2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

skogar

Great Laura - many thanks I'll give that a try. I started my usual method which is the one you said everyone's Gran taught them and thought - I don't think this is going to be stretchy enough. I'll give the one you suggested a go. There appeared to be so many different ones I hadn't got a clue what to try!

PipneyJane

@Laura_Elsewhere those colours are beautiful now the yarn is dyed.  They will look lovely on you.

skogar said:

Hi Pip and Laura,

Is there a type of cast off you recommend for ribbing on wrist warmers so it is stretchy enough please? I know some different ways of casting on some of which are more stretchy than others but only 1 way to cast off. Have now realised the big advantage of knitting hats is you don't need to think about this.

@skogar - Try Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off from Knitty.com Fall 2009.  It will work regardless of the rib style.  It’s extremely stretchy but holds the shape of your garment.  I’ve used it several times.  The one thing to note is that it uses 3 or 4 times as much yarn as a regular cast-off.  (Usually not important but if you are running short....)

- Pip

skogar

Hi Laura - Many thanks. That is a lot better for this than the one I used before which wasn't very stretchy (cast off in pattern). 1st one is now finished. It was quite easy to do as well.

Hi Pip - Many thanks for the recommendation - I have just seen it now. I decided to crack on with Laura's suggested method so missed your post. I did see the Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off when I was looking at the many different cast off options and it looked like it could be useful so I will have a play with that one as a practice and see how the 2 compare. Looking at the instructions it looked like it might be a bit more complicated to follow but it may well be more obvious when I actually try it. Sometimes I find things are easier than they look intially. Thanks for the tip about how much yarn it takes - very handy to know that. 

zoeblowe

So here i am approaching the end of October thinking i'd used all my tokens - used the last for a new coat. But then i realised i'd counted 15 tokens for the coat when it was 14 - the thrill of having 1 token left - 50g of wool for those new mittens i want to knit it is then

CraftyLittleLisa

I have had a bit of a haul this weekend.  I met up with a friend for her birthday this weekend and we decided we fancied going to a local town to do charity shop shopping.  It was a really successful day.  I got a new coat to use at the allotment for £6.50 (what a bargain) so the other one can now be thrown out as it is literally in rags.  I also bought a man's shirt which I love the fabric so I will try and upcycle it into a top for myself, a black blouse, and a blue skirt.  I did also go into a department store in this town (a little independent one) and managed to get measured for a bra and bought two properly fitting bras with 20% off.  I know I am definitely over my coupons for this but it is years since I have been properly fitted for a bra and I am fed up with not having comfortable underwear.  I also popped into my Mum's and she then gave me a pair of knee high brown leather boots.  These were 0 coupons along with the charity shop purchases but I know the bras would be coupons.  I will try harder next year.  My argument for these spends is that I have had to purchase underwear and outerwear this year.  Hopefully next year it will be a bit better.

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, 

is there room for one more to join? I know that it is very late in the year. 

This challenge goes hand in hand with the journey that I am on a) minimalism b) only buy what is needed c) saving for FIRE d) want to spend money on experiences making memories not 'stuff'.

I don't do fast fashion, never have. 

I buy good quality classics - cost more but last longer. 

I am trying to be mindful of where my clothes come from. Trying to source clothes made in the uk where possible ( which is not easy - so any help/suggestions gratefully received). 
Next, from Europe eg leather from Italy / Spain. Happy for it come further afield - if it is where the clothes / material is sourced from. Eg. When I travelled to China, and visited a place where they farm silk worms, I bought a set of silk pyjamas and a silk duvet. BUT not from countries because companies have factories / sweatshops there because it is cheap. This month, I bought two scarves one for me, one for my aunt from a lady who had a stall in York, in the 'Made in Yorkshire' tent. Wanted to support homegrown business.(Sorry, will get off my soap box). 

I love homemade things but I am afraid that I am not able to make my own. Mum has taught me how to knit several times. I have knitted some scarves but not for years and Mum had to help me to cast on and off! I have a sewing machine - Mum's old one - once made a long skirt and Apron for a performance, but that was 20 years ago. Three years ago, I did make lots of washable make up remover pads from an old flannelette sheet, under the guidance of Mum. I can sew buttons back on, darn small moth holes in jumpers, sew up ripped pockets and take up trousers. I know how to do blanket stitch etc.
 
My talents are more in the kitchen and I am a novice gardener - grow fruit and vegetables. Do fruit swaps with neighbours. 

I hope that I can pick up some tips.

Clothes bought so far this year ...
tops x 4.  (20 tokens)
trousers /jeans x 5 (30 tokens)
knickers x 2 (4 tokens)
boots x 1 (5 tokens)
scarf x 1 (2 tokens?)
61 tokens used.
5 tokens left

Got three pairs of socks - free - received a £20 voucher from a company. Do you count the tokens if they are free or if you received it as a birthday / Christmas present?


Gem-gem

Laura_Elsewhere

Welcome @Gem-gem! 

You're very organised, knowing what you've bought all year! 

But I think if you bought your aunt her scarf then you have to use your coupons for it, unless you arrange for her to use her coupons...? 

And offers and vouchers - hmm, it's all a bit confusing to me. I think in the past when I had a free £20 voucher for spending, I still needed to spend the coupons, but I was going to ask @PipneyJane about 3-for-2 offers - if I only buy two balls of wool and the retailer gives me a third one completely free, do I still hand over 3 balls' worth of coupons even though the third one was a gift that I didn't buy?

maryb

 OOH that's a really interesting dilemma.  Of course, back in the day 3 for 2 wouldn't have existed.  I think it comes down to whether it was a factor in your decision.  ie did you really want three and the cost saving made you buy it then, or was it one of those occasions when you wanted two and the retailer said you can choose another one which you hadn't realised was the case.  
I think personally I would count it  but I'm trying to rid myself of the ooh free STUFF mentality so it's a good discipline for me

Laura_Elsewhere

@maryb - now that's a really good point - thankyou! Yes, I'd only been thinking of the money-spending, but this coupons challenge isn't about money so much as about quantities of STUFF - thankyou! 

I shall count 3-for-2 as being 3, then. 

Cherryfudge

Welcome, @Gem-gem, I'm another who's in reach of York.

@Laura_Elsewhere, I'm catching up here but I wanted to say how much I love the changes you've made with that wool! That russet feeds the soul.