Extra-long Garter Ties

[James MacMillan]

Hey Matt - Granted I have only been wearing the kilt for about 15 years, but I never learned how to tie the old style.

Where is a good illustration of just how to use them?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Hey Matt - Granted I have only been wearing the kilt for about 15 years, but I never learned how to tie the old style.

Where is a good illustration of just how to use them?

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garter_howto.html

[James MacMillan]

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garter_howto.html

And that really works? Looks, to me, like it would come loose with the least little movement?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

And that really works? Looks, to me, like it would come loose with the least little movement?

I've worn this type of garter more or less exclusively for the past year (and I wear a kilt about 5 days a week), and have never once had a problem. There is enough elasticity there to give you the tension you need to keep everythign in place without being overly tight. Works great!

[mkmound]

And that really works? Looks, to me, like it would come loose with the least little movement?

To second what Matt said, "yep -- it works". I was very surprised also, but there's enough surface friction in the knit, plus a bit of elasticity, that they stay up very nicely.

[James MacMillan]

I've worn this type of garter more or less exclusively for the past year (and I wear a kilt about 5 days a week), and have never once had a problem. There is enough elasticity there to give you the tension you need to keep everythign in place without being overly tight. Works great!

To second what Matt said, "yep -- it works". I was very surprised also, but there's enough surface friction in the knit, plus a bit of elasticity, that they stay up very nicely.

OK - I'll try it..... Now just to figure out how long to make them so they fit my 19" calves.

[Warhoover]

James,

I have 19 inchers as well, and the extra long is just fine. I have two sets of them and will be getting a few more in the future. I love them. They easily have the length to give me a nice looking "tabs" from under the hose turn down, and as Matt said, I have yet had mine come loose.

[cacunn]

OK - I'll try it..... Now just to figure out how long to make them so they fit my 19" calves.

I have made my self a couple of this type of garter. My calculation is for a 19 inch leg is twice around the leg 2 x 19 = 38 plus 1 inch for the wrap = 39 plus 2 to 3 inches on each end to hand below the fold of the hose. This would be 43 to 45 inches.

I do not include the length of the tassels at the ends of the garter in this calculation.

I prefer this type of garter because it dose not cut into my leg like the elastic straps. I haven't gotten the tension on my knitting machine down yet. The garters I have been knitting curl in on them selves and it looks like a rope. They still work fine and are hidden by the top of the hose, so no harm.

[Packhound]

I have made my self a couple of this type of garter. The garters I have been knitting curl in on them selves and it looks like a rope.

KNITTING, did you say knitting. My DIY self says "Self, you have to try that." Do you have a pattern you can share?

[cacunn]

KNITTING, did you say knitting. My DIY self says "Self, you have to try that." Do you have a pattern you can share?

No. Not that I wouldn't share I don't have a pattern. I have a knitting machine and I knit a strap ten needle across and XX inches long. My estimate is twice around the leg, plus, and inch for wrapping one tie around the other and two to three inches on each end to hang down below the fold of the hose. To each end of this I add a tassel. I take a piece of card board the length I want the tassel as a template. I then sew loop of yarn around the template and through the end of the strap. Once I have the tassel as thick/full as I want it I add 8-10 wraps about 2/3s of the way up from the bottom of the tassel. Tie off the wraps and cut the end of the tassel even and you have a garter.

I'll try to take pictures this week end to better explain.