Another Pair of Handknit Hose/Can I Be Forgiven...

**guitarmatt** · 18th March 10, 09:32 AM

...for my cream hose? To be fair, this project started as a way to evaluate this wool, and maybe to try dying the finished product. As it stands now, I haven't made up my mind regarding the wool and I may just leave these natural, since they look pretty darn good that colour. Ok, enough with that, on with the pics.

I have mixed feelings about this pair of hose. On one hand, without close scrutiny they look pretty good. On the other hand, there are a bunch of little things bugging me about them. First and foremost, they're too small. Those 2 big braids where a lot tighter than I thought they would be, and to look their best I think the ribs should do all the stretching, allowing the braids to retain their unstretched shape. Well, live and learn. I'll know next time that each of these braids needs another column of ribbing to be added to make up for their tension.

Another thing I tried that I didn't like was that I started my ribs as 2x1 in the back and 3x1 up front, and then increased them all to 4x1 up top. I did this to help keep the braids running straight up the sides of the legs. I achieved that goal, but at the expense of some messy looking ribs. Next time I'll just gradually add another rib where I need the increase. I also learned to end with a purl on the first needle and start with a knit on the next when deciding how to divvy up my stitches between needles. These pics are after blocking, which covered a multitude of sins...it was pretty grim for a while there.

Enough negativity. I'm really happy with the calf increases. I was undecided on the small braids running up the back of the leg and then off to either side of the increase, but they've become my favourite part of this design. This was also my first time doing travelling stitches (which I just worked out for myself when I made the tension swatch for this project) and the first time I've really planned a pattern in advance. I used a spreadsheet to plan out the travelling stitch pattern to make sure it fit well with the increases and it worked out really well. In fact, keep an eye out for variations on this calf increase in future projects, as I really like it.

I also like the all around basket-weave cuff. I'm using a variation of this for my next pair of knee-highs for my wife's best friend.

Thanks for reading!

**fluter** · 18th March 10, 10:26 AM

Well done, sir!

First of all: hand-knit hose in ANY color are correct for any occasion. Full stop.

Having hose that almost fit is how we learn to make hose that fit. Perhaps down the line you'll find a worthy recipient whose legs are a touch smaller, and you can make them a really nice gift.

I hear you on the ribbing. That's actually a nice-looking solution!

**wildrover** · 18th March 10, 12:26 PM

Awesome!

I do think a wider cuff looks better...but it's not to say those look bad at all. Great work!

**guitarmatt** · 18th March 10, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by wildrover

Awesome!

I do think a wider cuff looks better...but it's not to say those look bad at all. Great work!

I agree about the wider cuff. This was my prototype for this pattern, next time I'll give myself a bit more room so I can make a wider cuff without covering the design on the calf increase.

**McMurdo** · 18th March 10, 02:52 PM

Those are great, well done wear them proudly. This coming from someone who normally does not like cream hose, hand knit hose are a different category as far as I can see.

**piperdbh** · 18th March 10, 03:19 PM

I really like the calves of these hose. It looks like you increased at the edges of the garter-stitch sections. I first thought the pattern was cables, but then I read that it's done with travelling stitches.

Did you work the cuffs separately and then sew them on, or are they worked attached to the hose? I like to make them separately, then attach them using a 3-needle bind-off. I generally make my cuffs about 3 inches wide, for what it's worth.

What color will the next pair be?

**guitarmatt** · 18th March 10, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

I really like the calves of these hose. It looks like you increased at the edges of the garter-stitch sections. I first thought the pattern was cables, but then I read that it's done with travelling stitches.

Did you work the cuffs separately and then sew them on, or are they worked attached to the hose? I like to make them separately, then attach them using a 3-needle bind-off. I generally make my cuffs about 3 inches wide, for what it's worth.

What color will the next pair be?

That's the yarn for the next pair I'm doing, which is for my wife's best friend, although I think this'd be a killer colour for kilt hose. I dyed the yarn myself with coffee.

I work the cuffs attached. I do my socks of all sorts from the toe up, so when I'm done with the leg I do a bit of 1x1 ribbing for a garter, then a few rounds of knit to become reverse stockinette when turn the work inside out and change directions to work the cuff. When the cuff's done I turn the work inside out again and change direction again then do a few more rounds of knit to curl the bottom edge of the cuff in underneath. Does that make sense? In the future I may try doing my cuffs separately to have the option of doing my leg toe up but the cuff top down and vice versa, which would give me the option to work lace patterns either side up on each. Does that make sense? It's getting late over here and I'm about to head to bed.

**idyllicchick** · 19th March 10, 04:27 AM

I do hope you consider publishing your patterns!

**guitarmatt** · 19th March 10, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by idyllicchick

I do hope you consider publishing your patterns!

I think I might, if I ever bother to stop knitting and write them out. I've kept good notes and charts, but I doubt they'd mean anything to someone else without a bit of editing. The owner of my LYS has offered to sell my patterns as people come in occasionally looking to knit kilt hose.