2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

I've been very naughty today. Yesterday I got absolutely drenched on the way home and my coat was still wet when I walked in this morning. I have been looking at my coat for a while thinking I really need to replace it but I haven't found anything in the charity shops. I noticed that an outdoor shop in town had 70% off of everything so I had a look to see what they had. They had 3 coats in my size (which I thought was a minor miracle as normally they sell quickly). I tried them on and found one that fitted, was water resistant and long enough to cover down to my knees as well as being really toasty warm. It was down as being £115 so I decided to buy it as it would last me years and when I got to the till they said £89 so I was even happier. I am feeling bad spending over £200.00 on outdoor wear (I spent on boots as well this weekend) and I have spent two thirds of my annual clothes (monetary) budget in a week. That's another 14 coupons spent so I have spent my coupons I carried over quite quickly. To make me feel better about this I think I may get rid of 3 coats I have at home to compensate. If I wash two of them they may be alright for the charity shop and another one is a ski jacket which I haven't really used in 10 years so I will probably give that to the homeless shelter.

Laura_Elsewhere

Lisa, that isn't being naughty - you hadn't *got* a decent weatherproof coat so you bought a very good quality one which met all your requirements and fitted well, at a reduced price.

that's sensible!

It's not like you had four good coats at home already but had been absent-minded and come out without one so gone and bought a fifth one that didn't really fit and won't go with any of your other clothes and is actually now you look at it already coming apart a bit but it was cheap in a fast-fashion-throwaway store so you got it anyway. In two different colourways.

That would be naughty, if you're trying to reduce your consumption!

This is a good coat - and boots - that will last you for years and earn their keep! What's the £200 divided by the number of days you wear them annually? That's how they reckon you can work out the real value of an item. You'll wear the coat most days in the cold wet months, yes? If you wear it for most working days of Nov, Dec, jan and Feb, that's easily 100 days. So it's cost you a quid a day - and that's only for one year - wear it next winter too, and knock it down to 50p a day! And of course if it's a wet cold spring you'll wear it in March, or in a blustery October, etc., etc.

Crafty_Lisa_Hampshire

Thanks Laura - you make a lot of sense there. I also felt a bit better when I got home and had a really good look at my old coat and it really was starting to get a bit threadbare on the back so I am pleased that I got this new one. The old one is going to the tip in their rag bin. I am taking a ski jacket to the homeless shelter today at lunchtime. I am taking another one to the charity shop and there is a fourth jacket I am contemplating disposing of. I may try and upcycle it but I'm in two minds whether it is worth it. It has to be about 15 years old, unbelievably faded (fabric and buttons) and I am not sure the "stuffing" inside will cope with much more wear. I will still have a think on that. Anyway, I am pleased I have it now and am convinced it was a very sensible spend.

getmyacttogether2016

Have decided to try and learn crochet again so went for a lesson on Thursday evening. Took my wool along that I had picked out ages ago (probably around 18 months/2 yrs ago). Decided that was not what I wanted to use and wanted super chunky instead. 700g of wool found its way into my bag, so I believe that is 12 coupons used.

Really enjoyed it and going back next week.

GMAT

dolly84

Bought a Pachamama hand knitted cardigan in a charity shop yesterday, 5 coupons spent. I have a knitwear addiction and didn't need this but I do love these Nepalese and Peruvian type jumpers.

PipneyJane

CraftyLisaHampshire, I’ve been meaning to ask: why are you charging yourself coupons for stuff that’s already in your stash? You don’t have to do that; the ration was all about purchasing new items.

getmyacttogether2016 wrote: »

Have decided to try and learn crochet again so went for a lesson on Thursday evening. Took my wool along that I had picked out ages ago (probably around 18 months/2 yrs ago). Decided that was not what I wanted to use and wanted super chunky instead. 700g of wool found its way into my bag, so I believe that is 12 coupons used.

Really enjoyed it and going back next week.

GMAT

GMAT, if you’re going to slip... Do it properly. What was the yarn you bought?

Also, sadly, you’ve miscalculated. Two ounces of yarn (50g) costs coupon so 700g is a spend of 14, not 12 coupons. Sorry.

I am currently debating whether to rip back the jumper that I’m knitting, to below where I started the bust darts and to do them again, slightly higher up. I’ve also refined my technique for the left-side of the darts because, when knitting in the round, wrap-and-turn resulted in an enlarged stitch that will need over-sewing to fix. I think I will do it today - the jumper’s been in time-out for the last two weeks, so what do I have to lose? Hopefully, I can remember my new technique, since I didn’t document it at the time. (Numpty!)

My trip to Winchester this week didn’t result in a shopping trip at lunchtime. It was a full-on day, so we worked through lunch. However, my colleague did, proudly, display her “new” jumper to me and announce it was £2.50 from a charity shop.

- Pip

maddiemay

Laura - those fabrics look lovely, look forward to seeing the pics when it is made.

Lisa - so pleased that you have now reconciled the purchase of the coat and boots, as someone said "no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes to suit". I have been lucky enough to find quality bad weather gear and boots in CS over the years (dog walker and holidays spent walking fells, dales, moors etc, but have never begrudged to cost of "good" outdoor wear bought at the optimum price, some things are still going strong after years of wear (and care).

getmyacttogether2016 - have fun with the crocheting, I had some lessons years ago and enjoyed them, but never got into it:(

After much dithering I finally made up my mind and took my Rowan yarn and pattern to Wool Shop and asked the owner if she could get it made up for me, will be costly, but hopefully will be worth it to have a classic layering piece in colour and style of my choice and made to fit me. I see Rheumatologist in a few weeks and will ask if anything can be improved with my left hand, and will continue knitting smaller things and perhaps also try some Aran weight yarn from stash for a simple jumper which should be easier on larger needles and have less stitches per inch/row etc.

Laura_Elsewhere

dolly84 wrote: »

Bought a Pachamama hand knitted cardigan in a charity shop yesterday, 5 coupons spent. I have a knitwear addiction and didn't need this but I do love these Nepalese and Peruvian type jumpers.

If it was bought in a charity shop then it's second-hand and doesn't need any coupons, so you haven't spent 5 coup[ons at all! Well done!

Laura_Elsewhere

maddiemay wrote: »

I see Rheumatologist in a few weeks and will ask if anything can be improved with my left hand, and will continue knitting smaller things and perhaps also try some Aran weight yarn from stash for a simple jumper which should be easier on larger needles and have less stitches per inch/row etc.

Am I right in thinking you're nearish to Shrewsbury? I'd be more than happy to meet up sometime there and I could bring my knitting-belt for you to try, so you can find out if it eases the strain on your hands in knitting - I would be very happy to lend it to you, as I tend just to jam the needle into my usual belt so haven't used the actual knitting belt itself in years now.

When my spine went, the specialist physios were baffled by my being able to continue knitting until I demonstrated for them - they were fascinated as they'd never seen "anchored knitting" before, ie with the back of the RH needle held, and had a great time trying to work out just how it changed the mechanics of knitting in so many different ways!

Anyway - let me know. Weekdays are best, but I could do an odd Saturday if that was best for you

PipneyJane

Maddiemay, I hope the Rheumatologist can help. Also, it’s worth trying a knitting belt as Laura suggested. (Laura, your offer is very kind.). Another technique, which I’ve seen recommended, is Portuguese style knitting. I don’t know much about it but, IIRC, they either run their yarn around the back of their neck or use a pin on their shoulder to tension it. (I’ve never seen it IRL.)

I’ve changed my mind about ripping out my jumper (Blanche Too, by Susan Crawford). I tried it on - decided the darts are in the right place - then took a good look at the stitches involved in the darts. I will still have to over-sew the stitches, regardless of whether I do new-style or old-style darts. That’s saved me about 4 inches of re-knitting.

- Pip