Cadadh (sewn up kilt hose)

[Rick]

I am interested in making some sewn up kilt hose or Cadadh. Bob Martin in his book "All About Your Kilt" discusses this to some extent. So, has anyone out there made any? If so, do you have any hints to share? I plan to measure my legs with string, however, I am uncertain about how to deal with the foot part. Thanks.

Rick

[Big Dave]

I found this site that might help.

http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting...n-anderson.htm

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Dave,

Cadadh are not knit hose, but are cut and sewn from tartan cloth.

I've made a few pair for myself. I've never taken an actual measurement from my foot or leg. Here's how I have done it.

Begin with some junk cloth that you will use to make a pattern from. Sit down, extend your leg out, and drape the fabric over your lower leg and foot (making sure that it is running along the bias). Now, pin the fabric together down the back of your calf, over your heel, and down the bottom of your foot. Take care to make it snug around your calf, but looser at the ankle.

Once you have it pinned up, trr sliding your foot in and out to make sure you have a good fit that you will actually be able to take on and off. Once you are satisfied with the fit, cut out the cadadh (cutting outside the pins).

Then unpin the cloth, and you have your pattern (it should look kind of like a weird mushroom when opened flat). Place your pattern on the actual tartan you plan on using (again, making sure you are making it on the bias, so that the tartan runs diagonal). Trace around it with tailor's chalk, or just pin the pattern in place. Give yourself an extra half inch at the top for a hem.

Hem the top, then sew up the single seam in the hose. Turn it inside out. There you have it! Now make another for your other foot.
M

[sirdaniel1975]

I made mine in a similar fashion as Matt did. I think I learned from him in the first place. I have a cardboard cut-out to make it easier (made after acquiring the correct size of the halves of material.. I have wide calves and wide feet. My cadadh came out like Christmas stockings, and once on they looked good.





11oz cotton, Wallace Hunting tartan, from of all places... Walmart.

[MacWage]

(BUMP)

I am thinking of making some myself. I had to remember the correct spelling for a search.

So, WHO has made some?
More Picts?
Tips (besides the above-> Matt, as usual, is VERY good and through in his posts).

[PiobBear]

Is that the same as bag hose?

[Black Skot]

So who can tell me if would it be correct to match the Cadadh fabric to the kilt being worn or would it matter?

[MacWage]

I'll answer in 2 part:

Jacobite Period:
-they would match the "tone" of the tartan, but not necessarily the tartan. Remember, the tartans did not attain their present clan associations until around 1800 and later. If you look at contemporary portraits, they usually DO NOT match. Some seem WAY off to me.
A popular type was a simple 2 color criss-cross/check pattern. They would roughly coordinate 2 of the main kilt colors (or complementary colors) and waer them. Most modern "tartan hose" are variations on this, usually red/white, red/black, green/black, or the like.

Modern tastes:
Most prefer to match or "near match" the hose to the tartan. It just "looks better" to a lot of people. Americans tend to push more for match, while Scots seem to still tone coordinate A LOT.

Does that help or confuse matters?

Most would say, if forced, that it doesn't matter. BUT, it should look "good" together. Mixing weathered, ancient, and/or modern colors just looks weird to most.

[Warlock]

Thanks for posting this. I've been interested in making some.

[Warhoover]

I have had in period wear as well and I am glad you dusted it off McWage! Thanks! Now to search for ancient red and green check!
On another note, Sirdaniel, where did you find your buckle brogues?