I have knit a few pairs of kilt hose, so I suppose I will put my 2 cents in.

Kilt hose are not particularly difficult if you know how to do all your increases and decreases, including a short row heel. Also if you haven't cabled much you might one to try out one of the 5 bazillion cabled hat patterns out there to practice.

I knit kilt hose as follows.

Magic Cast on from knitty.com 16 stitches. This begins the toe and looks lovely.

k1, inc, knit 14, inc, k1, repeat. Continue to increase at the sides of the toe like this (the number in the center will get bigger of course) until you have enough stitches for the foot. I keep the toe and bottom of the sock in stockinette stitch as its more comfortable. Ribbing on the top of the sock is a nice option, but its personal preference. Knit to about 2"-1.5" from the end of the foot and do a short row heel. Lots of instructions out there on that heel so I won't even try here.

once the heel is complete I typically do ribbing all around with a narrow cable on the outside of the leg. I increase and decrease for the leg shaping at the back, where a old fashioned stocking would have a seam. Expect to count and measure constantly. once you get up to the turn over cuff knit about 2"=1.5" of 1x1 ribbing. That will help it stay up a bit. I then knit the cuff while attaching it to top of the stocking like a edging on a lace shawl is knit. This is heavily cabled and good luck with the gauge.


There is my 2 cents