Kilt Hose I've Knit

[Blinki]

Im in awe of your talent one and all. Im thinking I might have to learn to knit now.

[Friday]

I was in Michael's Crafts and found some yarn that glows in the dark. I was thinking that would make some strange kilt hose until I realize that the glow might warn the sheep at night.

I got some and am knitting a watch cap for my 4 year old cousin. It should be interesting seeing him run around with his head glowing green.

[thistlelass]

I'm halfway through the heel on this one, then they might be on hold till I have more measurements to go on. I do a simple short row heel but I'm also considering trying out a reverse flap heel for future pairs.

Explain reverse flap heel please
I was going to take a wee informal poll about what style heel you prefer to knit,also-which kind of heel do you fellows like to have on your kilt hose... so now seems as good a time as any.
Do you like short row or flap heel? I knit Tom's gray hose with a flap type heel and the green ones have a short row heel. I've also cast on another pair for him , Navy blue with a chevron cuff, but haven't posted a pic yet, nor have I gotten to the heel, but I'm thinking of making another flap heel on this pair as I think the extra padding in the heel area might be a bit more comfortable.

[thistlelass]

Im in awe of your talent one and all. Im thinking I might have to learn to knit now.

Thank you!
It is a good skill to learn-you'd be able to make your own matching jumpers- (that would be sweaters, for the folks on this side of the pond. )

[thistlelass]

I was in Michael's Crafts and found some yarn that glows in the dark. I was thinking that would make some strange kilt hose until I realize that the glow might warn the sheep at night.

I got some and am knitting a watch cap for my 4 year old cousin. It should be interesting seeing him run around with his head glowing green.

...you gotta be careful about sneaking up on sheep at night!

I'm sure the 4 y.o. cousin is going to loooooooove the glow in the dark cap! Kids are all into that stuff! I've never seen this yarn, but I have heard about it. Must make a trip to Michaels to check it out-not that I would buy it, just want to see it! It would indeed make some interesting kilt hose though. How about Halloween Kilt Hose?

[DWFII]

So...I'll ask the million dollar question: does anyone have a decent pattern for argyll kilt hose?

I know this has been asked before...and I've followed every lead that I can find posted on the net...but nothing really satisfactory has come out of it. My wife is a good knitter (and spinner)...maybe even expert...and she's willing, but it would make it a lot easier if there was one reliable pattern.

[thistlelass]

So...I'll ask the million dollar question: does anyone have a decent pattern for argyll kilt hose?

I know this has been asked before...and I've followed every lead that I can find posted on the net...but nothing really satisfactory has come out of it. My wife is a good knitter (and spinner)...maybe even expert...and she's willing, but it would make it a lot easier if there was one reliable pattern.

I've just begun knitting Kilt hose, so Argyle is way out of my league at this point...in fact, not sure that I will ever tackle them...however, there is good instruction in Designs for Knitting Kilt Hose & Knickerbocker Stockings
by Veronica Gainford, as well as kits used by dancers which can be found at
http://www.highlandisland.com/patterns.html. Their "kit" includes the pattern as well as enough yarn to make the hose. I've not seen the actual pattern for sale by itself. I believe the yarn the use is Jagerspun, which does have all the nice marled colors that one would need for Argyle hose. I suppose an inquiry to the company might be beneficial to see if they cusomize the kit or if they are the standard dancer's kilt hose in the standard colors.

[Highlander31]

Those are nice looking hose Thistlelass.

[DWFII]

Thistlelass,

Thanks for your response.

It is my understanding (although I have not actually seen it) that Gainsford's book does not include instructions for argyll hose. From what I have learned (I am not a knitter, so this comes from my wife) argyll patterns are especially difficult because if you are to preserve a consistent size for the diamonds and rakers the entire length of the hose, you cannot just add stitches willy-nilly as you increase for calf size or whatever. [I guess that comment makes it doubly clear I'm not a knitter ]

And the kit you mentioned is for childrens sizes only and it is a tube sock (if that makes any difference). At first, I thought the kit was the ticket. The finished sock is as professional looking as it gets. But I talked to the manufacturer of the kit and not only will they not sell just the pattern, or modify it for larger sizes, but they do not have the colour combination I need for my kilt--Scotland's National.

[Friday]

A couple of responses:

1) I prefer a short row heel using K1,S1 to reinforce the heel. See Sherman Heel for more information
2) On the Argyle,

a) Are the diamonds and rakers the same size at the top of the hose as at the ankle? I don't have any official argyle hose to check.

b) I have not tried to knit argyle yet I would wonder about using larger needles as you need to increase the size. I would think that this would work if the increase was not too large. String and the other experienced knitters will have to comment on this.

c) Hand Knit Seamless Argyle Socks with Short Row Heels is a way to knit argyle socks in the round a diamond at a time. If you "charted" the increase needed as you go up the leg (decrease top-down) they could be built into each diamond as you knit.

Vintage Argyle Pattern