Kilt hose work-in-progress

[sydnie7]

Certain members (*cough*piperdbh*cough*) encouraged me to leave behind the world of worsted-weight-size-5-needle knitting and venture into finer territories. After a few false starts, I have two pair in the works and feel good enough about them to share some WIP shots. Both are on size 2 circulars, toe-up 2x.

These blue hose are in a 75/25 wool/nylon that is somewhere in the fingering-to-sport weight. The label is mostly in German, Fortissima by Schoeller Esslinger (bought for a song from my favorite source, Discontinued Brand Name Yarn).

Just turned the heels. I've stopped mid-way through the last heel to facilitate my next maneuver:



I'm running a detail up the sides of each leg, so I'm trying something new: repositioning the stitches from a top-bottom split to a side-side split. First I dismounted them onto 4 DPNs each:



Then used a combination of remounting and knitting to get them back onto the circular in the new orientation:



I had started the seed stitch side detail on the top needle as I began the foot gusset. Now I've added a second column of seed stitch and am working my way up the leg. It didn't take long to do this and should make the rest of the project much easier:



Between NASCAR and NFL, I'll have these finished in no time! The cuff will be all seed stitch columns/ribbing.

The second pair is 100% wool in dark green. The legs are done but the cuffs are complicated enough that I'm taking my sweet time to get them right. This will be my first connect-the-cuff project. Here's just a tease of the cuff -- yes, it's a hot mess in process but looks grand on the right side!

[Thomas H]

looking great so far - keep it up

[Pleater]

Size two eh - you'll soon be doing some really small needle stuff. (Just teasing)

It is always amazing how the front of something complicated can look just wonderful, all neat and tidy and the back looks - well - like that.

The second pair is 100% wool in dark green. The legs are done but the cuffs are complicated enough that I'm taking my sweet time to get them right. This will be my first connect-the-cuff project. Here's just a tease of the cuff -- yes, it's a hot mess in process but looks grand on the right side!

Last time I was knitting something with so many strands it was Sonic the Hedgehog for the elder grandson. Now he wants Mario, with Luigi for his little brother. Are you going to knit the cuffs on or sew them?

I note that, like me, one project at a time never seems to be an option.

I await further progress reports with interest.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[sydnie7]

[snip] Are you going to knit the cuffs on or sew them?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Good question, I haven't completely researched the answer yet. Burn that bridge when I come to it. . .

I'll end up with live stitches for both the top of leg and top of cuff, and thought that something like a Kitchener seam would create a natural folding line. But the K can also create some bulge/bulk, at least in my hands, so alternative suggestions are welcome!

[kiltedrennie]

Wow! I really like them. I'm pretty sure knitting size 2 would drive me insane.

[Spartan Tartan]

I would loose my mind with size 2 needles!! That is the main reason I have never gotten around to socks/hose. Someday, though, but those tops are a hot mess and I cannot wait to see the finished product.

[Friday]

Great work. Do you need much increase between the ankle and calf? If so how are you going to handle it?

Have you considered leaving the cuff separate?

[sydnie7]

Great work. Do you need much increase between the ankle and calf? If so how are you going to handle it?

No increase from ankle up for another few inches. Then I'm going to work matched sets of kfb a few stitches either side of center back to shape the calf.

[Pleater]

Maybe putting the cuff in place and aligning the live stitches on two circular needles thinner than those used for the knitting, then sew backstitch through the two stitches to be joined - possibly with doubled yarn so as to make a definite fold line which is still fairly stretchy.

I have DPNs and circulars down to British no 18 - I am not sure what that is in metric or US sizes, I know that after knitting double knitting or 4 ply yarns they feel like sewing needles for a while, then when I pick up the size tens or eights they feel huge.

That reminds me, I have to complete a V neck on a jersey for the DH on no 14s, I have several rounds still to do and then the ends need to be finished off to neaten the seams, so I'd better go and do that, as it is almost 10 pm here and I want to be in bed before midnight.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[piperdbh]

I like to attach my cuffs using a 3-needle bind-off. It shows a definite seam, and is a little stretchier than grafting.
UK 18s would be US 0000s. UK 10s are US 3s. Anne, I like the way you work: little yarn, little needles, big projects.