2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

maryb

PipneyJane said:

Your sock yarn is DK.  Use 3mm DPN’s and follow this formula:

Cast on 48st.  Join.
Work 10 rounds of K1 P1 rib.

Rounds 11-50 knit.

Heel work over 24 stitches.

Gusset pick up 15 st on each side.

Foot knit 30 rounds.

Toe work down to 8st on each side, then Kitchener Stitch.

This is the formula I use, which is based on a Regia leaflet I got years ago.  For more detail, follow the sock pattern.

HTH

- Pip

PIp this is very useful as DD2 has ordered some slouchy socks for Christmas so I'm doing this and alternating bands of stocking stich and 1x 1 rib on the leg which makes it concertina into a slouchy top.  Can I ask how many rows you do for the heel flap?  It looks like you do 30 if you are picking up 15 stitches for the gusset but that would make quite a long heel flap in DK.  If you are knitting 4 ply you usually do as many rows as stitches and applying that to DK that would be 24 rows so you could only pick up 12 stitches.  Bit confused

Baileys_Babe

Baileys_Babe said:

MrsCD said:

Well, I've completed the GCHQ Christmas quiz at last, so I can get cracking putting some dinner on! 
No, really, I've been on with it since last Wednesday when it was released, but I've worked it all out on my own,  so I'm feeling just a bit pleased with myself. I would have loved to work at Bletchley Park.
Does anyone else like these puzzles,  and have you done the daily ones on the BBC?

I'm enjoying it, I have completed everything except question 5 where I can't even work out where to start, I'm going to have another look this evening 🤞

I had another look and something clicked, I've an answer for question 5 😀 yesterday this seemed an impossible task.

I have completed the 7 questions now I just need to work out the final quest - you can tell I've been watching Percy Jackson.

PipneyJane

maryb said:

PipneyJane said:

Your sock yarn is DK.  Use 3mm DPN’s and follow this formula:

Cast on 48st.  Join.
Work 10 rounds of K1 P1 rib.

Rounds 11-50 knit.

Heel work over 24 stitches.

Gusset pick up 15 st on each side.

Foot knit 30 rounds.

Toe work down to 8st on each side, then Kitchener Stitch.

This is the formula I use, which is based on a Regia leaflet I got years ago.  For more detail, follow the sock pattern.

HTH

- Pip

PIp this is very useful as DD2 has ordered some slouchy socks for Christmas so I'm doing this and alternating bands of stocking stich and 1x 1 rib on the leg which makes it concertina into a slouchy top.  Can I ask how many rows you do for the heel flap?  It looks like you do 30 if you are picking up 15 stitches for the gusset but that would make quite a long heel flap in DK.  If you are knitting 4 ply you usually do as many rows as stitches and applying that to DK that would be 24 rows so you could only pick up 12 stitches.  Bit confused

24 rows for the heel flap before the turn.  Apologies - I forgot to add that to the note.  I’ve edited it now.

With heel flaps, the rule of thumb (toe?) is one row per stitch, so if working over 20 stitches, you would work 20 rows; 36 stitches, 36 rows, etc.

HTH, @maryb

- Pip

Gem-gem

Good morning. 

One small spend to declare. A pair of socks. Was £14 (high percentage of wool) 
with discount and voucher sent through the post, final price £1.90 😀
My coupons have been blown out of the water. I think I have probably used up my husband's as well. Roll on next year. 

maryb

Perfect Pip thank you, that's what I thought.  But picking up 15 stitches instead of 12 will be a bit of a squeeze

PipneyJane

maryb said:

Perfect Pip thank you, that's what I thought.  But picking up 15 stitches instead of 12 will be a bit of a squeeze

I use a latch hook - from the base of a knitting machine - and pick up the stitches with that.  The extra ones come from the "corner", where you go back to knitting the leg stitches.  It helps prevent getting a hole there.

HTH

- Pip

maryb

15 stitches worked out ok - it was actually only an extra 2 along the sides once you took out the extra one you do into the running strand to close the hole at the corner of the gusset.  I love the way DK knits up so fast! the bands of rib and stocking stitch are concertina-ing nicely - reminds me of my Jane Fonda aerobics leggings (yes that dates me!)

PipneyJane

maryb said:

15 stitches worked out ok - it was actually only an extra 2 along the sides once you took out the extra one you do into the running strand to close the hole at the corner of the gusset.  I love the way DK knits up so fast! the bands of rib and stocking stitch are concertina-ing nicely - reminds me of my Jane Fonda aerobics leggings (yes that dates me!)

Phew!  I am so pleased they’re working out well @maryb.

I finished work today - until 5th January - and am feeling at quite a loose end.  (DH has gone on a pub crawl with his mates from work, to celebrate breaking up for Christmas.). Started watching the modern film version of Whisky Galore, which was broadcast on the BBC a week ago (13th December).  I’m about half an hour in and several things have jarred with me so much that I’ve given up watching!

Firstly, a gentleman lies down on some external steps and dies.  It’s nighttime and there’s a lamp burning over a nearby external doorway in clear contravention of blackout regulations!  No!  That would not happen!  They may be 100 miles from the mainland, but any light will give the enemy an idea of where he is and provide a target.

Second, the Home Guard build a barricade across the only road on the island.  A private car drives towards it.  Where did they get the petrol?  Private vehicles did not get a petrol ration in 1943.  It was tightly controlled and far too precious to waste on private vehicles.

Third: a respectable lady buys fish from the fisherman’s stall on the quay.  Cash changes hands, but no coupons.  This is in the open, not black market.  Where is her ration book?

Fourth:  the postmaster’s two daughters are unmarried and in their early 20’s.  Why have they not been conscripted?  They should have been called up by now, to work in the land army, one of the factories or in the auxiliary services.  Only a handful of professions were exempt from being called up (nursing for example), but at best these two are shop assistants, so not exempt.

Arrgghhh!!!!   I couldn’t take it any more and have deleted it.

- Pip

alicef

Been away for too long which means vast amount of concertina'd activity this weekend 

I've have finished socks for the Christmas guest, (just need to block); the OH might - just might - get a sock.  I think a gift IOU is in the offing.

On list is to rake moss this weekend and make up 2 door wreaths; decorate tree and anything else I can fit in;buy an actual Sunday paper to read and then make paper chains and stars.  Sort out final shopping list, shop, and prep what I can in advance....

pour myself a large glass of something 

kiwisavings

PipneyJane said:

I finished work today - until 5th January - and am feeling at quite a loose end.  (DH has gone on a pub crawl with his mates from work, to celebrate breaking up for Christmas.). Started watching the modern film version of Whisky Galore, which was broadcast on the BBC a week ago (13th December).  I’m about half an hour in and several things have jarred with me so much that I’ve given up watching!

Firstly, a gentleman lies down on some external steps and dies.  It’s nighttime and there’s a lamp burning over a nearby external doorway in clear contravention of blackout regulations!  No!  That would not happen!  They may be 100 miles from the mainland, but any light will give the enemy an idea of where he is and provide a target.

Second, the Home Guard build a barricade across the only road on the island.  A private car drives towards it.  Where did they get the petrol?  Private vehicles did not get a petrol ration in 1943.  It was tightly controlled and far too precious to waste on private vehicles.

Third: a respectable lady buys fish from the fisherman’s stall on the quay.  Cash changes hands, but no coupons.  This is in the open, not black market.  Where is her ration book?

Fourth:  the postmaster’s two daughters are unmarried and in their early 20’s.  Why have they not been conscripted?  They should have been called up by now, to work in the land army, one of the factories or in the auxiliary services.  Only a handful of professions were exempt from being called up (nursing for example), but at best these two are shop assistants, so not exempt.

Arrgghhh!!!!   I couldn’t take it any more and have deleted it.

- Pip

Happy holidays Pip 

I haven't heard of the film Whiskey Galore and might check this out despite the errors that you have noted.
One thing that might make you feel better about it is that fresh fish wasn't rationed because supply could not be guaranteed. Fish and chips weren't rationed either, but you may have had to take your own newspaper to wrap them in.

From the National Archives: