[Drac]

My wonderful mother-in-law (yes I even will say it to her face) is making me a set of hose using this pattern you guys directed me to -

http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting...n-anderson.htm

It recommends "generic worsted weight wool" and the other pattern for this site -

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTtoirneach.html

Also recommends worsted Merino wool.

I had some questions on materials. My mother-in-law is worried that the wool maybe to warm, especially for Texas. I'm worried that if it was a synthetic that my feet won't breath well.

Does anyone have any recommendations/experience on this matter?

I also found some worsted new wool at JoAnns. If I go with wool would this work?

Last question (for now) is what color would you guys think would be ok with a couple different tartans? I was thinking gray or an dusty green. The two tartans right now are Lamont and Navy with a Gordon dress in the future.

Thanks,
Jim

[thescot]

I have wool hose that I wear pretty much year round. I also have a very light pair of wool in a khaki color that were origially uniform knee socks in some more temperoate clime than here in Atlanta. I can wear them all.

But then, acryllic is very good for wicking moinsture from the feet. I have a handknit pair that are great for wearing. (Unfortunately, they are white, so I almost never wear them anymore. )

I tend to recommend lovat green as a good all round color for hose. With red flashes, they really good good with almost anything--blue, green, brownish, etc. check out the Gordons.

[piperdbh]

The wool will be fine, and your feet can breathe just fine in it.
I'll recommend getting the best quality yarn you/she can find. Paton's, which can be found at lots of crafts stores, is a good brand.
The "John Anderson" pattern is a classic cable-and-ribs pattern, and I believe you'll be very pleased with them.

[Pleater]

Sock yarn usually has a small amount of Nylon in it for greater resistance to wear - usually 10 or 20 percent.

You should get far more use from hose knitted with a yarn intended for socks - though if you did use an all wool yarn but wear well fitting light shoes then they should last some time.

Worsted is rather a heavy yarn for socks - to my way of thinking - I usually make hose from yarn half that thickness or less, English 4 ply or finer. None of my shoes would fit otherwise.

I do have some thicker hose, to wear with boots, but even then I think they are not as thick as worsted weight. I wear thin cotton socks under the wool ones when hiking.

Finer yarn would also be cooler.

Anne the Pleater

[Farlander]

Sock yarn with nylon is a really good idea. Another thing to consider is 'superwash wool' or 'washable wool' (which is available in sock yarn as well). Then you will have some nice wool hose that does not require hand washing, and will not felt or shrink like standard wool.

[Drac]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I just ordered a set of lovat green with some red garters to get me by and out of the white hose (so people will stop throwing the tomatoes) until my mother-in-law gets mine done. Since the is a sweater in line before my hose it maybe a while.

Hopefully it should give me an idea of what type of wool works for me.

Jim

[piperdbh]

If she uses smaller yarn, she'll also have to modify the pattern. That involves a bit of algebra, but an experienced knitter can work it out easily enough.

[guitarmatt]

I've been working on my first pair of hose, working off of the second pattern you linked to. I'm using Jamieson's of Shetland Double Knitting weight yarn. It looks great and is a joy to work with. There's a pic of the first sock up on this thread. It's really textured and scratchy, but I've always had a thing for scratchy wool.

[guitarmatt]

Something else I've read about but haven't tried yet is using a strand of nylon thread along with your yarn in the toe and heel to provide reinforcement there. That way you can use a 100% wool yarn and still have the durability of nylon where you need it.

[Fit2BKilted]

My wife is planning a pair of summer-hose for me using soy-bamboo yarn... I can't wait!