Knitting kilt hose?

[frank_a]

Nothing to show yet, but I just bought this book from Amazon: Designs for Knitting Kilt Hose. I figure I just don't have enough hobbies. I've been watching some videos, but want to wait till I get this book to see what I need to buy in terms of needles and such. It's the kind of hobby I'll need in retirement - inexpensive!

Frank

[Theyoungkiltman]

Glad you are getting into knitting! Good luck!

[frank_a]

I'm gonna need good luck! And knitting needles and yarn and what else?

Thanks!

Frank

[kiltedrennie]

Great! I've recently taken up knitting and find it very liberating and frustrating at the same time. I've wanted to knit hose but haven't tried yet. Most people I've talked to about it suggest finding a toe up pattern rather than start at the top and work down toward the toe.

[sydnie7]

While I have settled on toe-up construction, you may want to start with something smaller than kilt hose just to get the concept straight. There is at least one free tutorial available on Ravelry. Which book did you get from Amazon? The Gainford book is for expert knitters, more a guidebook than actual patterns. There's another book that has rather poor reviews but I personally don't own it so that's just hearsay.

Mostly, have fun and enjoy!

[IsaacW]

Awesome! My wife knits and I keep getting tempted to learn but have too many other irons in the fire! I do love good knit hose and now that she has made me one pair, I want more!

[frank_a]

Yes, it's the Gainford book. I know about crafts that are liberating & frustrating at the same time too. I do leather work in my spare time. We have some deal with Amazon where we can borrow a lot of kindle books for free, & there's a bunch on knitting socks. I've also found a bunch of videos on YouTube. Looks like it's difficult finding good needles?

Thanks all!

Frank

[sydnie7]

Never had any difficulty finding good needles, not sure where that comment would have come from. I'd suggest starting with a size 4 or 5 at first, worsted or DK size wool, then going smaller as you get comfortable/if you want a finer end result. Worsted can result in a rough feel to the sole of the sock, one possible way around that is the "princess sole" in which you purl the sole of the sock so that the purl bumps are on the outside and the smoother knit side is against your skin.

Then there's the choice of heel -- several different schools of thought there. I like the Fleegle heel (find her blog through Google) which is quick and simple. It may not be the most wear-resistant, tho.

Have you checked out Ravelry.com? Lots of free patterns, tutorials, forum boards for advice. The Kilt Hose group there is not too active (as Okiwen has discovered) but lots of regular sock activity and most beginning kilt hose questions are about basic sock construction.

[frank_a]

Never had any difficulty finding good needles, not sure where that comment would have come from. I'd suggest starting with a size 4 or 5 at first, worsted or DK size wool, then going smaller as you get comfortable/if you want a finer end result. Worsted can result in a rough feel to the sole of the sock, one possible way around that is the "princess sole" in which you purl the sole of the sock so that the purl bumps are on the outside and the smoother knit side is against your skin.

Then there's the choice of heel -- several different schools of thought there. I like the Fleegle heel (find her blog through Google) which is quick and simple. It may not be the most wear-resistant, tho.

Have you checked out Ravelry.com? Lots of free patterns, tutorials, forum boards for advice. The Kilt Hose group there is not too active (as Okiwen has discovered) but lots of regular sock activity and most beginning kilt hose questions are about basic sock construction.

Wow! Thanks for all the tips. I have not checked out ravelry.com, but have watched a few YouTube videos on basic knitting. I will check out ravelry.com later today and/or over the weekend. Plus my book should be here today when I get home.

Still a workin stiff, so one thing at a time. Plus been busy with leather belt making this week. Love to make stuff!

Frank

[HarveyH]

Great! I've recently taken up knitting and find it very liberating and frustrating at the same time. I've wanted to knit hose but haven't tried yet. Most people I've talked to about it suggest finding a toe up pattern rather than start at the top and work down toward the toe.

dont quite understand the toe-up route. Cuff down is the only way I have ever knitted any socks. Apart from anything else, if I started to run out of the wool I don't have to match the foot , which is usually hidden in the shoe.