Stupid throw away society

LameWolf

Littlefrugalcottage wrote: »

I love the idea of a cardi with pockets, would you suggest a pattern I can look at?

The pattern I'm using is one I've had for about 30 years, came as part of one of those "partworks" that were all the rage back then.

But pockets are easy to incorporate into any straighforward pattern.

You just make a pocket lining - the instructions on my pattern are to use 4mm or old-fashioned Size 8 needles, (ie same size as for the welt), cast on 23 sts, work straight for 4" ending with a WS row, and leave the sts on a spare needle/stitch holder.

When you make the actual front bit of your cardi, you decide where you want the top of your pocket, - let's say you want it 4" from the top of the welt.
You'd work til the piece measures 4" from the top of the welt, ending with a WS row, then to place the pocket, work thus:

Next row: K6, slip next 23 sts onto a stitch holder, and in their place K across the top of the pocket lining you made. K to end of row.

Now just continue straight in your given pattern as set; you'll have a flap of knitting sitting at the back of the work; this eventually gets tidily sewn into place, and forms your pocket.

You'll also have 23 sts on a stitch holder at the front of the work - to make your pocket top, work thus:

With RS of work facing and the needles you used for the welt of your piece, work across the 23 sts of the pocket top:
1st row: (RS facing) Work in rib as for welt, inc 1 st at each end of this row (25 sts)
Work a further 5 rows in rib.
Cast off in rib.

Then it just remains to neatly stitch the sides of the pocket top into place, and there you go - one pocket!

camelot1001

Have you tried M&Co? I think it may be a mainly Scottish shop but their clothing always lasts well. My SIL is a plus size and stocks up when she visits.
They are on-line too.

mardatha

Another vote for Woolovers from me.

fuddle

Yeah I got into woolovers because of mardatha a few years ago. They will send a catalogue to browse through. There are cashmere options but 100% wool are really well priced.

MoneyMission

Another vote for LandsEnd cardigans. I'm tall and get their ones for long people! They wash amazingly and last so long I get fed up of them before they wear out! Buy in the sale though.

Slowly57

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I suspect part of the problem too is most people are overweight these days. I think this probably leads to a different attitude to what price one will pay for clothing.

There is no way I would spend that £650 on a raincoat until I've lost the rest of the excess weight. For right this moment (ie current size) - that £7 one will do and I won't care about chucking it out as it becomes too big for me.

Re: 'overweight people' - people come in all shapes and sizes. Some people have to take meds that cause them to gain weight e.g. steroids. Some folks have to eat carb-rich diets that cause then to gain girth because they can't afford to eat anything else. Some people just ARE a size 20

£7 for a raincoat is one made in a sweatshop. You wont get cheap UK-made clothes because we have a minimum wage now. I think that if people looked after their clothes better instead of ramming everything at once into their washing machine then they'd probably last longer. I have stuff from Primark that is still fine after 5 years (and bear in mind I didn't buy it new).

moneyistooshorttomention

That raincoat was £7 from a charity shop actually and, if I had to hazard a guess, I'd say its original price would be somewhere or other hovering around the £150 mark - certainly not less than £100 originally.

I don't tend to go into charity shops - but, if a friend hauls me in as they want a look, then I'll scan the racks whilst there just-in-case.

[Deleted User]

I am more than happy to have a shufti in the CS, we have a smashing Marie Curie shop where I live . One of my DGS's Jack volunteers in there on a Saturday afternoon, and he gets all sorts of realy great clothes for himself there. Our local one is as good as a very posh shop and they seem to have lots of really good makes in there and certainly no tat

I bought a smashing Jaeger jumper in there in February which cost a fiver but the quality was really good and extremely cosy, I was happy to wear it and when my DD spotted it she begged me for it and as she doesn't buy much for herself because of clothing the DGS I said Ok . She adores it and was so pleased I couldn't refuse her.But I always keep a sharp look out when I go near the shop as their clothes are always looking good.

Their shop layout is great as well as they colour code all the clothes then size them up on individual rails Best CS I know of and what a great charity as well

Slowly57

LFC did you get sorted out with a cardi? Hope so!

Wandering off topic to say: No need to throw anything away. If clothing isn't good enough to give to sell on, then it can be put in another bag and donated as rag. The charity gets something for it and the clothes don't go into landfill. If you are donating something that has more value than the charity shop is likely to get in store - let them know - a lot also have an eBay charity shop to sell through - so they might get a better price that way.

JIL

I don't see any difference between TU at sainsburys, Tesco, asda and M&S. I have loads of cardigans and the more expensive ones have been no better than cheaper brands. I think you can tell by the feel of something if it will last.

After reading this thread I have decided to knit myself one, but I need to find a really easy pattern.