Show off those Tartan Hose!

[Phil]

Thanks. I made her a distaff for her spinning wheel so that she could spin flax into linen and straw into gold.

So your real name is RUMPELSTILTSKIN then!

I looked really hard at tartan hose in the lead up to asking her to make these. All I have are this pair, so this is partly speculation, but from what I've been able to determine...from photos, inquiries and talking to several experienced knitters...if they are done correctly the increase in size from the ankle to the calf is done by switching to a larger needle.

From what I have read about machine knitting hose, the tension is relaxed to shape them on a machine so it will have the same effect as bigger needles - bigger stitches.

[DWFII]

PS...done right the back of the hose won't look any different than the front. But the seam is in the back on mine whereas the seam is on the side on some commercially manufactured tartan hose. Like I said though, if the hose is knit right and the person making them handles it correctly you won't know the seam is there unless you know the seam is there.

[svc40bt]

Here are my Hunting MacLeod (aka MacLeod of Harris) tartan hose. You can just see the seam in the back.

[Kilted Craanen]

Thank you all for the help!

I know there's a nearly impossible seam with tartan hose which have 2 diamonds in one circumfrence, but apparently the Gordon tartan hose have four and thus you'll get the diamonds a bit malformed at the back according to my knitter, as she's got to change the pattern once my calf gets thinner near my ankles

Any experience with this?

Daniel

[beloitpiper]

Sorry, they don't show up too well


Here's my second pair that I wear with my Hunting Stewart

[McMurdo]

Here are some close ups of the backs of the tartan hose I have along with the backs of my diced hose

[Kilted Craanen]

Thanks! the last pictures are awesome

daniel

[Hendry]

A little late but mine do not have the seam in the back

[fluter]

A little late but mine do not have the seam in the back

And split diamonds, no less! Those are rockin' hose (nice looking kilt, too).

Usually an argyle or tartan pattern is knitted flat and seamed up the back. Sometimes the leg is done flat, and then the foot in the round, to avoid having a seam in the sole of the stocking. However, it can be done in the round.

I aspire to learn this, but have only reached the 2 color simulation of dicing (using two strands of yarn).

[1MUNK3]

All these hose are awesome. The skill at knitting you folks have is truly incredible. I wish I could do that. I'll really have to give it a try sometime. When I do I hope it comes out half has good has what you folks have done. Amazing!