Kilt Hose I've Knit

[thistlelass]

You did a lovely job -- great color, too!! Well done! They look so comfy... heck, maybe I should make myself a pair first... y'know, to make sure I do it right (heehee)!

Thank you! You should give it a go-even if only a pair for yourself-however, I don't think you should be intimidated by it at all-It's really very straightforward knitting with a wee bit of fun patterning around the tops. I'm sure once you've tried it out for yourself, you'll be ready to knit a pair for your DH.

[Cynthia]

Thank you! You should give it a go-even if only a pair for yourself-however, I don't think you should be intimidated by it at all-It's really very straightforward knitting with a wee bit of fun patterning around the tops. I'm sure once you've tried it out for yourself, you'll be ready to knit a pair for your DH.

I've been feeling the pull more and more lately -- especially after chatting with my hubby today. He's been wanting to do Highland Games but has been putting training off for a while because of various different things (job, health, other things he's behind on). He admitted to me that he does read the forum here and other places for training and equipment tips and would like to start a good workout plan next month to see if he can balance everything and continue moving forward with his plans. It made me happy to hear that, and it made me want to do something nice for him, you know? We'll see.

I do feel a bit intimidated because I've really never followed a pattern -- the most I've done are scarves (I was making Gryffindor/Harry Potter scarves for myself and a few friends and got burned out) or the blanket I started a while back and haven't bothered to finish. Oh, I did do a little practice piece with a cable pattern, but not in an actual piece. I need to get used to holding the needles again, much less making sure I understand some of the different stitches and techniques, and following patterns. The thing about pushing myself too much with learning knitting is that aside from a few kilt-related things like kilt hose, comfy sweaters to go with kilts or a pair of jeans for my sweetie, or even a bonnet... I really don't have as much interest in knitting (I enjoy sewing more). That's fine of course, because I could probably spend forever making as many pairs of kilt hose for him as possible (I just love those things -- just as much as kilts for some reason). I don't really want to spend tons of time making a lot of different things, and every time I consider the kilt hose I just get intimidated and remember all the other things I should be doing instead.

I really should change that though. Maybe I will consider pulling out my knitting supplies soon and figuring out enough to get me through. I sure miss my old knitting buddy though (she helped teach me how to do basic knitting and helped me figure out how to do the HP scarves). We used to watch movies, drink Guinness, snack, talk and knit. Lots of fun compared to sitting by myself and getting bored quickly with too much repetition and how long it can sometimes take.

Again, lovely job!

[thistlelass]

I really should change that though. Maybe I will consider pulling out my knitting supplies soon and figuring out enough to get me through. Again, lovely job!

You've got a positive thought forming and that's half the battle! I sometimes have a hard time choosing what sort of project to work on,I get torn between the knitting and the spinning, but when I saw the kilt hose and knew Tommy would be getting his kilt soon, I knew I had to make them. Then I began looking around for patterns because making that first pair was so much fun! The housework and the other chores will always be there, but that special person you want to do something nice for may not always be. Don't mean to sound grim or morbid, but that's how I try to balance what is and isn't all that important in my life. Although, I probably should put the needles down a bit more often and do some scrubbing and polishing in the house! It only took me a few weeks to make these hose and in the whole scheme of life, that's not much time to spend on doing something for him. If you ever do want to give it a try and need help, you can ask me. I'd be happy to talk you through it!

[Cynthia]

You've got a positive thought forming and that's half the battle! I sometimes have a hard time choosing what sort of project to work on,I get torn between the knitting and the spinning, but when I saw the kilt hose and knew Tommy would be getting his kilt soon, I knew I had to make them. Then I began looking around for patterns because making that first pair was so much fun! The housework and the other chores will always be there, but that special person you want to do something nice for may not always be. Don't mean to sound grim or morbid, but that's how I try to balance what is and isn't all that important in my life. Although, I probably should put the needles down a bit more often and do some scrubbing and polishing in the house! It only took me a few weeks to make these hose and in the whole scheme of life, that's not much time to spend on doing something for him. If you ever do want to give it a try and need help, you can ask me. I'd be happy to talk you through it!

You know, you're right. Since he seems to be really making more of an effort to prepare for training and getting into fitness more in general again (don't you just hate when things throw you off your schedules and goals?), it would be nice for me to at least attempt it. Even if I can't seem to get it at all, I'm sure he would appreciate the effort and it might help keep him inspired.

We'll have to see what I can do. I haven't had a chance to look over some of the patterns I've found online or which way I want to attempt it. I definitely love the look of the design you used (I believe I have seen that pattern), but I don't have any double-pointed needles (I used some to make hair forks for myself heheheheh), so I'll have to buy some as well as some yarn. I'd rather use the cable needles, but I'm unsure of how to use those instead. I have used cable needles for scarf projects or really wide, simple pieces, but since this is an entirely new thing for me I wonder if I should just stick to DPNs (even though the thought of all those ends makes me nervous heheheh!). I definitely need to keep the bulk of the pattern simple (but oh, do I love lovely designs on the cuffs) since I'd have to resize it for his feet and calves, but it would be nice to have some lovely decoration knitted throughout it a bit, too.

Thanks for offering to chat with me if I need help!

[thistlelass]

Cynthia, the really good thing about the Toirneach Kilt Hose (you can see the pattern in the 2007 Winter Issue of Knitty-www.knitty.com.) is that they are made to measure. You adjust the size to the measurement of the wearer and the only complicated (but it isn't) part is the cuff. A few minutes of careful measuring will give you some very nice kilt hose that don't bag or sag! Another plus is that they are knit on size 7 needles with a fairly substantial yarn that isn't tiny like most sock yarn...and you won't lose your stitches on DPN's that large. Of course, if you're able to master it, they can be knit on circular needles. Sadly, I have yet to learn this technique, but it's on my list of "must learn" before the end of 2009!! Another thing you could do is knit a fancy cuff on a pair of store boughts, but to me that just takes away from the fun of knitting the whole project.
You could also check out your LYS or Knitting Guild for help if you do get stuck.

[Friday]

I'd rather use the cable needles, but I'm unsure of how to use those instead. I have used cable needles for scarf projects or really wide, simple pieces, but since this is an entirely new thing for me I wonder if I should just stick to DPNs (even though the thought of all those ends makes me nervous heheheh!). I definitely need to keep the bulk of the pattern simple (but oh, do I love lovely designs on the cuffs) since I'd have to resize it for his feet and calves, but it would be nice to have some lovely decoration knitted throughout it a bit, too.

Thanks for offering to chat with me if I need help!

Check out the Silver Sock Class on the use of knitting socks on circular needles. I have a foot that is 10.5 inches around. After doing the toes on two circular needles I move to a 9 inch circular needle. At the heel I go back to two circulars - One for the heel stitches the other for the instep stitches. Once out of the heel I move to one 12 inch circular needle until the sock get large enough for a single 16 inch circular needle.

As long as I am using a single circular needle there are not ladders, no switching needles I just go round and round.

I never mastered DPs and put them down as soon as I found circular needles. But with two circular needles or even Magic loop I seem to spend a lot of time moving needles in to position. Once I started using single smaller circular needles thing seem to go faster.

As a disclaimer I have to admit that I have frogged more socks then I have completed.

[thistlelass]

Hi Friday...glad to have you join us on the Rav group! I really appreciate your advice about flashes-that was great!

Ok,I'm convinced! I've got to find time to learn that circular needle technique!!! I do love my dpn's so much and I guess I mastered not getting ladders when, some years ago, I read in an issue of Mon Tricot how to avoid getting them, but now that I'm knitting so many stockings, it really would be beneficial to learn the other technique just for expediency! I might be able to even take on some commissions. Thanks so much for the link to the tutorial! I'm going to give that a try and see if I have the patience for it! Surely this old girl can learn one more knitting techinque!!!

Could we see the kilt hose you haven't frogged?