hose resources for "calves of substance"

**Joshua** · 11th December 11, 09:35 PM

In the spirit of Mr. Grizzly's thread a while back on tweed for the gentlemen of substance, I would like to collect some links on off-the-rack hose for the tree trunkers like myself. Feel free to contibute low, high, medium cost hose and how they fit for you

Low-price casual hose/socks:
Sorry to steal Nighthawk,s thunder, he introduced this company to me and I've made at leasr 3 purchases from them...
The O'Marled and Diamond Ribbed from sockdreams.com
The O'Marled probably get more wear than any other hose I own, they are really thigh-high socks with a earthy, marled knit. At 12 bucks a pop, I can manage having to double fold the cuff so the inside pattern matches the outside. They easily fit my 20" calves. The downside is the lack of colors, and the inside knit not matching (as I said before).
O'Marled in Olive Green (I also have "Natural" which is a mix between American Khaki and British OG:

The Diamond Ribbed are a fantastic warm weather hose, but the lack of a cuff relegates these to "scrunched hose" duty when I am going full casual with a boot. Colors are awesome, hose is a bit short and a little tight on my legs. 8 bucks a pair for these.
Diamond Ribbed in Burnt Orange:

Hand-knit Aran hose from USAKilts.com
Probably some of the most handsome and warmest hose I own, these are very, very thick and they fit great on me. The being said, I live in a subtropic climate so they don't get worn often until this time of the year. They are pure wool so mine get washed in the sink and hung to dry after extended wearings. The cable-knit extends down the whole foot, so for a day spent on your feet, they may not be the best choice...these hose are 70 bucks a pop, so take good care of them and dont throw them in the washer.

USAK Hand-Knit in Sage Green (Sorry for the crappy pic here):

**Nighthawk** · 11th December 11, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Joshua

Low-price casual hose/socks:
Sorry to steal Nighthawk,s thunder, he introduced this company to me and I've made at leasr 3 purchases from them...

You're welcome, sir. Here's another good one:

http://stores.ebay.com/WB-SOCKS_KILT...34Q2ec0Q2em322

They're not the highest quality, but they look good and they're nice and stretchy. Just to clarify, my calves are 21 inches... until they flex. And then they grow a good half inch. And then there is this:

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

The largest sizes are perfect for me! They fit well, and don't pinch when I walk, which is nice.

**Joshua** · 12th December 11, 06:13 AM

Added some pixs. Thanks for the links Nighthawk...

Thundercalves... HO!

**artificer** · 12th December 11, 06:51 AM

Has anyone with BIG calves but small ankles tried any of these these? My calves are around 18", but my ankles are only 10".

Sometimes the "Larger Crafted" socks add too much material elsewhere and end up baggy in the ankle.

**Nighthawk** · 12th December 11, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

Has anyone with BIG calves but small ankles tried any of these these? My calves are around 18", but my ankles are only 10".

Sometimes the "Larger Crafted" socks add too much material elsewhere and end up baggy in the ankle.

I hadn't thought about that, Scot! I just measured my ankles. They're 11 inches, and while my Lewis hose do have a little extra material around my ankle, it's not enough to bother me. I just pull them up tight, tie on a pair of Big Mikey's garters, and the extra disappears!

And by the way, with my calves, I avoid Gealic Themes and most piper's hose. They don't have nearly enough stretch. My wife loves Gaelic Themes... but she doesn't have monster calves either!

**artificer** · 12th December 11, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

I hadn't thought about that, Scot! I just measured my ankles. They're 11 inches, and while my Lewis hose do have a little extra material around my ankle, it's not enough to bother me. I just pull them up tight, tie on a pair of Big Mikey's garters, and the extra disappears!

And by the way, with my calves, I avoid Gealic Themes and most piper's hose. They don't have nearly enough stretch. My wife loves Gaelic Themes... but she doesn't have monster calves either!

Hmm, that's what I was afraid of. I'm tempted to try selective shrinking with warm water, but wouldn't want to do it on the Lewis hose.

Being off that extra 1" of diameter makes a big difference in fit. I think someone needs to come out with "Athletic Fit" kilt hose. Wide calves but narrow ankles.

Get On It, Knitters!

ith:

**Joshua** · 12th December 11, 07:57 AM

I've never measured my ankles, but you can see from the pics there is quite a discrepency beetwen my ankle and calf size. The USAKilt aran hose is a tad loose around the ankles.. all the others I mentioned don't seem to have that problem.

**Nighthawk** · 12th December 11, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by Joshua

I've never measured my ankles, but you can see from the pics there is quite a discrepency beetwen my ankle and calf size. The USAKilt aran hose is a tad loose around the ankles.. all the others I mentioned don't seem to have that problem.

My hose from WB Socks don't have that problem, either. They're narrow, but stretch to fit. The WB's fit perfectly in the ankle and stretch to fit my calves.

**Cowher** · 12th December 11, 08:16 PM

Here are some custom knit hose. The price is right and she is top notch.

http://www.cafeciza.com/Accents_FallWinter.html

**Alan H** · 12th December 11, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Joshua

Low-price casual hose/socks:
Sorry to steal Nighthawk,s thunder, he introduced this company to me and I've made at leasr 3 purchases from them...
The O'Marled and Diamond Ribbed from sockdreams.com
The O'Marled probably get more wear than any other hose I own, they are really thigh-high socks with a earthy, marled knit. At 12 bucks a pop, I can manage having to double fold the cuff so the inside pattern matches the outside. They easily fit my 20" calves. The downside is the lack of colors, and the inside knit not matching (as I said before).
O'Marled in Olive Green (I also have "Natural" which is a mix between American Khaki and British OG:

I just searched the sockdreams site for the O'Marled sox, and no results! DANG. They look good, I'd buy a pair or two.

UPDATE: you gotta search for "O Marled".... leave out the apostrophe and they show up. NICE...Thanks!
they don't seem to have the green any more, but they do have several shades of gray. I picked up a pair of "charcoal"...twelve bucks. I'll let you know how they work out.