2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

MrsCD said:

Here's a link to the easiest boot toppers ever!

https://blog.expressionfiberarts.com/2013/11/22/free-knitted-boot-toppers-pattern-how-to-so-easy/?epik=dj0yJnU9UkNCbVJneEVBSkQ0YWxBMldLQy1leV9UOHdFOHZ4OTAmcD0wJm49UG5GR1VhTXJXVmZoUVpxVDhGVDhKUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1BHcVVJ

Mine's even easier - no change to stocking stitch, just cast on, k2p2 rib for as long as you want them, and then cast off...  

Useful suggestion and link in there to the excellent stretchy bind-off though - really worth using! 

Laura_Elsewhere

Welcome, @Hodgepodge! In this weather, you'll be wanting a hot drink - have a seat by the stove and I'll put the kettle back on... 

Don't worry too much about whether you keep track this year, or overspend, or whatever. It takes time. I think it took me til my third year before I stayed within coupons, and my first year I lost track and had to re-start with appropriate reduced coupons for the months left at least twice in iirc summer and November and still went over...  

But it's about making lasting, long-term changes... so just Keep On Keeping On!  

Now, where;'s that biscuit tin gone....? 

maryb

I saw a knitted jacket in Massimo Dutti this week which would fill a gap in my wardrobe.  I wasn’t tempted to spend precious coupons because it’s a weird shape when on but it looks as if it wouldn’t be hard to knit.  It’s cotton Aran weight.  Stocking stitch with a couple of rows of garter stitch where the colours alternate and what looks like an I cord edging.  Looking for a suitable pattern 

Laura_Elsewhere

maryb said:

I saw a knitted jacket in Massimo Dutti this week which would fill a gap in my wardrobe.  I wasn’t tempted to spend precious coupons because it’s a weird shape when on but it looks as if it wouldn’t be hard to knit.  It’s cotton Aran weight.  Stocking stitch with a couple of rows of garter stitch where the colours alternate and what looks like an I cord edging.  Looking for a suitable pattern 

Cotton can be quite difficult to knit a garment with - it has zero stretch to it, no 'give', and so for one thing it can be very demanding and tough on wrists as you are knitting. But also it means it works brilliantly for open airy fabrics, all those open-work summer tops to wear over a camisole, but it doesn't hold a shape very well. I would definitely look for a pattern designed for cotton if you want to use cotton, and look at reviews by people who have used that pattern and that yarn if possible. 

A few years ago I tried to knit a jumper in some 100% alpaca someone kindly gave me and it was really peculiar, the few inches of rib that I got done - then someone wiser than me explained about alpaca, cotton, acrylic, silk, all those yarns that have no 'give' to them so won't hold a snug rib or a neat shape! 

One option might be to knit the jacket in cotton yarn regardless but then to line it with lightweight cotton fabric which would keep the shape without adding bulk or weight. 

maryb

I think you are right about cotton and also the weight of it might stretch it out of shape.  But it’s got me thinking

PipneyJane

@Liverpool_Anne - 4p for a baby grow?  That is a bargain!  (The coupons come from the baby’s allowance.)

@PollyWollyDoodle  brilliant “save” for those boots.  Well done!

Hodgepodge said:

Late joiner here.
Tried last year but gave up, so determined to do it this year.

Welcome @Hodgepodge.  I see Laura’s made you a cuppa.  Here’s the biscuit tin.  Do have some.  (I took it home to top it up.). Please stay and chat and tell us all about yourself!  Do you craft?

- Pip

PipneyJane

maryb said:

I saw a knitted jacket in Massimo Dutti this week which would fill a gap in my wardrobe.  I wasn’t tempted to spend precious coupons because it’s a weird shape when on but it looks as if it wouldn’t be hard to knit.  It’s cotton Aran weight.  Stocking stitch with a couple of rows of garter stitch where the colours alternate and what looks like an I cord edging.  Looking for a suitable pattern 

That looks really nice @maryb.  They got the stripes matched beautifully. You could make something similar in a smooth 4-ply woollen yarn (e.g. West Yorkshire Spinners Signature Sock). 

Laura’s right about cotton.  In 2006, I tried to knit a cotton jumper.  Beautiful colour, but it was like knitting with string and not suitable for the pattern I was trying to make, which had lace in the ribbing.  (I bought it for the colour - pastel/shell pink.  It’s still in the stash somewhere.)

- Pip

Cherryfudge

Liverpool_Anne said:

Hi all, I have made a purchase but I think it is coupon free as it is for the expected baby. Please correct me if I am wrong Pip. While in Mr T I noticed sale signs on the baby racks. There really was some lovely things but not much in the right size for next winter and not much suitable for summer, probably been snapped up, but I did find a sleep suit / baby grow thing, nice bright red with baby's first Christmas size 6-9 months. Perfect as the baby is due in June. Originally £10 but no sale price but all the other stuff was at least half price so I took a chance. It went through the till and scanned as 4p, what a bargain

Fantastic find, @Liverpool_Anne! I was delighted to find in the small print on how coupons are distributed, that clothes 'generally suitable for children of up to four years' are coupon-free. I'm hoping this will stand me in good stead as DGD is petite and might even reach school age without coupon spends if we're lucky!

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all,
I am still ridiculously happy about the baby grow , 
@PipneyJane thanks for the info re baby clothes. Can I just clarify does that mean any yarn I get to make a few things for the baby is also coupon free?  The yarn will be purchased anyway but just so I know. Thanks.
@Laura_Elsewhere and @PipneyJane thanks for the info re cotton yarn. I do want to make a summer jumper at some point in cotton so I will make sure to find an appropriate pattern. I do have one but it is very old and is starting to wear at the seams, I have repaired it several times but I love it so much in the summer I am reluctant to let it go until I have a replacement.
Take care everyone

PipneyJane

Good morning All

Heard the lovely news on Monday that an old friend from Choir is 20-weeks pregnant.  She moved away a while ago, but now a group of us are planning an impromptu “baby shower” for her.  Looks like I’ll be knitting another Five Hour Baby Sweater:




- Pip