2026 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

kiwisavings said:

Greetings everyone,

 I've been inspired by all the amazing knitting projects this year from @SpikyHedgehog, @Laura_Elsewhere and @PipneyJane. Although it's a bit too hot and steamy here in NZ to get the knitting needles out, I have made my first sewing project for the year:


 As modeled on a pizza box 
They took quite a while as I was trying to replicate some old favourite underwear and had a few goes at getting the pattern right. 

Very clever!  @kiwisavings .  I am impressed!

I used to crochet my way through Melbourne’s summers.  Not so hot in the hand and didn’t require quite as much dexterity, when my fingers were swollen from the heat.  Only ever knitted in winter.  (Of course, things changed once I moved to Blighty.  Until recently, we rarely had summer days with that kind of heat.)

- Pip

maryb

Just sticking my oar in to agree with that and to add that if you have an even number of stitches in your heel flap ie you don’t have a centre stitch, just purl half the number in the heel flap before starting with the P2, P2tog, P1 turn.  The centre of the turned heel is always this narrow 

Laura_Elsewhere

Just to complicate things re the sock-heels...!

Only one sort of heel has the very narrow middle- other kinds of heel have a much eider middle...! Dutch heel, common heel, French heel... 

My own patterns, I knit about 2/3 of the stitches, slip-knit-psso and turn, starting on a knit row, not a purl row; then purl across til only 1/3 remain and p2tog and turn... which gives a heel that is far wider in the middle than either of your posts describe  

Laura_Elsewhere

Here's an example from the 1950s- the heel has 36 stitches and turning starts after knitting 23, so you knit together stitches 24+25 and then turn- crucially without working a stitch after the decrease.

I think that's the main difference: if you have a narrow heel-centre, you decrease and work one stitch before turning; if you have a wider heel-centre, you decrease and turn.

Laura_Elsewhere

Yes, here we are- you're both talking of a French heel but the Dutch heel used to be far more common in British sock and stocking-knitting, and before that the common heel (not in this pic- basically you knit the heel flap flat and then stop halfway across it and do a three needle cast-off to make a seam (which is surprisingly not uncomfortable) creating a square heel-cup).
anyway, here are the Dutch and French herls

PipneyJane

Laura_Elsewhere said:

Just to complicate things re the sock-heels...!

Only one sort of heel has the very narrow middle- other kinds of heel have a much eider middle...! Dutch heel, common heel, French heel... 

My own patterns, I knit about 2/3 of the stitches, slip-knit-psso and turn, starting on a knit row, not a purl row; then purl across til only 1/3 remain and p2tog and turn... which gives a heel that is far wider in the middle than either of your posts describe  

True @Laura_Elsewhere .  I’m not certain that mine isn’t a “German heel” since my formulae are based on a printout I got from the German brand, Opal, 20-odd years ago.  (To be honest, I haven’t looked up what makes a German Heel.).  The important thing is for the knitter to find a formula that works for them.

Has anyone noticed that M&S are selling bodies again?  They have two, black, long-sleeved thermal bodies on sale. The link is to the version that I am seriously tempted to buy.  Sadly, they only come in black.

- Pip

itsthelittlethings

I have a success to report. The lady who runs the shop (Olio) told her that her niece was giving away a pair of trousers and we are about the same size. I popped over her house last night. It took me ages to find it in the dark but I knocked on the door. When I saw her I thought they’ll never fit me as she’s much slimmer than me. I’d been told they were quite worn. I tried them on before bed and they fit like a glove and are a much more up-to-date style than the ones I usually wear. A big win for me! Maybe she’s lost weight. They are a good make too. You used to see it everywhere around 5 years ago but I think they have closed down because of the war.

0 coupons!

itsthelittlethings

A big success. I got a free handmedown pair of trousers which are amazing quality. 0 coupons.

Counted my coupons and I have 36 left.

I heard an article on the wireless (Instagram) about a dyer who is dying wool the colour of tube lines (did the tube run during the Second World War? Could they dye modern colours?). It will be available in March. I think I’ll get some. It’s sock wool.

itsthelittlethings

Need two bras and will need a new set of knickknacks before the year is out.

PipneyJane

On a different note, I’m currently reading Mary Stewart’s novel “Rose Cottage”.  Set in 1947, there are multiple references to rationing, including the following exchange when our heroine goes to the village shop:

“… What can I get you, then? Is it the rations?’
‘Yes, please. Here’s the book.’
‘Ta. Makes it easy, this does. This is only my second day, and I’ve not quite got the hang of Aunty’s shelves yet, but the rations are easy, and I’ve got some of them made up ready anyway.’

I’d never really thought how the average grocer coped during the War.  Obviously, the organised ones would prepare ration packs in advance.  

(The story is about a young woman who returns to her home village after 5-ish years away, in order to pack up her grandmother’s house.)

itsthelittlethings said:

I have a success to report. The lady who runs the shop (Olio) told her that her niece was giving away a pair of trousers and we are about the same size. I popped over her house last night. It took me ages to find it in the dark but I knocked on the door. When I saw her I thought they’ll never fit me as she’s much slimmer than me. I’d been told they were quite worn. I tried them on before bed and they fit like a glove and are a much more up-to-date style than the ones I usually wear. A big win for me! Maybe she’s lost weight. They are a good make too. You used to see it everywhere around 5 years ago but I think they have closed down because of the war.

0 coupons!

Lucky you @itsthelittlethings !  I hope you get lots of wear out of your new trousers.

- Pip