring and fold both in the middle. Bundle together both ends of the filler cord with one end of the extra-long working cord using an overhand knot, and leaving the other long end loose.</p> <p><img width="499" height="750" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39980/in-text-1-honey-bee-bundle_499x750.jpg" alt="In Text 1 Honey Bee Bundle"/></p> <p><em>Step 1 </em></p> <p>Using the loose extra-long working cord, make a 4–5cm long wrap knot (WK) just underneath the ring, gathering all the other cords together.</p> <p><em>Step 2</em></p> <p>Untie the overhand knot (OK) with only 3 ends, and add in the cord you used to</p> <p>make the wrap knot. Use both long cords to tie a sennit of 17 square knots (SK). Untie the other overhand knots one at a time and tie 17 square knots with each</p> <p>set of cords.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="853" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39981/in-text-2-step-3_500x853.jpg" alt="In Text 2 Step 3"/></p> <p><em>Step 3</em></p> <p>Tie 2 picot square knots (PSK). Thread the filler cords through a bead (you might need the help of a crochet hook or tapestry needle), then tie 2 more picot square knots under the bead. Repeat for the other 3 sets of cords.</p> <p><em>Step 4</em></p> <p>Tie another sennit of 6 square knots and repeat for the other 3 sets of cords.</p> <p><em>Step 5</em></p> <p>Tie 3 picot square knots. Thread the filler cords through a bead, then tie 3 more picot square knots under the bead. Repeat for the other 3 sets of cords.</p> <p><em>Step 6</em></p> <p>Tie another sennit of 9 square knots and repeat for the other 3 sets of cords.</p> <p><em>Step 7</em></p> <p>Take a filler cord and a working cord from 2 sennits and tie a Josephine knot (JK), placed about 10 cm (4 in) from the sennits above. Tie 3 more Josephine knots to finish the net.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img width="500" height="544" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39982/in-text-3-step-8_500x544.jpg" alt="In Text 3 Step 8"/></p> <p><em>Step 8</em></p> <p>To tie the cords together, make a 4-ply crown knot (4-CK), using the 4 sets of cords as working cords, as shown in the illustration. Place your fist on a table with the tail of the plant hanger held upside down, and lay the cords down to make it easier to work the crown knot. Place the crown knot about 10cm (4 in) from the Josephine knots above it. Tie 5 to 6 rounds of the crown knot.</p> <p><em>Step 9</em></p> <p>Take the longest remaining cord and tie a 4–5cm (11/2 –2 in) long wrap knot around all other cords.</p> <p><em>Step 10</em></p> <p>Fray all the ends and use a brush to give the tail more volume.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <img width="499" height="1065" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40007/image__499x1065.jpg" alt="Image_ (395)"/></p> <p><img width="143" height="180" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39984/macrame-cover_143x180.jpg" alt="Macrame Cover (1)" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><em>This is an edited extract from </em>Macramé<em> by Fanny Zedenius published by Quadrille RRP $27.99 (NZ proce) and is available in stores nationally. Photographer: © Kim Lightbody</em></p>

Home & Garden

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DIY Indra wall hanging

<p>This easy-to-make, yet attractive, wall hanging is 75cm (291/2 in) high and 22cm (83/4  in) wide and uses a repeat pattern that can be extended to make it wider or longer.</p> <p><strong>Knots used (images in gallery):</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lark’s head knot (LHK) </li> <li>Right-facing square knot (RFSK) </li> <li>Alternating square knot (ASK) </li> <li>Overhand knot (OK) </li> </ul> <p><strong>What you need:</strong></p> <ul> <li>51m of twined or braided</li> <li>2.5mm cotton rope</li> <li>35cm wooden dowel</li> <li>Tape</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preparation:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cut the following: 18 cords, each 2.8m (31/8 yd) long</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Tape the ends of your cords to keep them from fraying. Fold each cord in half and attach it to the dowel using a lark’s head knot (LHK).</li> </ul> <ul> <li>The chart (see below) for this wall hanging is divided into five sections. When section five is completed, the pattern repeats sections two to five until you have finished the pattern, ending with a repeat of sections two and three. To separate each section, leave a little space between the alternating square knots (about 6mm/1/4 in).</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="570" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39384/intext-1-wall-hanging-2-new_500x570.jpg" alt="Intext 1 Wall Hanging 2 NEW (1)"/></p> <p><strong>What to do:</strong></p> <p>1. For the first section, tie 2 right-facing square knots (RFSK) using the first 4 cords, skip 4 cords and then tie another 2 right-facing square knots using the next 4 cords, repeating this sequence to</p> <p>the end of the row. Then tie 1 right-facing square knot on each set of 4 cords that you skipped the first time, a total of 14 square knots.</p> <p>2. For the second section, skip the 2 first cords, then tie an alternating square knot (ASK) with every set of 4 cords. Skip the 2 last cords, to make a total of 8 square knots. Underneath each of these knots, tie another right-facing square knot to create a row of 8 sennits with 2 right-facing square knots in each.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="685" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39382/intext-2_499x685.jpg" alt="Intext 2"/></p> <p>3. For the third section, skip the first 4 cords, then tie an alternating square knot with the next 4 cords, skip the next 4 cords, tie another alternating square knot with the next 4 cords, repeating this sequence to the end of the row, to make 4 square knots. Underneath each of these knots, tie 2 more right-facing square knots to create a row of 4 sennits with 3 right-facing square knots in each.</p> <p>4. For the fourth section, skip the 2 first cords, then tie an alternating square knot with every set of 4 cords and a right-facing square knot beneath (the same as in step 2), a total of 16 square knots.</p> <p>5. For the fifth section, tie an alternating square knot with the first 4 cords, then tie 2 more right-facing square knots directly beneath it to create a sennit of 3 right-facing square knots. Make a right-facing square knot with the next 4 cords, placing it at the same level as the middle knot of the previous 3 knots. Repeat this sequence to the end of the row, a total of 19 square knots.</p> <p>6. Repeat sections 2–5 two more times, then tie sections 2 and 3 once more.</p> <p>7. Cut all the cords to the same length, then tie decorative overhand knots (OK) at the bottom of each cord. Fray the end of the cords beneath each knot to get a tassel effect</p> <p><img width="159" height="200" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39383/macrame-cover_159x200.jpg" alt="Macrame Cover" style="float: right;"/></p> <p><em>This is an edited extract from </em>Macramé<em> by Fanny Zedenius published by Quadrille RRP $27.99 (NZ price) and is available in stores nationally.Image credit: Kim Lightbody</em></p>

Home & Garden

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The winter coat with in-built heating

<p>In centuries gone by, if you wanted to stay extra toasty on a cold winter's day, you might take a pull of whisky from the hip flask in your pocket.</p> <p>More recently you could opt for a pocket warmer. This nifty device involved the use of lighter fluid and a flame, which you carried around in your trouser pocket. Nope, nothing could possibly go wrong in that scenario.</p> <p>Fast-forward to 2016, and the subject of a successful Kickstarter campaign is a range of coats heated by technology a lot more sophisticated than trying to set your nether regions on fire.</p> <p>British company <a href="http://emelandaris.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Emel and Aris</span></strong></a> is raising funds to put what is claimed to be the world's first smart coat into production. In their design, lightweight polymers produce infrared heat energy which is absorbed by the skin to heat the muscles and increase the flow of blood.</p> <p>The heat is transferred via discreet lightweight panels sewn into the jacket on the shoulders, sides and lower back, and connected to a slim battery located in a waterproof pocket that can also be used to charge your smartphone.</p> <p>You might expect such a jacket to look like some sort of futuristic aluminium foil space suit from the Jetsons, but you'd be wrong.</p> <p>Designer Rana Nakhal Solset has come up with elegant, streamlined styles: for men, an overcoat made from a waterproof treated blend of Loro Piana cashmere and wool; and a lighter-weight raincoat in water repellent Loro Piana cotton, with a detachable vest.</p> <p>For women, a Loro Piana cashmere and wool blend wrap coat, and a more lightweight Loro Piana cotton classic trench coat.</p> <p>It's another sign that high-tech is making inroads into haute couture; by 2025, it's likely that almost every item of clothing you buy will contain some type of embedded technology.</p> <p><em>Written by Stephen Lacey, first appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/04/tommy-hilfiger-adaptive-clothing-line/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tommy Hilfiger designs clothes for kids with disabilities</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/03/style-meets-comfort-at-homyped/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 Orthopaedic shoes that don’t compromise on style</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/04/how-to-plan-public-transport-journey-using-google-maps/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to plan your public transport journey using Google Maps</span></strong></em></a></p>

Beauty & Style

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Store’s heartwarming response to customer’s coat return

<p>Everybody has a horror story of trying to return something to a store. At best, they’re straightforward and relatively painless, but often it’s the worst case scenario and you leave the store with an unwanted item still in tow. </p> <p>It’s why Kelly Blue Kinkel’s story is warming hearts everywhere.</p> <p>She shared her experienced trying to return a coat to Seattle-based e-commerce company Zulily on Facebook earlier this month, and since then it has gone viral.</p> <p>She wrote on her Facebook: “I just hung up from one of the best customer service experiences of my life.</p> <p>“I called customer service and asked how to return the unopened coat for a refund. I spoke with a sweet young man named Patrick, and he let me know he would refund my money immediately.</p> <p>“I asked again how to send it back, and he said, ‘Please don't send it back. If you know someone who needs a winter coat or if you would like to donate it to a charity, that would make us very happy.’ I honestly thought he was kidding. It took me a moment to realize he was completely serious, and then came the tears.”</p> <p>Kinkel added, “The world needs more LOVE like that.” </p> <p><img width="572" height="427" src="http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE2LzAxLzEzLzA5L1NjcmVlblNob3QyLjZhNzY0LnBuZwpwCXRodW1iCTEyMDB4OTYwMD4/fffc3be0/6a1/Screen-Shot-2016-01-13-at-10.39.22-AM.png" alt="Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 10.39.22 AM" class="fullwidth for-lightbox" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/worlds-happiest-countries-in-2015/">These are the happiest countries in the world</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/older-generation-better-at-learning/">Older generations better at learning than everyone else</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/tips-for-being-a-good-person-today/">8 ways to be a good person today</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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Do you really need a base coat for your nails?

<p>If you’ve ever done your nails and debated skipping the base coat, you’re not alone. Applying a base coat can seem like an unnecessary and annoying step, especially when you need results and quickly. While it may seem like a time consuming pain to apply, including a base coat of nail polish to your DIY manicure is one of the best ways to ensure a good result. Think of it like the foundation for a house. You can’t create anything with a shaky foundation. Here are three other reasons why applying a base coat has its benefits.</p> <ol> <li><strong>It’ll make your manicure last longer</strong> – Think of a base coat as double sided tape for your nails. These nifty products contain special chemicals to give them “stick”. This allows them to adhere to the nail below and above the polish to help prolong your manicure. Without this sticky surface for the pigment, your colour would end up chipping very quickly (as we are sure you’ve experienced!)</li> <li><strong>It’ll prevent stains</strong> – If you’re partial to bright shades, you may have experienced the less than appealing shade of yellow they leave behind on your nail. This is due to the chemical reaction that sometimes occurs between the ingredients in your polish and your nail beds. A base coat is your best defence against staining.</li> <li><strong>They can actually improve your nails</strong> – Gone are the days when a base coat was ‘just’ a base coat. These days, you can choose a base that suits the needs of your nails. From extra moisturising properties to ridge fillers, there’s a product on the market to help improve your talons. One thing to avoid is products that market themselves as “nail hardeners” as they usually contain formaldehyde which is best avoided.</li> </ol>

Beauty & Style

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Genius things you didn’t know you could do with coat hangers

<p>The humble coat hanger has plenty of uses around the home to make life that little bit easier.</p> <ul> <li>Add a rubber band to the ends of your hangers to avoid silky dresses sliding onto the floor</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Enjoy cleaner cookbooks by hanging up your book on a trouser hanger and placing on a cupboard handle at eye level</li> </ul> <ul> <li>If you need to save room in your wardrobe, join two hangers together with a ring pull from a can.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Hang up your towels by mounting a nice wooden hanger upside down in the bathroom</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Make your own handy coat rack for the entrance to your house by slicing a wooden hanger and mounting it at an angle</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Store your scarves on one hanger by adding a packet of shower rings</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Add some screw in hooks to make a storage area for your jewellery that can be hung on the inside of your wardrobe</li> </ul> <p> <strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/07/bathroom-storage-solutions/">7 creative storage solutions for your bathroom</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/06/simple-prewashing-tips/">12 things you should do before tossing your clothes in the wash</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/06/simple-prewashing-tips/"></a><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/06/home-uses-for-vodka/">4 great ways you should use vodka for around the house</a></strong></em></p>

Home & Garden

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Build your own creative coat rack

<p>All you will need are some recycled materials to create this unique coat rack. You will often find timber fence palings at reclamation yards, tips, or, if you’re lucky, on the side of the road. Vintage or antique shops often sell decorative knobs quite cheaply. You can either choose to use all the same knobs, or choose a selection of knobs that work well together with your décor.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need:</span></strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></p> <ul> <li>Saw</li> <li>3 timber fence palings</li> <li>Hammer</li> <li>Nails</li> <li>Pencil</li> <li>Drill</li> <li>Various knobs</li> <li>Washers</li> <li>Bolts</li> <li>Sharp pliers</li> <li>Brackets</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></strong></p> <p>1. Use a handsaw to cut the palings to your required length. Nail the offcuts to the back as a vertical support.</p> <p>2. Decide where your knobs will sit and make a mark where you will need to drill the holes.</p> <p>3. Drill your holes through the palings and place the knobs through them. Secure them on the back with washers and bolts. Trim the knob screws with sharp pliers (or an angle grinder).</p> <p>4. Attach brackets to the back of your coat rack and the wall, and then hang in place.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Pinterest</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/03/make-tinted-jars/" target="_blank">How to make your own tinted jars</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/02/revamp-lampshade/" target="_blank">How to revamp a lampshade</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/02/spray-bottle-chalk/" target="_blank">The grandkids will love this homemade spray chalk</a></strong></em></span></p>

Home & Garden

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The science behind why people get grumpy when hungry

<p>Are you not you when you’re hungry? Do you snap and pout and grumble (ok, we’re not children but you’re in a less than pleasant mood) when you’re hungry? It’s a sensation so common amongst people that the term “hangry” (an amalgamation of hungry and angry) was born. And now science has found the answer as to why some people get hangry and others don’t.</p> <p><strong>How “hanger” develops</strong></p> <p>When we eat, the foods are broken down into nutrients and used for energy. As the time passes from your last meal, the nutrients circulating in your body begin to drop and if your blood-glucose level falls far enough, your brain registers this as a serious, life-threatening situation. Unlike other organs that use a variety of nutrients to function normally, the brain is dependent on glucose to do its important job.</p> <p>So that’s why when you’re hungry, simple tasks become hard to do. It may be hard to concentrate or you might find you are making more mistakes. And you might not have the energy to behave in socially acceptable norms, thus the angry in “hangry”.</p> <p>Hanger is also exacerbated by the fact when blood-glucose drops, your body tried to compensate by releasing hormones that increase the level of glucose in your bloodstream. One of the major ones to be released is adrenaline, or the “fight or flight” response, which can add to the anger and grumpiness felt during hunger pangs.</p> <p><strong>Why do some people get “hangry” and others don’t?</strong></p> <p>The link between hunger and anger is controlled by common genes, one of them being neuropeptide Y. Neuropeptide Y makes you want to eat a lot straight away (like binge-eating) but as humans are all different, the amount and rate it is released is different for different people.</p> <p>Ultimately, hanger is a survival mechanism that spurs you to care about your hunger over others so your species won’t die out. But since we’re not fighting for our survival, the easiest way to handle hanger is the most obvious: eat something before you get hungry. And don’t make any big decisions in difficult situations when you’re hungry.</p> <p><em>Source: <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-the-science-of-hangry-or-why-some-people-get-grumpy-when-theyre-hungry-37229" target="_blank">The Conversation</a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/wellbeing/2015/08/benefits-of-food-journal/">Why you should keep a food journal</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/wellbeing/2015/07/tricks-to-stop-overeating/">6 clever tricks to avoid overeating</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/health/wellbeing/2015/07/foods-for-healthy-teeth/">5 foods to eat for healthy teeth</a></strong></em></span></p>

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