New hand-knit hose!

**Tobus** · 19th May 10, 06:17 PM

After seeing Mac Ghille Sheathanaich's thread about the pair of hand-knit hose that a local woman made for him, I just had to have a pair. He was kind enough to put me in contact with her, and I commissioned a pair of hose. I considered many different colors of yarn for the project, but ended up going with the same color he did... it's a good color.

Anyway, I am very impressed with her work. These are fantastic. They're THICK hose, with a double turn-down at the top. I'm thrilled, although I might not really want to wear them until winter. Temperatures are already in the 90s here in Texas, so they may be a little warm.

Here are the pics. Forgive me... I just got home from a 14-hour workday so my wits are not completely intact. I noticed after I took the pictures that I didn't fold down the tops far enough. And my garter ties were put on a bit sloppy. But you get the idea.

**Bugbear** · 20th May 10, 09:25 AM

Those sound very nice, Tobus. I know what you mean about the hot humid summers and hose.

**Brian K** · 20th May 10, 09:40 AM

Wow, those look great, Tobus!

**Tobus** · 20th May 10, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Those sound very nice, Tobus. I know what you mean about the hot humid summers and hose.

Well, and on top of that, the chiggers have been pretty bad this year because of all the rain we've been getting. Between tending my vegetable garden and walking the horses from barn to pasture, I have managed to pick up quite a few nasty chigger bites from my ankles all the way up to my nether region.

So putting on 100% wool knitted hose, coupled with chigger bites, coupled with a little sweating... well, let's say that the itching was getting pretty fierce in the few minutes I was wearing these hose last night.

**Bugbear** · 20th May 10, 11:11 AM

Yep, chiggers and fire ants. I have relatives that raise cattle over in Texas and it was always fun to go visit them in the summer.

I can see how that would be very uncomfortable with wool.

**string** · 20th May 10, 12:40 PM

Those are lovely, so much texture. Now I'm itching to start a cabled project *must knit grandma's sweater first*

**fluter** · 20th May 10, 02:36 PM

Those are gorgeous! Often they will soften up after being washed a few times.

CAREFULLY follow the washing instructions you were (hopefully) given, or check with the knitter. And give her our congratulations.

**piperdbh** · 20th May 10, 06:10 PM

I'll echo what fluter said, and add that you should ONLY hand wash these hose in cold water. All the intricacy of the cables will soften and fuzz and be ruined if you machine wash them. I learned that the hard way once.

Beautiful hose. And enjoy the clear nail polish on those chigger bites!

**bchunter** · 20th May 10, 08:25 PM

those are killer, and I like the combination with your kilt, too.

**thescot** · 20th May 10, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by string

Those are lovely, so much texture. Now I'm itching to start a cabled project *must knit grandma's sweater first*

tobus, those are great looking hose, and the entire outfit looks pretty well turned out.

String, only because we like you so much and want you to be happy, I will volunteer to allow you to knit a pair of cabled hose for me.

I'm a reall magnanimous fellow.