2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Cherryfudge

"Tapes, braids, ribbons and other fabrics at three inches or less in width" - coupon free.

That's just as well: I bought a length of apron string and mended a work apron today. I'd hate to see the apron binned as it's a proper cook's apron but for some inexplicable reason the strings had come off.

MrsCD

@Laura_Elsewhere, the shoes and socks look lovely together. How did you cast on your socks? The top edge is so pretty!

Liverpool_Anne

I have spends to declare, 200g of a merino, silk and cashmere mix to make a shawl for my friend who was in recovery from leukaemia but unfortunately is having to start the battle again. I am using a free pattern from revelry called Lucky Shawl, hoping it is. Sorry I haven't worked out how to post the link. My calculation is 4 coupons leaving me 56 for the rest of the year.

Laura_Elsewhere

Cherryfudge said:

Laura_Elsewhere said:

as I'm doing another string bag I am realising that that beautiful elongated stitch might be just the right thing! I feel quite excited at the possibilities and will add it to my list! 

Oh dear, the strings bags have drawn you in too! I loved the way the blues, grey and lavender of my most recent bag emerged into stripes, perhaps your autumn wool will do the same? I hope that, if you do use it, you'll put a photo up.

It did occur to me that there's no particular reason the bag has to become a bag, either, IYSWIM. It would make rather a nice lacey scarf! (Tassels through the holes at the ends?)

That was just what I meant, sorry - using the stitch but to make a scarf or cowl, I think probably a scarf... and yes, you'll get a pic if it works, whenever I get to it. 

I'm using DK cotton and 4.5mm DPNs for the pinkish string bag, and 80 stitches instead of 60 (which I used for the 4-ply and 3mm version), and it's urning out quite a bit larger, so that's good...  I may try holding two strands together and using 6mm DPNS to make a yet-larger one, as my trusty old M&S black string bag has finally worn through after a decade or so of heavy use. I shall mend it (obviously!) but I'm jolly pleased I have a reliable stitch for making my own now - thankyou!

Laura_Elsewhere

MrsCD said:

@Laura_Elsewhere, the shoes and socks look lovely together. How did you cast on your socks? The top edge is so pretty!

It's a lovely, really easy, cheat of a stitch It's got various names, most of which are variants on Spiral Mock Rib. 

The sock itself is  fairly standard 72-stitch 4-ply sock (I did an elongated slipsitch on the top just because I get bored easily and didn't like the abrupt change from white to pink and wanted to soften it), but the ankle goes:

Cast on 84 (30, 24, 30) 

Sock 1: (K2, YO, k2, K2 tog) (16 repeats)

Sock 2: (SSK, k2, yo, k2) (16 repeats)

On R22, knit plain, decr -12 (decr 1 in every 7 stitches) to 72 (24, 24, 24)

R23: start 2/2 rib for 15Rs. 
Turn inside out so cuff folds down knit-side-out. 

And the edge sort of gives itself that little frill! 

Here it is, unfolded so you can see the underside and the ribbed ankle:



And the right way out:

MrsCD

That's great. Thanks @Laura_Elsewhere. The pattern seems reasonably easy for me to try!  I cast on 60 stitches. Do I have to cast on 84 to start, or should I reduce the starting number?
I'm knitting socks with some Christmassy yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners at the moment. I've done a lot of crochet this year and just wanted a change for my hands.

Laura_Elsewhere

@MrsCD - it can be any number so long as it's divisible by 6.... from memory I initially did my usual number but it came out tighter and looked odd so I re-did it with a couple of extra repeats in and that looked much much better and then I did a drastic-decrease round at the turnover, and the ribbed ankle onwards was just my usual. 
You might want to check before getting too far with the sock that you don't have the same too-tight problem I had!  

I used a self-striping yarn but I've also done this with making my own stripes and it really does work well. 

MrsCD

Thanks @Laura_Elsewhere. I'm going to write it all down and keep it in my knitting bag so I can try it with another pair of socks, once I've finished this pair.
So far, I've only made stocking stitch socks, using patterned yarn to make them interesting, so the 60 cast on has been just right. I will give it a try with the 84 and see how I get on.

Laura_Elsewhere

@Liverpool_Anne, I'm so sorry to hear your friend has to battle illness again, but how nice of you to make her a shawl... 

I am not sure - @PipneyJane would know - but I think it's possible you may get some points towards that from the Red Cross or similar, since you would be making supplies for the invalids, rather than just for yourself... or would that only be for military hospitals?

Liverpool_Anne

@Laura_Elsewhere, thanks for the thought but it's not a problem, even if I have to resort to the black market at the end of the year it will be worth it .