The 'entrelac' pattern is very elastic, when I tried the technique as a jersey I found that my estimation of the number of squares required was rather too many and resulted in a garment which looked far too much like a tea cosy.

Although it is considered rather classy now, the method of knitting was originally devised as a way to use any small scraps of yarn to make something useful and warm, and taught to children in the 'poor schools' so they could make simple garments and blankets - a bit like the way that patchwork quilts are now upmarket 'craftwork' when originally they were a way to use every scrap of cloth plus an old blanket to make something to keep the cold at bay.

I find that there is absolutely nothing more comfortable that you can put on your feet than well fitting hand knitted hose. With shop bought there is almost always that joining line across the top of the toes, in most cases hardly noticeable unless you have been wearing ones without it.

I knit hose with a right and left foot for total perfection of fit.

Somewhere I have a pair of hose I knitted before I left home when I was 18. Me being 62 now does illustrate just how long well made hose can last - they are no longer pristine and do show signs of wear, but they have gone many a long Pennine mile and along the South Downs, which can be hard going on the bare chalk, but they are still wearable - I suspect that they will see me out.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: