2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

Liverpool_Anne said:

@PipneyJane, it was because the wool was so soft the hwb covers didn't hold their shape but there were no breaks in the thread. I hear what you are saying about crochet, yes it is much quicker but it seems to use more yarn for the area of fabric produced. I will have a ponder, thanks for the advice

Crochet uses A LOT MORE yarn for the same area than knitting! 

What about using the soft yarn in a wide rectangle, so it can go over legs lengthways or round neck and shoulders sideways? Smaller than a blanket, so the yarn might be sufficient, but still very useful. 

And how about using a deliberately very loose stitch which exploits the softness? I suggest experimenting with something like knitting one row and then the next row you wrap the yarn round twice on each stitch; when you knit the next row you only knit one of the round-twice and let it drop away and you end up with a loose, soft decorative stitch that will trap lots of air without being so loose and gap-y that you're constantly getting thumbs caught in it...  

Like this, only they work three normal knit rows in between each decorative row - I use it to make string bags wrapping it four times round to make longer loops and work it with only one plain knit row in between and it's fine and stable, but I reckon a spot of experimental work is in order to see what you like  

https://www.studioknitsf.com/drop-stitch-garter-knit-pattern/

Edit To Add: personally, I wouldn't knit it the way that link suggests - far easier simply to do alternate rows:
a: knit, putting the yarn twice round each time (so you end up with twice the number of loops on the RH needle)
b: knit only one of each pair of loops, letting the other one drop off
(if in the round, then purl row b)
The link's version seems very complicated to me If you wanted the plain bands between decorative rows, you just work a couple of rows of garter stitch after row b and before another row a... 

CapricornLass

I have a spend to declare - 5 coupons for a pair of slippers.  I'd worn the pile off my sheepskin ones.

diminua

Five coupons already spent on a top in the Jigsaw sale. I did have my eyes on it before but it's a 'smart casual' fitted t-shirt type thing and I was not prepared to spend the original £40 on it. I havered slightly at the reduced price of £12 but it will go with my purple jumper and black trousers, is thick material and does look nice on me, so on the whole I'm happy with my purchase. 

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all,
@Laura_Elsewhere, yes I like that idea but I like the look of the one in the link but I completely agree it does seem a bit complicated and your suggestion seems much easier. My only concern is that as the yarn is very fluffy I might have problems with just knitting the one stitch when it has been wrapped around twice, iyswIm.  I have a memory of knitting a jumper using mohair and it was a bit of a nightmare to be honest because it was so fluffy. Stupidly I made it twice in different colours because I loved the finished article so much, but it didn't get any easier . Sadly I no longer have them. One I grew out of and I passed it on to a friend and the other got shrunk when xh threw it in the washing machine, but the cat had a lovely bed for a while . I remember a visit to the vet and she commented on it as she dragged it out of the basket. I think she thought the cat was a very spoilt moggie having such an expensive bed . I did explain what had happened. Lots to ponder thank you. I am currently finishing a pair of fingerless gloves using pips pattern as a gift and I have promised to make another pair for someone else. All just using up bits of yarn left over so I have got a bit of time to think about it. Also I have to make a start on some things for the baby. I can't believe I have gone from doing an occasional make to having a queue of things to both knit and crochet . All thanks to the inspiration of you lovely people 
Take care everyone

PipneyJane

Liverpool_Anne said:

@PipneyJane, it was because the wool was so soft the hwb covers didn't hold their shape but there were no breaks in the thread. I hear what you are saying about crochet, yes it is much quicker but it seems to use more yarn for the area of fabric produced. I will have a ponder, thanks for the advice

True @Liverpool_Anne.  Crochet stitches and fabric are much thicker than knitted.  You could try to mitigate this by using a more airy pattern, or a larger hook size than usual (if you have a favourite stitch motif).  

If you prefer to knit a blanket then garter stitch is the most straightforward and will hold its shape best.

- Pip

Liverpool_Anne

I have had a bit of a brain storm and I have realised I can use some of the other yarn left over from the hwb covers. I got quite a lot from the cs as I really had no idea how much I would need nor how it would knit up but all the colours worked well together. So I am erring on the side of crochet with another yarn every so often to help the blanket keep its shape. I have to admit to having to google how to do a rectangular granny square   seems easy enough . I will update when I get to do it meanwhile back to the fingerless gloves
Thank you again for the help
Take care everyone

LLM2018

Hello. I bought 4 fat quarters in the sale for £1.99 so I have used my first 2 coupons

LLM

PipneyJane

In the "you couldn't make this stuff up" camp, apparently the Pantone colour of the year is "Viva Magenta". 



Seriously?  Who gave them the power to dictate these things?  This week, my email inbox has been full of emails announcing this, from companies as diverse as knitting magazines and clothing shops where I have an online account.  OK, I don’t care a damn what colour is “colour of the year”, but if it makes it harder for me to buy fabric/yarn/clothing/makeup in a colour that suits me, I will be most annoyed.**

Did anyone catch the rant on the BBC about the whole concept of fashion being devised by the industry to part us from our money?  I think it was Martin in his most recent podcast, but it may have been the one from the week before.  (I was too busy cheering, while washing up to note which episode.)

LLM2018 said:

Hello. I bought 4 fat quarters in the sale for £1.99 so I have used my first 2 coupons

LLM

That’s a good price @LLM2018.  You must show us photos of your quilts.

- Pip




** If anyone can recommend a lipstick in this shade, Please do so.  I have been after a good magenta lipstick for ages.  (I need a blue-red shade.)

Laura_Elsewhere

@PipneyJane, Pantone having been announcing a "Colour of the Year" and on occasion a pair of colours, for many, many years... it's actually quite interesting, the way they reach the conclusion. It's to do with a whole host of things, mainly current events, political upheaval, wars, pandemics, economic up- or downturns, women's liberation, equality of sexualities, changes in education, and all of that is considered in a number of different countries and cultures. 

It isn't proscriptive - they aren't telling anyone what to wear - it's more about how colour can be used to reflect social changes. 

Wik'a sez it started in 2000, so this is the 23rd year of it. Here are all the others:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantone#Color_of_the_Year

MrsCatz

@PipneyJane It’s “millennial” pink all over again. 

I like to binge Martins podcasts so I haven’t heard that one yet but I do agree. I just wear the colours I like and that suits me in the style I like and suits me and that is it.  I do like fashion but realistically I am not going to go to work in furry Ugg flip flops, well not in this weather at any rate.