Preparing for Winter V

Floss

MrsCD said:

It's been a lot colder over the last few days, so he's now wearing his thick fleece cardi, and I've put all my t shirts away and dug the jumpers out. 

Why not keep your T-shirts out to wear as an extra layer?

Fruball

Floss said:

MrsCD said:

It's been a lot colder over the last few days, so he's now wearing his thick fleece cardi, and I've put all my t shirts away and dug the jumpers out. 

Why not keep your T-shirts out to wear as an extra layer?

Good idea.  That is what I do in winter!  I don't have many vest tops though so they are on the list this year.

Nelliegrace

Last winter and American blogger wrote that she and her neighbour pooled their few snack foods, jelly and peanut butter when they were cut off by deep snow and ice for almost a week. Neither had the makings of a hot meal, they were used to takeaways, and the usual delivery meals drivers couldn’t reach them. 
We keep powdered milk, evap and longlife, and my first thought in severe weather is, “Do we have enough milk?” Black coffee is ok, but an emergency requires pots of tea. I have about a year's supply of looseleaf tea. Sainsbury’s had none of their own brand in this week.

Floss

Fruball said:

Floss said:

MrsCD said:

It's been a lot colder over the last few days, so he's now wearing his thick fleece cardi, and I've put all my t shirts away and dug the jumpers out. 

Why not keep your T-shirts out to wear as an extra layer?

Good idea.  That is what I do in winter!  I don't have many vest tops though so they are on the list this year.

I find that keeping my shoulders warm is a big help!

Laura_Elsewhere

I have a couple of shawls- you know, the things people wore in 1970s or 1870s- a big triangle of lacily-crocheted wool. Almost everyone wears them just laid over their back and hanging loose in front, but I made myself one from a few ounces of Shetland wool, and I wear it round my neck and shoulders and it's amazingly warming, very light and doesn't get in the way. I made one for Mum and she hardly wore it until I showed her how to wrap it around, and now she wears it a lot.

lay it over back and shoulders, a la ABBA 1975 ( ), with point of triangle pointing down your spine; now bring left front over right shoulder and right over left, and tie in a loose knot behind your neck. You now have a cosy neck-warmer that covers your upper back and your shoulders and upper arms, without restricting arm movement. 

if you have an old shawl, I recommend experimenting with other ways of wearing it- an old, old way with a really big shawl is to cross the fronts across your chest and then either tie ends behind waist or tuck into belt at sides- this gives a good protection if walking in cold winds. 

But I definitely reckon the casually-draped shawl is least-warm of all!

Cherryfudge

That's so useful to know @Laura_Elsewhere! I have two triangular crocheted shawls (one from the 70s and one I made to go with a wedding outfit) and they are sitting in a drawer not being used. I've seen old photos of shawls crossed over and tied behind and only thought of it as a hands-free way of wearing them. Mine might be a bit bulky to tie but I will try.

YorksLass

A definite Yes from me to wearing T-shirts as an extra layer under jumpers.  I'm not averse to wearing a knitted gilet over the jumpers either!

I'm currently eyeing up some lining fabric in my stash to make a few long lightweight scarves to keep my neck warm so thanks @Laura_Elsewhere for the wrapping tutorial!

Eenymeeny

In a similar vein to using shawls. I have a knitted poncho which was never practical for outside wear, particularly if it rained or was windy. It has a polo neck and is particularly handy to put on as another layer if you're just feeling the chill at home. I seem to remember people making a simple poncho out a cheap fleece blanket on this thread years ago. No sewing needed!

Wednesday2000

I think I mentioned on here that I had a poncho and it was very lightweight so dried quickly, but it was very warm. I’m going to look for one while I remember. I think it was only from Amazon.

it is still very mild here. I just went out for a walk and only needed a jumper. I have my fleecy blanket over my lap on the sofa just to be comfy.

Laura_Elsewhere

Ponchos are great for when you're sitting down, but I find them really difficult for actually doing anything, as they get in the way- if you reach across to pick something up, there's all this poncho hanging down knocking things over! 

I'm definitely a fan of warm layers that don't restrict my arms!

oh, another thing I suggested years back- if you have, or can buy in a charity shop/jumble sale, a handwash-only wool jumper, the fairly thin sort, that's too big for you, then put it in your normal wash and deliberately shrink it, then you can cut it without any unravelling- chop the arms and neckline off it and you have a warm layer to wear over a t-shirt and under another light jumper, without adding much bulk. You can cut bits off the sleeves to make wrist-warmers, or even leg warmers to wear under trousers  
You want the lightweight kind of jumper that M&S used to sell millions of, the sort all our grandads wore! 

It may not look dead pretty, but it will add warmth... and if you can sew, you can always stitch some decorative bits