Argyle hose pattern again

[fluter]

Over in General Kilt Talk, Dixiecat asks

I've come across numerous patterns for argyle or tartan hose but they invariably have ribbed tops. I'm looking for the exact cuff that you have. Can you help me out?

I think that it's not so much a pattern, as an algorithm.

Finding our gauge, we can calculate how many stitches per diamond to get 2 diamonds around the calf. Basically, one set of diamonds is the cuff. Knit the "garter section" under the cuff, turn and start the next set of diamonds on the leg, working in decreases???

Does that make any sense? I haven't tried it yet, but that's my idea of the process for working top-down. I'm not sure I understand what goes on in the cuff. It may be as Hothir Ethelnor suggests in the original thread

The legs could be in the round, could be flat.

As I mentioned, the moderator of the Ravelry highland dance group makes up kits of yarn with instructions---she calls it a "recipe." She has offered to provide just the instructions. However it may be a deal for the yarn, and she seems to know the color matches for all the dress tartans.

DFWII started a thread some time ago argyll hose pattern. A number of links were posted in that thread, plus discussion of the kits available at Highland Xpress.

My proto-projects in this line are

1. I have yarn to try some diced hose in worsted weight, two shades of blue and a matching marl. Could be tartan, but I think I'll halve the size of the diamonds & try diced.

2. I'm swatching experimentally with 2 strands of fingering weight yarn. The procedure for dance hose seems to involve 2 strands of lace weight, using 2 colors for the marl sections. I'm working up to it --- I'll see how it looks with fingering weight.

[guitarmatt]

I'll keep an eye out for updates. I'm a few pairs away from trying Argyle yet, but looking forward to it.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I made some tartan cuffs with stags heads in them but they didn't have a marled section.

I am really thinking about picking up some fingering weight wool to try argyle with. I'll let you all know when that happens and how it turns out.

[sockknitter]

Just a thing or two to add to Rab's instructions/directions on the argyle.

First, when you have your cuff finished, whether you double the cuff, or not, change your needles to two or three sizes smaller and knit some 2x2 ribbing for 1/2 the length of the cuff. 2x2 is more springy(?), has more elasticity than 1x1 ribbing. Or, you can do 1/2" in a needle two sizes smaller, 1/2" in a needle one size smaller, then 1/2" in the original size needle. This will act as a garter, helping the hose stay in place....I think you will still need the garter/flash, though.


Change back to your original size of needles, and in Stockinette stich continue on w/ the leg of your hose...however your pattern dictates. If you are working an argyle pattern in the leg, start w/ the lower 1/2 of the diamond. At the bottom of this diamond, you should be at the bottom of the cuff, turned down, so from outward appearances, the bottom point on the cuff meets the top point of the next diamond you knit.

You can see the ribbing in the photo, immediately below the cuff at the top? then the 1/2 diamond below the ribbing?

Second - regarding marled yarns
If you are going to knit the marl w/ two yarns held together, consider the wt. of that combined yarn. The combined yarn's wt should be consistent w/ the wt. of the solid yarn. It may be that you need to double the solid, as well as the marl.

clear as mud?

[fluter]

Just a thing or two to add to Rab's instructions/directions on the argyle.

First, when you have your cuff finished, whether you double the cuff, or not, change your needles to two or three sizes smaller and knit some 2x2 ribbing

Yes, thanks for that reminder! Nice looking hose, too.

Second - regarding marled yarns
If you are going to knit the marl w/ two yarns held together, consider the wt. of that combined yarn. The combined yarn's wt should be consistent w/ the wt. of the solid yarn. It may be that you need to double the solid, as well as the marl.

Another good point. That's what my informants seem to be doing.

[sockknitter]

In a perfect world, it would be better to find someone to use their spinning wheel to ply the marled yarn, as opposed to knitting with the two yarns together. The color distribution is just more uniform, more pleasing to the eye. There are spinners here @ XMTS.

If you cannot find a spinner, tho, knitting w/ the two held together should pass the "5-mph test". You know....if someone's walking passed you @ five miles/hr, they won't be able to tell the difference.

There are a lot of spinners on Ravelry. Maybe you can use that to find a spinner in your neck of the woods? or inquire at a boutique yarn shop. They might know of spinners in your area. Plying the two yarns is really the simplest, easiest thing for a spinner to do. Almost a "no-brainer", and great practice if they are new to spinning. It shouldn't take much time for them to do it, assuming they have an empty bobbin available.

[fluter]

In a perfect world, it would be better to find someone to use their spinning wheel to ply the marled yarn, as opposed to knitting with the two yarns together.

Thanks, I had reached the same conclusion, although as you say it would pass well enough as is.

In fact there is a spinner just up the street, and my wife is eager to learn. She has the same problems with time allocation that I do, alas! In my case knitting is fun and addictive, but it severely impacts your sewing time. DW has papers to grade, and young minds to mold.

[piperdbh]

Instead of using marled yarn, or holding two strands together, why not K1 in color 1, then K1 in color 2, then 1, then 2 and so forth, to make the marls really look woven? You might be able to get by with fewer butterflies that way.
I've never liked marled yarn, and the marls I've seen in tartan/Argyle hose don't look very nice, I don't think.

[fluter]

Instead of using marled yarn, or holding two strands together, why not K1 in color 1, then K1 in color 2,

I've done that, and I'll do it again. Meanwhile, I'm still experimenting.