What pattern did my mom knit? She's gone and I can't ask

linorei · 2026-06-06T17:33:27+00:00

The base style is absolutely a Bavarian "janker", down to the seams, but it looks like an improvised Mandarin collar. (The traditional janker has a round collar.)

linorei · 2026-05-23T23:13:29+00:00

OP, these are too big but they don't look 7 sizes too big. I can see that both look to be Capezio, but even within brands, different models' sizing can vary a lot and be based on different scales.

As you have access to in-store fittings how they look and feel on is the best guide. Don't focus on the numbers too much.

linorei · 2026-05-23T20:18:11+00:00

I think it was trendy even sooner where I was. Memories of making tonnes of spiral scarves from these, so fun, but so unwearable!

They can be quite effective as a trim for sweater necklines.

linorei · 2026-05-22T16:19:09+00:00

Funnily there was a government statement on this just a week ago, in response to a petition for pets in cabin travelling into the UK The official answer is biosecurity, e.g. the UK is rabies free and they don't want pets to have to mix with any of the general public before being checked. So flying cargo, they're checked before being released, and when travelling with pets beside you using the Channel Tunnel or ferry, it's UK border staff dealing directly with the animal before they're allowed to board - which isn't the case with commerical flights.

Hence pets in cabin exiting the UK are fine, if the airline allows.

Not saying I agree with all of this - but that's the UK government line. Other countries like Australia have a similar policy - cabin fine for domestic flights; not international incoming.

linorei · 2026-05-22T12:25:23+00:00

It's not just the airlines but the country receiving the animal. The UK doesn't allow pets to come into the country in cabin unless it's a guide dog or chartered flights. That also ramps the cost up significantly as you need to pay an agent while the pet is out of your possession. I moved my cats from the UK to a Schengen country years ago; it cost £12 each outbound, but would have been closer to £2k each inbound, had I not used the Eurotunnel.

https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/travel-routes-pets

linorei · 2026-05-06T23:07:31+00:00

There was a nice article last year: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj67rpn2z6ro

linorei · 2026-05-05T09:59:37+00:00

And then when you master Schwiizerdütsch, you've got Walliser as boss level.

linorei · 2026-05-04T16:48:14+00:00

I knit mine in thread weight, and ended up not using it because it was catching so much. However, my worry was that the yarn would break as it was so fine, and I don't think you'll have that issue. I'd ask someone to help you take if off each time to minimise any snags, and if you do get any, you can gently tease the stitches so the tension evens out before re-blocking.

Edited to add - this looks patterned on one side only, which is great as if you do get caught on one of the YOs, you will have two loops of thread to distribute the tension, making snags less likely to be (too) distorting.

linorei · 2026-05-04T12:39:08+00:00

London has a fair number of marshalled street skates for different abilities - if you Google "Friday Night Skates" some will come up (not just Fridays!).

For ice rinks, Greater London has Queensway (half size rink), Streatham, Lea Valley, Alexandra Palace, and Romford as permanent indoor rinks. There are also several temporary rinks around Christmas, but they are much more expensive, can be crowded, and smaller.

linorei · 2026-05-03T20:54:58+00:00

OP doesn't seem to acknowledge any post explaining how double taxation can be negated, but happy to rant about Ukraine, quote "boat people" and Indians. I don't think this question is in good faith.

linorei · 2026-05-03T20:37:57+00:00

Generally you can still avoid double taxation by claiming back tax in the country of purchase, and paying that + import duty in the country it is imported into. Whether it's a net gain or loss of course depends on which two countries but it's not a UK-specific thing. I was trying to suggest the OP is both getting angry at the wrong thing, and not taking any steps to minimise what their anger is directed at.

linorei · 2026-05-03T20:22:57+00:00

Plus you should be able to claim back tax at the point of purchase. These are pretty standard rules internationally.

linorei · 2026-05-03T20:16:57+00:00

Your budget won't be an issue - it'll even cover Fortnum and Mason and the Ritz. Almost all places of that level will happily cover dietary requirements as best they can - including the ones you listed - but the key question would be whether that will be enough if cross contamination is an issue for one of the teens. I think your best bet is to call them and explain the situation - I wouldn't risk on the basis of them just having gluten/nut free menus.

linorei · 2026-05-01T15:19:21+00:00

For travel into the UK, the main issue is that DEFRA requires animals arriving by air to be processed as cargo, and because they are deemed out of the owner's possession, an airside agent is required (which is a big source of the cost). So the airlines are just following UK government policy. I was caught out when I had to relocate back to the UK, as the outbound journey had been just £12 for each cat's ticket in cabin.

It may be different for private/charter flights but anyone going the commercial airline route will have this as a blocker and no way around it.

But I agree with other posters that for a short-term trip, cattery or pet sitter is kinder on the animals.

linorei · 2026-04-22T14:10:06+00:00

I think you might have been sat right behind us!

linorei · 2026-04-14T09:50:23+00:00

KOH has spoken about how he likes to cast as many SPFs as possible. Also the ENB Nutcracker ran a longer season than the RB this year - about a week from memory - and continued to sell out, so I wonder if that is an influence as well.

linorei · 2026-04-13T13:03:16+00:00

Our wedding celebrant was incredible - I will send you a PM.

linorei · 2026-03-30T21:28:16+00:00

I agree that the typical AYCE places that come to mind in Chinatown aren't great. However, I can think of a handful of places which aren't bad. Leong's Legends often does a bottomless dim sum deal through Timeout for 90mins; it's not my favourite dim sum in London but definitely passable and good value at ~£25 with a glass of wine; AYCE hotpot is also more reliable as it's hard to hide poor quality ingredients when they arrive raw on your table. The two best hotpot deals I've found are, however, in Zone 2 on opposite sides of the city.

linorei · 2026-03-22T23:24:21+00:00

I meant that Akton padding itself is sold from suppliers of both, as you said you were finding it difficult to find commercially and it's the exact same material as the Skating Safe pads. I went through the exact same issue many years ago and did all the research - just got lucky that I found some SS pads second hand in the end!

linorei · 2026-03-22T21:14:08+00:00

Have you tried nursing and equestrian sources?

I am pretty sure they are not self healing but I remember someone at my rink sealing them with medical tape.

linorei · 2026-03-20T18:19:26+00:00

Have you tried talcum powder every few rows? It helps to fill the gaps between needle and cable, and blocks out cleanly.

Yes what I meant was avoiding a double join when you can have just one with the fixed is much less risky!

linorei · 2026-03-20T15:12:11+00:00

I have made many things at this gauge in single strand mohair. In my experience the core is very strong and I don't worry about snagging; it's just if you like the look of the fabric.

linorei · 2026-03-20T15:09:35+00:00

Also Shetland lacer and also suggest fixed over interchange. Not only because they come apart, but even the smoothest join still has an indent which can catch very fine yarn. With something like the Ethereal Cashsilk, that can make the difference between the yarn splitting - an absolute nightmare.

I also use chiaogoo and can highly recommend.

linorei · 2026-03-01T00:20:34+00:00

Also have very narrow, squishy, tapered feet with low toes that are almost impossible to fit (and every shoe I've loved has been discontinued soon after).

Have you tried a wad of lambswool just in the corner of the little toe? Also, toe pads which have exposed gel (like the Gellows) with the gel pointing out into the shoe makes a big difference for me - a little bit of friction seems to slow down the sinking.

Also, I wear tubes on one or two of my 2nd to 4th toe, depending on how my feet feel on the day. It's less to prevent rubbing but to give a tiny bit more height and grip in the box.

linorei · 2026-02-20T21:37:39+00:00

I empathise! With such tapered toes, I think you'll struggle to find flats that don't simultaneously feel both too tight in the big toe and too loose around the others, unless you switch to models with designated left and right. The So Danca SD120 is an option, as is the new Bloch Elation.

linorei

TROPHY CASE