She hasn't addressed the media in more than a week and on Sunday not even her favourite pastime could coerce Prime Minster Julia Gillard to come out of hiding.
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Instead, as Australia's most prominent advocate for the "knit and purl", Ms Gillard took to social media to show her support for Canberra's World Wide Knit in Public day.
"Wish I could be [at the Handmade Markets] today with all the Canberra knitters for knit in public day. Have fun!" she tweeted after announcing the lace-trimmed cardigan she is making for her niece's baby is almost complete.
The avid knitter was missed by the group of about 100 knitters who gathered at the Convention Centre to knit out loud and proud.
"Knitting is such a solitary thing, it's almost like a subculture, so to have the chance to connect with others who share the passion is great," World Wide Knit in Public Day host Renae Beardmore said.
Ms Beardmore, owner of online knitting store Suzy Hausfrau, said despite the dwindling number of people being handed down the traditional "knit two together" tricks and tips by their grandmothers and mothers, the next generation haven't dropped the yarn ball: they are simply being tutored by the internet.
"Knitters and crafters are very big sharers on social media. YouTube tutorials and websites dedicated solely to knitting are helping younger people learn," Ms Beardmore said.
Julie Mittagon, Sandi Passmore and Henny Hampton enjoyed the chance to mingle with like-minded enthusiasts during the event, which was trending on Twitter as "#WWKIP". They were originally taught by their mothers and were consummate professionals making jumpers, scarves and socks by the time they were 10.
Meanwhile 26-year-old Emily Miller said she picked up a crocheting hook five months ago when she was bored one night in front of the TV. Before the arrival of her first baby later in the year she is now teaching her mother how to chain stitch.
Canberra's World Wide Knit in Public day and knitting workshop took place at the quarterly Handmade Markets where more than 17,000 people perused a range of locally made homewares, accessories and garments.
