In search hose tops or cuffs.

[fluter]

Maybe the next thing I need to learn is to really knitt?

You may be on to something, there. The tops are actually the most interesting and fun part of most kilt hose. Why not give it a try? You have done the basics, you could just get someone to remind you how to cast on & give a few tips, get hold of some appropriate needles. Of course, if you reach an understanding with Miss Joannie, go for it.

Here is the top of my first sock (ever). You can see the leg is going to look somewhat errrrr, rustic. However the top looks fairly decent. this is the Toirneach pattern from Knitty.com. You've seen a much better effort by BluesDoxieGa

Here is my practice piece for the cuff: just 2 sets of the pattern. Just work out how many will fit the calf, add on a short section of ribbing, and you're set.


My second pair is in progress. This is Gainsford's "pine cone" top---MacGregors take note! In worsted wool, it's almost too tall for my leg. I believe the pattern is 24 rows. For someone whose calves have a more heroic stature, I think this would be dynamite.

I was thinking of getting a contrasting color..... like red or maybe even a tartan top to match a particular kilt.

Oh, yes! I envision that pine cone top in a green with red underneath it. Or vice versa. Similar things could be done with the Toirneach, and any pattern with holes.

Anyway, hose tops can be fun. The book we've been discussing so avidly, Lady Gainsford's Designs for Knitting Kilt Hose and Knickerbocker Stockings, is full of them.

[James MacMillan]

OK - So are you using circular needles or doing a strip and then sewing them together? And do I understand correctly that you are doing the hose top and bottom seperately?

[ThreadBbdr]

OK - So are you using circular needles or doing a strip and then sewing them together? And do I understand correctly that you are doing the hose top and bottom seperately?

You can do it ether way; it depends on the pattern. If you are doing a cable that runs horizontally around the calf, you'll do a long strip (knitting back and forth until it's long enough to go around your calf then marrying start end to stop end). I like to graft the ends together in pattern, but a seam also works well.

Once you have the top, I like to pick up the stitches around the upper edge of the cuff and then work the sock from the top down. But if you want several tops to go with one pair of hose, that also would work. If you are doing that, I would probably pick up the stitches around the upper edge and knit a few round of K1P1 or K2P2 ribbing - enough to fold under and anchor under your flashes - just so the tops won't slide down your calf when moving.

[fluter]

OK - So are you using circular needles or doing a strip and then sewing them together? And do I understand correctly that you are doing the hose top and bottom seperately?

No, these are one-piece. I'm working top down, no seams or grafts (except at the toe).

I was knitting in the round. The first pair, I used double-points (you can see one or two down by my leg). The second pair is still under construction using circulars---again, you can see them on the bottom of the completed portion in the photo.

But if you want several tops to go with one pair of hose, that also would work. If you are doing that, I would probably pick up the stitches around the upper edge and knit a few round of K1P1 or K2P2 ribbing - enough to fold under and anchor under your flashes - just so the tops won't slide down your calf when moving.

I was thinking of a couple of inches of K1P1 rib, as you can see on the teal-green sock that's unfolded, then bind off. One thing that I forgot to do on that pair was to switch to a smaller needle for the ribbing under the top. I decreased by several stitches, but forgot to change needles. Taken together, that will make the ribbing a bit more snug. The first pair will almost stay up without garters.

[fluter]

I was knitting in the round. The first pair, I used double-points (you can see one or two down by my leg). The second pair is still under construction using circulars---again, you can see them on the bottom of the completed portion in the photo.

Here is a close-up of the "pine cone" top. I started with a Picot hem (at the bottom of the pic), then worked the pine cone pattern, added several rows of purl where it folds over, then went into the ribbing.

The scanner decided this was a grey-scale job, and would not be convinced otherwise but this is the dark teal sock from above.



Then here is another practice piece that could be made into a top. This is the large shepherd's check from Gainsford: