2026 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

The Gulf Stream is one factor (I think @maryb is right is saying "weakening"'of it, rather than actually "failing", @PipneyJane !). But also the jet stream high up is a huge factor, and a host of other things… it's very interconnected, and already things are not behaving as expected: basically no hurricanes yet in hurricane season, and nobody's really sure why not- but the concern is that with the ocean there being so much hotter than usual, when a hurricane does form it could be an absolute disaster. So there's almost no confidence about the forecast for the next six months, and we can only reckon that it will affect Britain in the usual way (wet windy rest-of-year; bitter cold later) but we don't actually know…

Definitely a time to just spend time preparing- and like in the War, trying to make sure you have the necessaries, for whatever happens! :)

maryb

just been down a Google rabbit hole about the winter of. 63. Apparently it was a weak La Niña the previous autumn not an El Niño. But the 1962 hurricane season was similarly below average. So no real correlation there. It seems it was a combination of high pressure systems in various parts of the Northern hemisphere. From what I’ve read it could indeed be bitterly cold in January-February. But at the same time they seem to be suggesting it will be cold but dry which sounds like it will be icy but not much snow

Who knows? I’m just glad I got a fixed gas and electric tariff through to end of next June since the price cap is going up next month and gas futures are indicating another hike in January. Get those hot water bottles ready ladies

PipneyJane

Afternoon All

I am happy to report that my WYS order was tucked behind the lavender bush, when we got home from our holiday yesterday. Fortunately, it was not possible to spot it from the street. God knows when it was delivered. It was also well wrapped and waterproof.

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Laura_Elsewhere

Gosh, @PipneyJane - glad you spotted it! And glad it was well-wrapped up too…

I'm planning to nip over next week to Ewe&Ply and see if they have anything left, but I suspect most of theirs has gone by now.

Greying_Pilgrim

Gosh I'm dim - I didn't connect that WYS did the 'Morris DK' yarn. I love that yarn - in recent years I've 'backed' my knitting ability (such as it is 🫤) and moved away from acrylic yarn and 'invested' in natural fibres. Unfortunately my knitting mojo went off on walkabout and has yet to return ☹️ but 'blackthorn' and 'strawberry' are currently in my knitting bag (Katie Green's one for JAT a couple of years ago), along with a most sumptuous green shade in WYS BFL yarn……. ☹️ It'll be moth fodder unless I get a wiggle on - which would be a travesty, as it's such lovely yarn.

Suspect I would have been mildly more useful as a land army lass, doing things with tractors and pitchforks than a knitter of 'comforts for our forces' 🫤 in WWII.

Greying X

PipneyJane

Fingers crossed for you @Laura_Elsewhere.

@Greying_Pilgrim if you love one of the WYS yarns, buy it now, before it’s too late. Don’t beat yourself up over time not spent knitting; just promise yourself that you’ll do one row tonight.

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CapricornLass

www.benridgewoolworks.co.uk

This company popped up in my facebook, they are trying to promote British grown and spun wool. I've not delved into the weeds of it yet, so I hope it's kosher, but some of the more experienced knitters might recognise some in the list of companies and mills?

I recognised Melin Tregwynt as I have some of their throws.

PipneyJane

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82143861#Comment_82143861

Now THAT is quite a rabbit hole to fall down @CapricornLass

I don't know them but, if I was a spinner, I'd want to be on their mailing list.

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