Help me decide (making hose for a groom)

[Mikilt]

I don't think you can go wrong. Blue, black, green, any of these will look great.

What color flashes/garter ties will he wear?

[sydnie7]

I don't think you can go wrong. Blue, black, green, any of these will look great.

What color flashes/garter ties will he wear?

My fear? Tartan to match the kilt. But I could always provide a set of garters (red?) and hope they get the hint LOL

[plaid preacher]

Hi Sydnie,

The Lamont Tartan uses a Blackwatch base, and I have been wearing Navy hose, and I think they look good. I tried ancient/lovat blue hose and my wife hated them. I have also thought about a dark green, and think they would be good option as well. As someone is bound to say, so I'll say it first ... black hose will make him look like a member of some generic pipe band or other.

[Pleater]

It is actually quite easy to do - once you can do the cable technique you just need three lengths of the red yarn and knit the middle stitch. Strand the background colour as one stitch isn't going to be very long.

It helps to make more impact if the single stitch is done in a yarn thicker than the rest of the sock, double knitting if the sock is in 4 ply, so it fills the gap.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[sydnie7]

Thanks Anne, that hint about the thicker yarn is especially helpful. I figured "three bobbins of red" would do the trick. Off to the stash, and then to knit up some samples to check gauge and cable details. Oh, this is going to be fun!

Really should get the two current pairs-in-progress off the needles before I start this set in earnest. . .

[sydnie7]

So. . . with a bit darker blue, and a not-so-neon red, something like this:

James wedding cable.jpg

The free pattern comes from this site, if anybody else needs it!

Thanks to all for helping me think this through and especially to Anne for the final inspiration.

[Spartan Tartan]

Those are going to be fantastic!

[piperdbh]

Are you thinking of using this cable pattern for the leg, for the cuff, or both?

[sydnie7]

Are you thinking of using this cable pattern for the leg, for the cuff, or both?

Just the cuff. Legs will be plain, at least that's the plan. I'm making some now for Bob, in medium blue, that have a minor up-the-side detail but no ribbing. Intend to place sets of kfb increases either side of center back for calf. I'll see how they come out.

Another trial method I'm looking at for the medium blue "guinea pig" pair -- knitting toe up two-at-a-time, the calf section increases to about 2x the width of front section. And my up-the-side detail would be split between the two sections. To avoid this, I'm making the feet with normal top/bottom needle split but after turning heel (just at ankle height), I am going to dismount them onto a total of 8 stitch holders. Then remount with a left/right side split, so that the up-the-side detail is centered on the working field and the calf increases make each side grow equally. I'll take some pix along the way, in case my words don't do the trick!

I haven't seen or read of this method but wouldn't be surprised if someone else has hit on it before.

[kiltedrennie]

Wow! Really like that.

So. . . with a bit darker blue, and a not-so-neon red, something like this:

James wedding cable.jpg

The free pattern comes from this site, if anybody else needs it!

Thanks to all for helping me think this through and especially to Anne for the final inspiration.