2026 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

Knitters, what is the first law of knitting? Read the damn pattern throughout, at least once before you begin.

What is the second law of knitting? Reread the goddamned pattern before you restart knitting, whenever you’ve taken a break from knitting that particular item.

Guess who failed at both? I got 9 inches into knitting my chevron cardigan, when I realised that I should have started the chest increases at 6 inches! That was Sunday morning. The nature of the beast meant that I couldn’t reliably insert a lifeline to frog back, while keeping track of the chevrons. I finished tinking back, yesterday evening: 24 rows and 5,760 stitches undone.

< sigh >

It looks good, though, doesn’t it?

We’re away for the week, at a games convention in Norfolk, so apologies for not posting. At least I’ve had a lot of (un)knitting time.

• Pip
  

Cherryfudge

Oh Pip - what a challenge! I think being willing to frog it, rather than abandoning or carrying on regardless, is the mark of someone who loves quality.

I love the yarn and I bet that pattern is super-bouncy to touch, and warm to boot.

weenancyinAmerica

@alicef - Wow, I am impressed by your socks!

alicef

Thank you @weenancyinAmerica !

The sock pattern is Winwick mum's one (free pattern).

https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/2014/05/basic-sock-pattern-and-tutorial.html

and the yarn is WYS Signature 4 ply Country Birds which is self striping so does all the work really. I stick to this pattern because I know the stitch count and dimensions for the OH foot size now and I can knit them whilst watching TV. I've started knitting socks in earnest because the cost of socks from Community Clothing is now quite pricey and they are too fine to darn, (plus I managed to buy some WYS last year at quite a discount). I'll be able to darn the knitted socks.

@PipneyJane it's so frustrating when that happens!

Gem-gem

@alicef - Wow, superb socks, lovely colours.

I have finally finished the blanket that I was making for an eightieth birthday present. Birthday not till October. Used yarn that was given to me by my DM. Just bought two extra balls for some colour (last year). I did block the quadrilaterals but struggled to make the couple that were a little bigger smaller.

Baileys_Babe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81852959#Comment_81852959

Thanks @thriftmonster for mentioning the exhibition and the comments from everyone else who has seen it. I managed to rearrange things so I've visited earlier this week and recommended it to a friend when it's displayed near them.

The details were amazing and I had some great conversations with fellow visitors 🧶

Laura_Elsewhere

@alicef have you come across the technique of 'running' the vulnerable areas before they wear through? It's much faster than darning, and it means the socks last much longer before they need darned.

Sally Pointer has a really good explanation of it :)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwY2xjawPqV-xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR41odcSvBRmdIKEhKznvl2opHplmvMyk_2XjRF5TlRYehBwWHCh3H2ozOg6ng_aem_f6T90dRwv9TWAiCMTbpjLg&v=4fKKLOUNOHU&feature=youtu.be

thriftmonster

My friend and I did visit the Longest Yarn 2 yesterday and we were blown away by it. I think I had expected a long panel like the Bayeux Tapestry (no idea why) so the 80 different scenes were amazing. The details and the creativity were unbelievable. We each bought the book which we have already started poring over. I can highly recommend it -glad you got there @Baileys_Babe

We're in Lytham for a couple of days so looking forward to some coupon free perusal of the charity shops and a lot of knitting

That blanket is lovely @Laura_Elsewhere

Laura_Elsewhere

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81863124#Comment_81863124

that's not my blanket- it was made by @Gem-gem ! :)

alicef

@Laura_Elsewhere that was a really interesting tutorial - I was surprised how little the reinforcing shows on the right side. I did invest in some darning yarn last year, so it makes sense to add that extra step to my sock making. I need to go and excavate the strata that constitutes my OH's sock draw to determine the dominant wear pattern. I asked to see the sole of his foot this morning and the whole underside was threadbare! I have also decided that I need a copy of Weldon's Encyclopedia in my life.

@Gem-gem Gorgeous blanket! I do love a handmade blanket - though not the end weaving in. Handmade blankets and welsh blankets are my weakness.