Embarking on cable-knit kilt hose

**sydnie7** · 31st August 09, 08:04 AM

Just worked up a test swatch for some cable-knit kilt hose I'm contemplating. Many of the patterns I've seen run the cable down the shin, but I'd rather have it down the outside of the calf. So I purchased a knot pattern here and am figuring out how to incorporate it into cuff and leg.

I intend to put the knot at the "four compass points" of the cuff with plain knitting in between (and a small edging from the cast-on). Shown is the full knot pattern, which is not quite deep enough for cuff, so maybe 1.5 of the pattern to form the cuff depth. BTW I worked the swatch in green left over from my last pair, but the cable pair will be done in red from the same Paton line.

Then k3p3 ribbing for the garter area, decreasing to the stitch count needed for the top of the calf. Cable down the outside (so I have to plan L and R hose) with the rest of the body a simple k12p3 ribbing as shown at top of swatch. Decreases would take place along a 12 stitch block down the back of calf, like the CalanaCraft pattern KAL1.

One area I'm still wrestling with is the garter directly in line with the cuff cable that continues down the outside of hose. Theoretically I should decrease for that area of garter, then increase again before starting calf. But I wonder if the ribbing will accommodate the extra stitches. . . I'm leaning toward no decrease in that area unless strongly advised otherwise.

Second area that I may plan when I get there

is the end of the cable in ankle area. There will be more decreasing at end of cable, which I'd like to hide below the top-of-shoe line, but fear that will create an uncomfortable line of "lumps" inside the shoe. Alternative is to end it above the shoe and have "lumps" showing. I should knit up the cable again on this swatch, work the decreases, and see what they look/feel like.

This will be an adventure (and a slow one) but I'll post my progress.

P.S. There is a minor error in the purchased pattern, should you buy it let me know and I'll pass the info along (chart is accurate, text has one glitch).

**Friday** · 2nd September 09, 05:45 AM

Do you need to decrease in the area of the garter or will the tension of the ribbing pull the garter area in enough? I would think that with the tension of the garter ribbing and flashes decreasing should not be needed.

As for the ankle area, as the last pattern repeat nearest the ankle, do not take the inter cable across the two outer cables and bring the outer cables to a point ending the panel? I'm not sure If I explained that right and do not have access to a graphic program right now to try and draw it out.

Looking forward to seeing the finished hose.

**Heming** · 2nd September 09, 07:18 AM

The cable pattern looks fabulous!

But if I understand you correctly, you want the cables _only_ on the outside of the calf. In that case, you'll have quite a challenge placing it accurately on the side, as the cable pattern will be much narrower than k12p3 ribbing with the same yarn and needles (as your swatch shows). Basically, the centre back and centre front of the sock will warp outwards towards the cable unless there's an equal amount of tension on both sides of the centre. (This is why single cable hose usually have the cable centre front)

I've not done this, so I don't really know how, but it must be possible to figure out how many more stitches you need on the cable side compared to the stockinette side to ensure that the centre back and centre front are straight lines. The easy way out is of course to put a cable on each side ;)

Btw are you doing toe-up or top-down? I prefer toe-up with cable patterns, I feel the cables look upside-down if knitted from the top down. But as I've previously stated, Im anal...

**sydnie7** · 2nd September 09, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Heming

The cable pattern looks fabulous!

But if I understand you correctly, you want the cables _only_ on the outside of the calf. In that case, you'll have quite a challenge placing it accurately on the side, as the cable pattern will be much narrower than k12p3 ribbing with the same yarn and needles (as your swatch shows). Basically, the centre back and centre front of the sock will warp outwards towards the cable unless there's an equal amount of tension on both sides of the centre. (This is why single cable hose usually have the cable centre front)

I've not done this, so I don't really know how, but it must be possible to figure out how many more stitches you need on the cable side compared to the stockinette side to ensure that the centre back and centre front are straight lines. The easy way out is of course to put a cable on each side ;)

Btw are you doing toe-up or top-down? I prefer toe-up with cable patterns, I feel the cables look upside-down if knitted from the top down. But as I've previously stated, Im anal...

Interesting points about tension. I'm going to swatch a bit of the calf for sizing purposes, will do at least one full knot which I hope is enough to show if that tension issue raises its ugly head.

I'm knitting top-down, the only way I know how at this time.

And thanks Friday for the suggestion about ending the cable, that's a good idea to make it look more finished.

I've got one cuff cast on and working. If the size is OK that will be the start of the first hose. Might have some progress to show in a week or so. . . have a few kilts to sew up as well, so this is not going to go quickly! Thanks for the encouragement and info!

**string** · 2nd September 09, 08:15 AM

That is a lovely cable pattern. The trickiest thing about cables is that they have a gauge all their own, but once you get past that they make the knitting quite fun.

**Santa Kona** · 2nd September 09, 08:22 AM

Way over my head and eye sight.

**Friday** · 2nd September 09, 08:30 AM

sydnie7 What is the circumference of the:
center of the calf
ankle
and distance between the top of the calf and ankle?

**sydnie7** · 2nd September 09, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Friday

sydnie7 What is the circumference of the:
center of the calf
ankle
and distance between the top of the calf and ankle?

calf max 15.25
heel to knee 17.5

Those are the only measures I have at hand (plus foot length). I've knitted another pair in this yarn so have some starting points. I've estimated stitch counts based on the swatch already knitted, and as mentioned I'm going to knit up some other areas ahead of time to check my work.

**piperdbh** · 2nd September 09, 09:15 AM

From those measurements it sounds like you're making hose for me!

Don't decrease in the garter; the ribbing will hold the sock up.
I can't see your swatch (firewalled), but make you sure you gauge a completed cable and a 4" sqaure section of the ribbing and stockinette. You'll nedd to do a little algebra to figure out an exact stitch count. Good luck!

**Heming** · 2nd September 09, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

Interesting points about tension. I'm going to swatch a bit of the calf for sizing purposes, will do at least one full knot which I hope is enough to show if that tension issue raises its ugly head.

You won't find out for sure until you start decreasing down the centre back. What you could do is guesstimate a number of stitches you need to move the back decreases off centre (away form the cable) to counter the warping. Try putting the decreases e.g. 6 stitches off centre and see where that takes you. In short you need more stitches on the cable side than on the ribbing side. Good luck! Post progress pictures...

btw, PM me for a universal toe-up pattern! Though unless you plan on wearing the hose at my house, nobody will notice and/or care that the cables run downwards. It's just one of my hang-ups.

Heming