2022 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

Gem-gem said:

Laura_Elsewhere, I am most interested in what you are saying about washing and drying your sample piece. I am making my first ever blanket out of 100% wool and on the card it talks about washing and blocking your squares?!? Is this really necessary? Please excuse my ignorance. 

Well… not necessary exactly- the blanket will still be warm without it… but doing proper washing and blocking will make it look and handle much better.
for one thing, you may already have noticed that the squares are not all square- so pinning them square whilst damp will mean they relate to each other more neatly when you sew it together. Otherwise you can end up with wonky angles, lumpy seams and uneven edges that won’t stop it functioning as a blanket but will stop your hard work looking as lovely as it could do- and should do!

PollyWollyDoodle

Why to block   If you search elsewhere on the fabulous Techknitting site she also tells you various ways of doing it. I must admit I don’t always bother which is probably why my things don’t always turn out right …

Glad to hear the good news about your OH Gem-gem. 

Laura_Elsewhere

@PollyWollyDoodle, I don't bother for lots of things, but it would make a lot of sense for a blanket made of squares... especially if the squares are different designs and/or wools, even different colours of one wool can vary enough to make some behave differently... and trying to get a load of not-quite-squares to fit together and be flat and lovely...!

@Gem-gem, I should think all you need to do is wash the squares how you intend to wash the blanket (my washing machine has a very useful 'Rinse' cycle that uses only cold water and has a 1400rpm spin, which I use for all my woollens, really useful - wool never needs detergent), and then spread towels over a spare bit of floor or the spare-room mattress, and just pin the squares out and leave 'em til next day... 
We don't have a spare room and don't have any spare floor so I have to use either the only bit of sitting-room, meaning we can't set foot in the sitting-room all day, or our bed, starting first thing and hoping it will all dry in time for our bedtime! I really only bother with full blocking for lace shawls, tbh... 

Baileys_Babe

That is good news @Gem-gem you must both be relieved.

TwibbleDee

Not my handiwork, but my mother-in-law’s.  She crocheted this lovely throw for me when she realized she had yarn in some of my favorite colors in her stash.  If you can see my blue skirt underneath, the blues match almost perfectly!  I also have a dress in the orange color, the light plum, and the green one should be arriving today.

Baileys_Babe

That is lovely @TwibbleDee and very generous of your MIL

PipneyJane

Gem-gem said:

PipneyJane said:

Gem-gem said:

Cherryfudge said:

I hope he's okay @Gem-gem? Did you go to A&E?

Yes, DH went to A&E yesterday. He had a blood test that has said it is more than likely he has a clot. He is going back either tomorrow or Wednesday for a scan. They increased his blood thinning tablets. His leg/ foot is still very swollen, painful and his leg has changed colour.  I very gently rubbed cream into his leg and massaged his feet/ ankles to try and help his skin cope with the swelling and to try and reduce the swelling in his ankles and feet.  Very worrying times. 

@Gem-gem, I did wonder about a blood clot - the symptoms you listed were consistent - but refrained from suggesting it because I knew that I didn’t have enough information to diagnose.  Fingers crossed that it resolves itself soon.

Big hugs to you both.

- Pip

Hugs most welcome thank you. 

Good news, DH had his scan today. It is not DVT. It is a ruptured Baker's Cyst. Fingers crossed one -two weeks of rest and elevation and he will be as good as new. 

Have now completed 21/192 granny squares - blanket. There is a bright side to having your bank holiday weekend activities cancelled 😁

Have resisted all clothes buying - even when my favourite two clothes shops have a 20% discount. 

Thank God for that!  Hope the anti-bugs do their job quickly and it heals up fast.

There was/is a beautiful blue dress in the window of the Mind shop in Rochester.  I was disappointed to discover it is a size 8, so far too small for me.  (Even at my thinnest, it wouldn’t fit me.)

- Pip

Cherryfudge

Your MIL's crocheted throw is so pretty, @TwibbleDee - the colours really 'lead the eye' on to another. A great excuse for a new frock or two, I mean, you couldn't not, once you'd found a good match, could you?!

MrsCD

@Gem-gem, I'm so pleased your DH has had the 'better' result and hopefully will be right as rain very soon.

@TwibbleDee, the blanket is beautiful. Such lovely colours. Is the yarn dk or chunky?

TwibbleDee

MrsCD said:

@TwibbleDee, the blanket is beautiful. Such lovely colours. Is the yarn dk or chunky?

It looks like regular yarn to me if that helps?