Argylle Hose advise needed

**Deirachel** · 25th March 12, 01:22 PM

My wonderful mother is going to custom hand-knit me a pair of Argyle kilt hose for my formal wear kit, but specifically for my daughter's wedding. (She's also going to practice the pattern first on less expensive yarns, so I will get another pair out of this.) Now, I already know who I'm going to be commissioning the kilt from, as it will be (most likely) a Cumming Hunting (ITI Number: 4636) with a custom finish (darker green, more vibrant red), so I will be color matching the yarns in the fancy pair (we are thinking alpaca/wool blend...unless I can convince the wife to spin me a chiengora/wool blend from my other "daughter".)

I'm not a huge fan of the Argyle pattern going into the cuff (as it's hard to make sure the diamonds line up).

Now to the question:

What does the Rabble think of doing a solid color, patterned cuff in one of the colors of the Cummings Argyle (red, green, black, ITI Number: 7644) instead?

Keep in mind, for this instance, the advice against "matchy-matchy" is being tossed out the window entirely (the bride's request). Of course, once I have the kilt and hose, there will be pictures, but that's likely a year away.

I'm thinking this pattern's cuff would look dashing in the red or green with the opposite color of garters ties.

So, what do y'all think?

**JSFMACLJR** · 25th March 12, 01:40 PM

If you are going with argyll hose, I would keep the cuffs the same as the leg. I think the look of a solid cuff with a dicey leg would look like the knitter ran out of steam. It really isn't so difficult to line up the diamonds. It might take all of ten seconds!

Have you considered diced hose instead of argyll? Red and green perhaps. And regardless of what your daughter says, you are her father, you are a grown man, and why let somebody tell you how to dress? I'm serious. The "matchy-matchy" advice is sound. I can't imagine why your daughter would have a problem.

**Pleater** · 25th March 12, 01:45 PM

From what I have seen, it would not be usual to have a solid colour top - how about having one repeat of the pattern in the centre of the cuff with strips of solid colour top and bottom so as to separate the pattern on the leg from that on the cuff, so no need for matching.

It is more common to see an argyle cuff on a plain leg.

Whatever type of yarn used for the leg it would be wise to use sock yarn - that is 80 or 90 percent wool with 20 or 10 percent Nylon for the foot - and possibly a method of knitting which is easily refootable.

Alpaca fibre has no 'memory' and is inclined to stretch - I have knitted only one garment in a yarn containing alpaca fibre, and it expanded enormously. It feels lovely, it is just misshapen and despite having a lot more if the yarn I suspect it is a bit of a waste of time to work with it.

It would be a bit of a disaster if that happened to your hose.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Pleater** · 25th March 12, 01:54 PM

Having checked the pattern the link leads to - those are some mighty thick hose.

The gauge given is 6 st to the inch - and as hose are knitted tighter than the same thickness of yarn for a jersey it is probably what we call Aran weight in the UK - bainin is another term for it.

In the UK sock yarn is 4 ply or finer - Aran weight is twice 4ply.

Argyle hose are a lot of work - and they are usually done in fine yarns.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Deirachel** · 25th March 12, 04:17 PM

Anne, this will be in a sock weight, most likely fingering/sock, possibly a light worsted, aran for the absolute bulkiest weight, for the body of the sock. Mom has assured me that she can make a bulkier look out of finer weight yarn, she can also switch weights for the cuff. I'm wondering if you have any idea where I could find an image of the single repeat of the Argyle in the cuff, I'd like to see it in action so to speak. I know Mom would be able to figure that out pretty easy and I can get a good image pretty easily. The reason for the alpaca is Mom is allergic to wool (not the sizing or the lanolin, but the fibre itself, unfortunately). Luckily, both Mom and the Wife are both spinners and knitters, so we have some ideas on blends that have a good memory. I do have to say this is going to be a weird trade for me as her labor is being paid back by my re-working a tattoo design for her. (A yarn-ball skull and knitting needle/crochet hook "crossbones".)

**creagdhubh** · 25th March 12, 04:27 PM

I agree with Sandy's comments.

**ForresterModern** · 25th March 12, 05:41 PM

If you want to mix solid and argyle I would suggest argyle tops on solid body color hose. The pattern you linked looks great as a base, and your mother could have a smaller challenge sewing just a custom color tartan top/turnover to match your kilt. I agree with Pleater on this one.

Or simply solid hose with another type of fancy top hose (lots of styles from House of Cheviot---check on availables with Chris at Dunadd or Matt or Ronan or Ryan at STM).

Sandy's suggestion of simple diced hose in custom color-paired to match your kilt also would look great. Or just a rich color solid custom knit hose----really lots of options out there that would look great and still fall under your daughter's desired color scheme.

**MT4Runner** · 25th March 12, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Deirachel

Luckily, both Mom and the Wife are both spinners and knitters, so we have some ideas on blends that have a good memory. I do have to say this is going to be a weird trade for me as her labor is being paid back by my re-working a tattoo design for her. (A yarn-ball skull and knitting needle/crochet hook "crossbones".)

You sound like a very interesting family!

I'd also vote for solid-body leg with argyll cuff as opposed to argyll leg with a solid cuff.

**Pleater** · 25th March 12, 06:22 PM

But argyle hose are not bulky. They are usually finely knitted, at about 10 st or more to the inch in 4ply or finer, in stockinet.

I'm not understanding the mixing of yarn thicknesses - you can make the lines of single stitch criss crossing stand out by using a thicker yarn than the rest of the knitting, and by twisting the stitch, but even without that you seem to be describing shooting stockings or walking/cycling hose, which have bulky cables and chunky ribbing.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: