2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

alicef

Oh thankyou @thriftwizard - I too love Aran but most of my winter jumpers are Arans so I haven't used the technique in a while, and I do enjoy a knitting course! Is your course residential?  I gaze longingly at Susan Crawford's retreats.

Stranded colourwork is, probably, my favourite knitting, (weaving ends notwithstanding). My technique, though, is quite basic (I drop my yarn). Some of the knitters, who did the Rowan Christmas blanket knit-a-long, were so proficient, that the back of their work was as beautiful as the front. I think if you can master holding a yarn in each hand, (which I haven’t mastered!), then I believe it makes floats and consistent colour dominance easier.  

After the socks, (plus a couple of other festive projects), I've lined up another lace work sweater, (I very much enjoyed knitting the 'Victory' jumper - and it was so quick to do), and then I'll try some of the patterns in Linda Ivell's book.  I'm working on the theory that if more of my stash yarn is converted into something than balls of wool added to stash, I'm winning!

weenancyinAmerica

@alicef - I agree with you about gazing longingly at the Susan Crawford retreats. I'm taking a basic course right now, but have problems with dropping a needle. Someone here has talked about a knitting belt to help hold the needle. Does anyone have some suggestions for me?

alicef

@weenancyinAmerica Ah yes - I would love to go on one of SC's retreats, (she has just released her dates for 2026) but I will have to console myself with a visit to her shop sometime next year.

Knitting belts I've never used one but it seems they are quite favoured by Shetland knitters such as Hazel Tindall ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YIPTy26vmI )  I had a quick peruse and they are quite pricey so if you could borrow one and have a go before investing? 

thriftmonster

I too have been looking at her retreats but persuade myself I could take my knitting on quite a few breaks for the cost. I have signed up for one of her one day courses at the end of September so maybe that will help

aethelflaed

Hi - just found this board. Is it too late to join for this year?

Cherryfudge

I'm pretty sure I joined in the middle of a year, @aethelflaed. And in fact, rationing started in summer, so you aren't far off the right point to empathise with those 1940s people thinking ahead to winter wardrobes when they had only so many coupons to spend. Welcome on board!

I'm no longer sure what we do about allocating coupons half way through the year, so I hope someone can advise?

We have been buying clothes but the only coupons spent were for DH, and he doesn't know he's on rations. Mind you, neither does the Gvmt. I picked up a rather lovely sweatshirt for £2 at a car boot sale, which I suppose would have been a jumper back in the day, but as it was second hand, I get it free of coupons.

MrsCD

Just popping in to share......
I'm still in awe of anyone who can bear to cut their knitting, but this is a game changer!

https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/how-to-make-a-needle-felted-steek/?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&_kx=_xugCDkW0llNWS9Dhh4D8Mho-JTU5I9rld7FardW6FMmc9WBh6wA-yXkIeqP0zYG.Wqr8UH

CapricornLass

I've never tried steeking, but it makes complete sense to needlefelt it.  Maybe I should have a go!

thriftmonster

I would still be terrified. Although I can see needlefeltng could help

aethelflaed

Thanks @Cherryfudge - so far this year, I've not bought any clothes at all. I have bought 200g of wool for a fairisle hat and mittens and 1/2lb of fabric in a scrap bag for a quilt. 

@MrsCD This looks like a interesting technique - I'll give that a go on my next piece. Thanks for sharing I've not had a problem with steeking and cutting before; I always go for at least 7 stitches and use a grippy wool to knit with - I can imagine cotton and bamboo would turn into a slithery mass of ends pretty quickly!