2024 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

@dND - have a go at knitting the socks! The great thing about knitting is that if it doesn't work out you can always just unravel it and use the wool for something else, or start again  
I always tell friends I'm teaching that they may well find they knit three socks to get a first pair because the second sock is often a lot better-knitted than the first- in fact, I encourage folk to do what I did and knit their first-ever sock in Christmassy colours, so they can knit just one and use it as a Xmas stocking or decoration    

dND

Laura_Elsewhere said:

@dND - have a go at knitting the socks! The great thing about knitting is that if it doesn't work out you can always just unravel it and use the wool for something else, or start again  
I always tell friends I'm teaching that they may well find they knit three socks to get a first pair because the second sock is often a lot better-knitted than the first- in fact, I encourage folk to do what I did and knit their first-ever sock in Christmassy colours, so they can knit just one and use it as a Xmas stocking or decoration    

Brilliant idea 😁

Laura_Elsewhere

I finished my second fingerless-mitt incredibly quickly- 6 days for the first, but only 4 for the second! Put them into the cold-water 1400rpm-spin rinse cycle this morning with my swimming kit, inside-out, and they seem to be a good size and density, very cosy but not too tight. 

Pattern is called 'Treads' (only I didn't do any fingers, just stopped at the knuckles), and is free online. https://oftherain.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/treads-a-tipless-gloves-pattern/

The textured-stitch sections are a bit fiddly, and I had to work out how to make the lateral braid stitches point the other way for the second one, but it's worth doing! 

I used some cream 5-ply 'Gansey' wool made by Falcon, back in the 1970s, knitted to a tighter gauge than the pattern calls for (it says cast on 40; I cast on 60 and then fulled them down in alternating hot and cold water to fit) so very tough and hard-wearing, I hope! 

dND

Found this yarn in my stash that I bought years ago. It's 75% wool and is designated a sock yarn.  The supplied pattern is in French/German/Italian as I bought it in France so no chance of me using it.  I've had a quick look Ravelry and I'm thinking about the Back to Basics pattern.
Hopefully no coupons as I've had this since before the war started. 🤞
Now to do my bit and learn how to knit a pair of socks. 😁

Laura_Elsewhere

I've used different yarn by Crelando- I think Aldi or Lidl sold it at one point- and it was good enough that I bought more  

I've been knitting socks for twenty years or more and taught myself from my Gran's 1920s Weldon's booklet (!) but I have heard a LOT of people praise Winwick Mum's beginners' sock-knitting pattern and instructions, which I believe are free online. 

thriftwizard

Reporting in from the battle front; I now have a "walking wounded" impatient patient to occupy me & keep me out of retail mischief! Himself has been discharged with a device implanted that should keep his heart from dancing to several different beats at once in future. Sore from the broken ribs and feeling somewhat sorry for himself - quite understandably! - but up & pottering. DD2 & I between us have a full-time job on our hands, preventing him from trying to do too much...

PollyWollyDoodle

Glad to hear he’s home, and hope he is soon restored to health.  You must be very relieved to have him back. 

MrsCD

Pleased he's back home, @thriftwizard! 🙂
I second Laura re sock knitting. I learned during lockdown via Winwick Mum's tutorials, then went on to find alternative ways of making the heels and toes. Once you start, mind you......😉

2Scratters

@thriftwizard it will be hard to keep DH pinned down he's a man. Some just don't get it  I too have a similar problem with mine. So glad he is home it will be easier not having to travel. Wishing him a not too frustrating convalesense/recovery.

2 Scratters xx

PipneyJane

thriftwizard said:

Reporting in from the battle front; I now have a "walking wounded" impatient patient to occupy me & keep me out of retail mischief! Himself has been discharged with a device implanted that should keep his heart from dancing to several different beats at once in future. Sore from the broken ribs and feeling somewhat sorry for himself - quite understandably! - but up & pottering. DD2 & I between us have a full-time job on our hands, preventing him from trying to do too much...

Excellent news @thriftwizard.  I am so pleased Mr TW is home.  (Those devices are miraculous, too.)

dND said:

Found this yarn in my stash that I bought years ago. It's 75% wool and is designated a sock yarn.  The supplied pattern is in French/German/Italian as I bought it in France so no chance of me using it.  I've had a quick look Ravelry and I'm thinking about the Back to Basics pattern.
Hopefully no coupons as I've had this since before the war started. 🤞
Now to do my bit and learn how to knit a pair of socks. 😁

@dnd may I suggest the sock pattern from the link in the first post of this thread?  It was created by me and @Laura_Elsewhere

I have used that exact yarn.  Bought it in L!dl in December 2012 (so Ravelry tells me). I bought enough to knit a jumper with the blue and multiple pairs of socks with the multi-coloured yarn.   It softens up nicely and wears well.  

- Pip