2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

TwibbleDee

I've finally ordered a new nightdress (the one pictured on page 20, I believe it was), so that's another 6 coupons gone.

Hubby asked me why I haven't bought new underwear yet - because I have to find a new style I like! They changed the old one I used to get and the newer ones all ride down inside my leggings! 

skogar

Hi Laura,

Many thanks for the advice - it's really useful as it gives me ideas for how I would do the heel turn for any size of sock / type of yarn. The advice on running the heel is really useful too. I will do that

I only realised when I got the pattern that they said it was easy because there were no short rows. The odd thing was that it wasn't the short rows I had the problem with. Although the first time I tried them I couldn't really understand how the instructions in the pattern would product a sock heel when I blindly followed the instructions I could see what it was trying to do.

The advice on how to avoid holes will be very useful indeed - it's exactly what I needed. :-) Many thanks.

Laura_Elsewhere

@skogar, glad it helps   
It's quite handy being able to change the numbers as you like - I quite like doing stranded colourwork on my socks, and sometimes the number of stitches in a repeat means it's just not going to work for a 'standard' sock-pattern... I just see how it goes. And some days I just don't feel like neat even numbers and happily play around with all kinds of odd numbers.

My current sock has a heel-flap on 39 stitches, with 33 left on the needles for the top of the foot later on, because I've got a pattern knitted into the flap which needs a peculiar number for the 4-stitch repeat to sit symmetrically, plus one each side to slip... it'll work, I know, because you don't need to obey a published pattern so long as you understand how it's all working  

And if you have tall heels or flat feet or whatever, you can make changes so your feet fit your socks and your socks fit your feet! 

Oh, one other thing for making them longer-lasting: try knitting a larger size sock than you need, using smaller needles than they say. So instead of a Medium sock on 2.75mm needles, try a Large knitted on 2.25mm... it makes a denser sock, and that's far more hard-wearing. Historically, socks and stockings were much less floppily knitted than modern ones, hence why they lasted better... 

PipneyJane

@skogar may I second Laura’s advice?  The basic sock recipe I learned is built over multiples of 4 stitches.  (My recipe came from Opal.) I knit my 4-ply socks on 2.5mm double pointed needles, using 60 stitches for my size 5 feet.  DH’s size 11 feet need 72 stitches.  

The only thing I would add are a couple of tricks I learned from the Yarn Harlot:-

1. When you knit the first round of the gusset on the picked up stitches along the side of the heel flap, twist them by knitting into the back of the stitch instead of the front.  Twisted stitches are tighter than regular ones, so will prevent potential holes.
2. To prevent a hole where the heel flap meets the stitches for the top of the foot, pick up one or two extra stitches at that point, i.e. from the row above where you started the heel flap.  Laura knits them together on the next round; I don’t.  I just incorporate them into the gusset.    (If you look on Ravelry at any of the socks I’ve knitted most of mine have the gusset knitted over 17 stitches.  If there’s still a hole, you can always run a small piece of yarn around it to tighten it up and then weave in the ends.

- Pip

Madbat60

Just popped in. No coupons spent yet. I wish I was better at knitting, being a bit dyspraxic it takes me ages to do things. Today, I'm starting a tea dress made from a freecycle duvet cover.  I presume this is the same as a charity shop find.

PipneyJane

Madbat60 said:

Just popped in. No coupons spent yet. I wish I was better at knitting, being a bit dyspraxic it takes me ages to do things. Today, I'm starting a tea dress made from a freecycle duvet cover.  I presume this is the same as a charity shop find.

Yes it is, @Madbat60.  All secondhand items are coupon free.  Good luck with your sewing.  Please share a photo of the finished garment.

- Pip

CAFCGirl

How is everyone's knitting going?

I've read through the posts and it feels like a different language, or quantum mechanics to me, I'm awed by you all!

No coupons spends to report (although there will be soon enough) as everything has been secondhand. A few new pairs of hi top trainers, and some tops for underneath the dungarees.

I'll be needing to buy some other new bits soon - the dreaded underwear. 

But I am excited for spring coming home, the light returning and being able to wear more of my wardrobe without having to cover it up with big coats and woolie items 

PollyWollyDoodle

Thank you for the sock advice, some really useful tips there. I found the ball band lurking at the bottom of my bag, it's Sirdar Heart and Sole so definitely intended for socks. It just doesn't feel as if it's going to be very comfortable, perhaps it will improve on washing. 

PipneyJane

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Thank you for the sock advice, some really useful tips there. I found the ball band lurking at the bottom of my bag, it's Sirdar Heart and Sole so definitely intended for socks. It just doesn't feel as if it's going to be very comfortable, perhaps it will improve on washing. 

Not a brand that I’ve used @PollyWollyDoodle, unless they sell it as “Red Heart, Heart & Sole” in the US.  (An American friend gave me some of the latter.).  If they are the same, it will soften up - the socks I made are definitely soft and cozy now and hard wearing.

- Pip

Cherryfudge

CAFCGirl said:

How is everyone's knitting going?

Very slowly! I haven't done any for weeks: life gets in the way. In fact I was thinking of making progress on the toy I started some time ago, as a way of unwinding now I have some days off.

I'm with you on not wanting a thick coat and woolly scarves any more. I love the freedom of a hoodie or jumper instead. I'm seeing so many snowdrops and other flowers now, though - spring will soon be here!