2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

MrsCD said:

Did anyone see the programme about the sock factory? There was an interesting piece about how the Kitchener stitch came to be used for soldiers' socks (40 minutes in).

Oh they didn't, did they???

Apparently there is *no* evidence for this method of grafting the stitches together until the 1920s... which kind of makes Lord Kitchener either inventing, or adopting, it during the 1914-18 War a bit of a problem... currently 1923 is the earliest-known reference to the method. 

None of the 1914-18 patterns use it or mention it. 

What's more, it really wasn't used in the UK until, well, pretty much until the internet came along. It was an American and Canadian term, which also makes it seem unlikely that it had anything to do with British people knitting socks for British troops... 

I can't *believe* they are still telling it as fact, aaargh!!!

(Not your fault at all - most people believe it. It's only if you spend much of your time researching the history of knitting that you find out it is complete fabrication....!) 

Here's a useful summary of the theories and the complete and absolute lack of even a tiny bit of evidence for *any* of the theories...
 https://string-or-nothing.com/2005/06/21/kitchener-stitch/

PollyWollyDoodle

My friend always wears odd socks, she says she can’t be bothered to pair them up and since she is nearly always wearing boots as she works outdoors, nobody sees them. She doesn’t like to conform! I can’t bear it for myself, not because they look different but because ( unless they are part of a set) they feel different. It would drive me mad to have one sock leg longer than the other or to feel a different thickness underfoot so mine are always paired up. Except for that odd one that seems to have lost its partner even though I live alone and nobody else uses the washing machine… You do know that there is a sock monster living in there, right?

joedenise

Absolutely agree Polly!  I've got a few odd socks hanging around as does DH.  Eventually they usually turn up but one of DH's has been missing for a couple of months now so I think that's gone!  Mine has only been without it's partner since the last load of washing so suspect it's either in the wash bin or fallen down behind it!  Will check when I do the next load.

CapricornLass

There is a company which sells pairs of different patterned socks - colours are the same, but they are completely different patterns.  I bought a pair for my brother in law a couple of  years ago for Christmas.

LiverpoolAnne, sorry to hear that you have been in the wars.  Hope that the bruises are fading fast.

I have started knitting another woolly hat this time for a prisoner in Wandsworth.  They are complaining of being cold at night....

MrsCD

Thanks Laura. I've never really looked into the history of knitting much, but it is fascinating. You would think that Ruth would have researched it better, or her team!

PipneyJane

CapricornLass said:

There is a company which sells pairs of different patterned socks - colours are the same, but they are completely different patterns.  I bought a pair for my brother in law a couple of  years ago for Christmas.

LiverpoolAnne, sorry to hear that you have been in the wars.  Hope that the bruises are fading fast.

I have started knitting another woolly hat this time for a prisoner in Wandsworth.  They are complaining of being cold at night....

That is very kind of you, @CapricornLass.  While it's been years since I last drove past HMP Wandsworth, my recollection is of a decidedly Victorian structure.  I'm not surprised they're complaining about being cold at night.

- Pip

Wraithlady

Laura_Elsewhere said:

TwibbleDee said:

Laura_Elsewhere said:

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the local carpenter was called up in November... 

Maybe we can look around and see if we can find something suitable ourselves? 

Well...I do have a sheet of plywood, a saw, hammer, and nails...

Ah, the advantages of you living on the American base there! Even with wartime restrictions you have access we don't  

If we're doing this ourselves, then I have an old woollen blanket for padding (well, part of one - the rest is used as a draughtstop) and a piece of green velvet from one of Mother's old evening dresses which I'm happy to donate to a worthy cause, if it helps

Wraithlady

Laura_Elsewhere said:

What on earth are "avocado" and "salsa"? How many points do you need for those and do you think Mr Williams would have them in stock? How long do you boil them for? 

I don;t know what avocado is, but I think Salsa is Italian so you probably fry it in oil.

thriftwizard

I have some rolled cork you could use for the noticeboard! I have no idea how old it is but it came to me with some other articles that were definitely pre-war.

Liverpool_Anne

@ Thriftwizard, the rolled cork would work, lay it over the chipboard back, a few mini tacks to keep it in place and then I can put the frame on top. Should work a treat if it is reasonably thick.
@ Wraithlady, yes we could use the blanket and then cover with the velvet but it seems a bit of a shame to use it. So many other things you could do with them. Have you seen the beautiful rug made by Triftwizard, if I remember right, from old blankets and I am sure Laura could give you loads of ideas what to do with velvet.
Comment about avocado and salsa...so funny, just what I need after a long day on the laptop and phone and such miserable grey weather. Talking of weather, my friend's son who is at sea in the Baltic sent a message to say they were caught in a storm, had 45 degree rolls, he hadn't had any sleep or tea but it was a great experience. The joy of being young and fearless. Take care everyone