Kilt hose in progress

[Pleater]

You really really do not want to use an acrylic yarn for socks - even with a small percentage of wool they go all nasty and flat afer a few hours wear - they might perk up when washed, but then do exactly the same thing again and again.

I have socks from way back which have Nylon in them, and they are OK - Nylon is used smooth, not crimped like acrylics (you get more thickness for weight of material, but it can sometimes be only too temporary) and it gives resistance to abraision which is good for socks.

The 'traditional' sock yarns which were made here in the UK usually had 10 to 20 percent Nyon in them, the 10 percent ones usually are mixed with a better quality softer wool for 'best' and the 20 percent ones with a tougher wool for everyday wear. I believe there was a 40/60 thick white yarn for making stockings to wear with sea boots or wellingtons. Pure wool was, however the prefered yarn for fishermen and sailors, though it could become so felted that the socks stayed in the boots when removed, 'welded' to the lining.

When hand knitting was a major industry in the North of England in some areas everyone knitted all the time, men, women and children. The knitting was only put down when it was necessary to pick up something else.

Socks are very portable and I often take socks in progress with me so whenever I have a few minutes to spare I can knit a round or two.

So far the temperatures here have not turned my thoughts to knitted hosen, a broad brimmed hat and factor 50 sun protection have been most apt for some time now.

However - to be prepared - perhaps a couple of pairs would be a good idea now that I have made enough kilts to be going on with.

But - decisions decisions - what colour to use, and what pattern. At least I will not need to remake them smaller as I shrink down in size - unlike the kilts, feet do tend to remain about the same size.

I think that the natural white wool would be a good one to start with, as it is neutral and would go with a lot of other clothes I have.

[Red Lioness]

Here they are! With the lovely flashes made for me by O-Neille. I'm trading him a pair of hose that I already like better than my own!

[Robin]

Very nice!

Oh...and...

I have large calves and teeny little ankles

Nothing wrong with your calves

[Rampant Lion]

Those are great! I'd love to have hose like that. Well done!

I just have one suggestion. You seem to be folding the tops of the hose down and then down again. Try folding them all the way so that the first fold is right at the flash and the bring the top of the hose back up. That way you still get to see the nice pattern on the "cuff" you've made.

Did that make any sense.

[mkmound]

Those are really nice!! (And the calves are very shapely, too! )

[Red Lioness]

I just have one suggestion. You seem to be folding the tops of the hose down and then down again. Try folding them all the way so that the first fold is right at the flash and the bring the top of the hose back up. That way you still get to see the nice pattern on the "cuff" you've made.

Um . . . I do fold them once. I pull them straight up, put the flashes on, then fold them down over the flashes.

[Rampant Lion]

Yeah, I guess I didn't explain what I meant well. What I do is:

Put my hose on with them pulled all of the way up.
I put my flashes on where I want the top of the "cuff" to be.
I pull the top of the hose down as far as they'll go.
Then I pull the top of the hose back up to where the initial fold is.

This allows for the pattern/cabling (which is looks so good on yours) on the outside of the hose to stay on the outside for the "cuff."

[timber]

Absolutely fantastic! I would love to have a pair like that. What kind of measurements would you need?