Bicycles and pickles

Yesterday we had a very nice Saturday, in a wholesome sort of way. After a decent sleep-in, we biked to the library along the riverbank.

I rode Chloe's bike, and had a bit of trouble since it was my first time on a bike in years. Yes, you don't forget how, the riding part was fine - but swinging my leg over the basket was trickier than anticipated! I actually fell off once while dismounting, which was a bit embarrassing in a busy public place...

Riding is lovely though, especially when you get a decent stretch of people-free ground ahead of you and can speed up a bit. I'll need to get my own bike when the time comes to give this one back.

After we got home and had a tea-and-a-sit break, we went food shopping and picked up some ingredients for making pickles, which I've been wanting to do for ages. We ended up making 'bread and butter' pickles, which are amazing with cheese on toast:

It's a very easy and fairly economical recipe - mostly sliced cucumbers and onions, with vinegar, sugar, and spices. Willie did the chopping (sparing me from the dreaded onion-eyes) and I did the cooking part. I got the recipe from my Ladies a Plate book, and it's on the website too: Bread and Butter Pickles. The great thing about it is that you don't need to stand over a simmering pot for ages, you just bring it to the boil and you're done. :)

For some reason, preserving jars are hard to find in Australia - we had to buy a set online in the end. Next I'd quite like to try these Herb Jellies (when I'm up to a bit more of a challenge). I've successfully managed marmalade in the past, so why not?

Bra shopping success!

It's been a while since I wrote about my search for a properly-fitting bra. I got sidetracked by other things, and then I failed to check Brava's opening hours and ended up pouting outside a closed shop (note to self: don't assume specialist shops are open on Sundays). But today we gathered our gumption and headed back to their Collins St shop.

I asked for a fitting, and the assistant asked what I was looking for and what size I've been wearing. I explained that I wanted a plain, everyday, more-or-less-skin-coloured bra, and that I've been wearing 16D (because it was the best I'd found), but that I thought I needed more like a 14F. She agreed that that would be a good size to start trying, and so the changing-room saga began...

I found it much less frustrating than my past bra-shopping experiences: they had my size in all of their styles, and the assistant fetched things for me to try as we narrowed down what I needed - no rummaging through the racks myself, getting discouraged. Her timing was spot-on, so I wasn't left waiting for the next option, or feeling rushed either. I ended up with three good 'maybes' that we agreed fit me well, all beige and lace-free and 14F. I settled on the most comfortable of the three, plus a basic sports bra in black. The beige one will be ideal for being unobtrusive under tshirts etc, and the sports bra will be fine when I'm wearing more layers. If sports bras had a smoother shape they'd be perfect, but alas, protruding seams are apparently the price you pay for proper scaffolding!

The only slightly frustrating part of the process was that there were plenty of pretty, lacy, colourful, feminine bras in the shop (which are just not 'me'), but not many plain, basic styles. Even the plainest still had small bows on them. 

"No lace. No lace, Mrs. Bennet, I beg you!" (P&P 1995, Ep.1)

But I am now the happy owner of two comfortable bras in the correct size, which is two more than I've ever had in my life. About time too!

Cardigan complete!

Whee, it's finished at last! And it fits, and the colour is fantastic. :)

I actually finished knitting it last month, shortly after writing this post, but I ordered buttons from overseas and they took a while to arrive. I also really dislike sewing on buttons (disproportionately to other finishing-off tasks - I quite like seaming for example), so procrastination also took its toll.

Anyway, here are the stats...

Pattern: Cria by Ysolda Teague (short-sleeved version),
Yarn: Little Wool Company 4-Ply in 'Lime', 1171 yards (1.3 skeins),
Buttons: vintage ones from this Etsy store.
Things I love about it:

• the subtle contrast between the garter-stitch top and the rest of it (in stockinette)
• these simple stitch patterns don't look too 'busy' with the variegated yarn
• the little details that make it look polished, e.g. the tidy transitions between the garter-stitch front to the sleeve, and the slipped stitches which stop the button bands 'flipping'
• the stealth pockets are seamless - only the top opening shows
• the buttons are shaped a bit like wine gums :)
• did I mention the colour? <3

 

The weather has cooled down a bit now with winter setting in, but being a warm-blooded creature I should still get to wear it for a little while. Time to get started on my next cardie, which will be a wintry one this time: a golden-brown Iðunn with dark-brown details. It should go a lot quicker, with the thicker yarn. We shall see!

For your viewing pleasure

First, an excellent new documentary about Bach's life and music. Really interesting, and some lovely snippets of music. It's an hour and a half long! I'm in Bach-nerd heaven.

...And here's something completely different: for an old friend's wedding present, Chloe made a very tongue-in-cheek rap video. Willie helped out with some of the dancing and filming, and I did general gofering. It was pretty much the most hilarious experience ever.
Here's a link to the video: Ra's Wedding Rap

My blog is 1 year old today!

Mum and Dad rustled up a photo of me with the correct number of candles:

(actually my christening photo, shhh...)

This was my first post on my then-brand-new blog: Adventures in cardigan knitting. My Dad (a veteran gardening blogger) helped me set it all up.

I've since finished two cardigans (nearly!), lots of smaller knitting and crochet projects, seven new designs, and two revisions of older designs. I've moved to a new country, and seen koalas and lots of new birds. I've sung in a few concerts, joined a new choir, and attended the opera twice!

It's been a very eventful year. Blogging has been excellent for keeping my writing skills in use, giving me a record of my projects and thoughts, and most of all, for keeping my family and friends back in New Zealand up to date with my doings. Here's to all the adventures to come. :)

The end is in sight!

I finally got back to work on my green Cria cardigan, which has been languishing in its project bag since December while I worked on other things. I've been powering through the 'body' of it for the last week or so, making the most of the motivation while it lasts.

Crafter's chaos!

I have another few inches to go before binding off the hem, and then I'll just need to knit the pocket inners and sleeve cuffs, find some buttons, and I'll be done! I decided to go with short sleeves in the end, because they're just so cute. If all goes well, I'll finish just in time for autumn-cardigan weather. :)

Trying it on to check the fit (several inches of knitting ago)...

...And trying it on again today. I still adore the colour!

My '3D' crocheted blanket has also grown bigger, but I'm taking a break from it right now while I get the cardie done. I still have a couple more rows of squares and a border to go.

My squares are kinda wonky, but blocking will sort it out. :)

Icy goodness

Inspired by Melissa of tiny happy, I bought some ice-block moulds and am amusing myself coming up with flavours. I'm keen to try her Piña Colada combo, next time the moulds are free!

Here are two mini 'recipes' of my own. I found they weren't overly sweet (which suits me), but you might want to add more sugar if you have a sweet tooth. Each recipe makes enough for 6 ice-blocks.

Apple Cinnamon
1 tin apple slices/chunks (unsweetened)
1/2 cup apple juice
1 Tbsp brown sugar (or more, to taste)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Coconut Rough
1 cup milk 
1/2 tin coconut cream
2 Tbsp drinking chocolate powder (or more, to taste)

Instructions: Whizz all ingredients in a blender, pour into ice-block moulds (leaving 1/2 inch at the top for expansion). Freeze for 4 hours.

Now if only I could figure out how to eat them without getting drips down my front... Obviously I have not yet outgrown the need for a bib. :p