hose for bigger calves

**AtagahiKC** · 2nd August 07, 12:01 PM

I bought three pair of Matt Newsome's larger socks he posted a few weeks ago. They fit everywhere really well except the calf. They are less tight than the main kilt socks, though.

The only part that is too tight is the part just around the top. I wonder if snipping that would totally undo the knitting or if it could be somehow sacrificed to allow the rest of the sock to stretch?

Since I wear the flashes, they would hold up the sock anyway. I'm not willing to experiment until I find out from someone who knits, though.

**fhpdo** · 2nd August 07, 01:44 PM

I was wondering the same thing.

**cavscout** · 2nd August 07, 01:50 PM

I personally would never cut a kilt sock that has such a loose knit to begin with for fear of it unraveling like a loose thread on a sweater. I've not done it so my fears may be unwarranted. But for what you paid for Matt's hose I'd pawn them off to some one with smaller calves and go with the HDG Hose. More times than not, us big guys will fit into them great. I don't even require flashes to keep mine up.

Don't get me wrong, Matt's hose are excellent quality and they look A LOT better than the HDG's but if you just need a pair to wear for casual wear, the HDG's are only $8 and they look pretty darn good and they fit my 19" calves.

**AtagahiKC** · 2nd August 07, 04:08 PM

I know, but I don't like the colors of the HDG hose, at least from what I see on the website.

I'll probably break down and get some custom hose at some point. I have a length problem with hose, too.

My size 14 feet tend to hog the hose and not leave quite enough to fold over comfortably without too much of a gap between the bottom of the kilt and start of the hose.

**cloves** · 2nd August 07, 05:20 PM

Arlen's significant other knits hose. She is currently knitting a pair for me. I'll be sure to review them once they arrive.

**McMurdo** · 2nd August 07, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by cloves

Arlen's significant other knits hose. She is currently knitting a pair for me. I'll be sure to review them once they arrive.

Diane is doing some for me as well I can not wait, I will review mine as well, Diane is great to work with if anyone is interested.

Russet Lodge knitted Kilt Accessories

**Big Paul** · 3rd August 07, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Splash_4

Ditto on the HDG hose. They fit my 20" calves with little trouble.

Well you got me beat! I have 19" calves..

Originally Posted by AtagahiKC

I know, but I don't like the colors of the HDG hose, at least from what I see on the website.

I'll probably break down and get some custom hose at some point. I have a length problem with hose, too.

My size 14 feet tend to hog the hose and not leave quite enough to fold over comfortably without too much of a gap between the bottom of the kilt and start of the hose.

I would suggest Almostunwearoutable.com

**cavscout** · 3rd August 07, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by AtagahiKC

I know, but I don't like the colors of the HDG hose, at least from what I see on the website.

They have more colors than their web site show. You see a wider selection on their ebay list (green, red, blue, black,...) It also helps to give them a call as often they will have some odd lots that they never advertise.

**demobud** · 3rd August 07, 02:33 PM

I got my new hose from Matt Newsome this morning; they fit me really well they are just snug enough without lookin all stretched out. I posted some pics over on the pic forum where you can just barely see them (crappy camera phone).

**RockyR** · 4th August 07, 06:41 AM

I had a customer come into the shop yesterday (drove up from VIRGINIA!) for a fitting for his brother's wedding. The other groomsmen rented their kilts, but the rental place didn't have one in his size, so he had to BUY his (62.5" waist, 68" hips, 22" length).

Let's just say that he had a BIG frame and a BIG set of calves to match... 22" around. The only pair of hose in our shop that fit him were the hand knit hose. They are MUCH more expensive (b/c they're hand knit in Scotland), but they're the only ones I've seen fit 22" calves (the customer mentioned above and a few "XL piper friends" of ours) without completely cutting off circulation.

If you do buy a pair from an online store, ask what size calf they accomidate and what their return policy is on hose (not everyone accepts returns on hose). Good luck with your search! Let us know what you finally DO order and how it works out!