Do you want to knit your own Kilt Hose

[LadyGriffin]

Actually all I have is a BIG box of various knitting needles. Can you recommend somewhere a total newbe should go to get the basics before trying the hose? I think I have at least 30 different pairs of knitting needles. One of them should be the right size, right?

This is something I have wanted to do for years. Maybe this will be the kick in the behind that I need to get something done.

Thanks for posting and I just joined the group!

Julie

[runewolf]

Julie,
The youtube links are pretty good and there is a couple $10 or less books I saw at the craft store from a knitting school that looked good. I've purchased a kit from Walmart that was less than $20 that has a basic class in it, needles and other useful items that I have been using to learn before this class starts.

[fluter]

Julie,

Afterthought: The best thing to do is find a local yarn shop where the people are friendly. They often have groups that meet after hours on a given day, and visit while they knit. That's a great way to learn from the others. Knitters are amazingly helpful to beginners.

Churches often have similar groups---there it is known as the Needlework Guild. At the yarn shop it's usually called a Stitch'n'Bitch.

End of afterthought...

Socks are traditionally knit on a set of double pointed needles (we call them DPN's)--either 4 or 5 to a set. I believe this is what Joan will teach, and she has mentioned including a set of DPNs in the kit if you need them.

If you see any sets of needles that are short (6" or so) and pointed on both ends, they are used for socks (or mittens, anything small that's knitted in the round. There exist longer ones, too.

3 or 4 needles cover the circumference of the sock in a triangle or square, then the extra needle is used to knit with---it goes "into the sock" and the one from which we just knitted the stitches, becomes the one to knit the next part. You may be able to see it as I'm trying on this sock with 4 needles in it. 3 of them are blue, one is red:



Alternatively we could use circular needles. These socks in progress are each being knit on a short circular. The sock just sort of slides around the needle as we knit.



Finally there are methods of knitting 2 socks at once. The one I've tried uses 2 circular needles. Here are 2 socks in the beginning stage, which may give you an idea. It's as though they were strung side by side on two long straight needles, but the flexible cable allows me to pick up the point on the left, and knit across from right to left; then turn over & do the same thing with the back side. The main thing is to remember to let go the working yarn of the right-hand sock when it's time to start the left hand one; it being rather difficult to walk if your socks are knitted together.

[calanacrafts]

Can I still join? (Although, I've gone over to the "dark side" and made my first pair of toasty, yummy, merino wool socks in denim marl this past December. Take a look.)

yes of course, go to my blog and directions are there, look forward to seeing you there.......

[IRISH]

i'm in. need to order pattern. thanks, joan.

[Jake_S]

I gotta pick up a set of needles tonite on the way home. I'm looking fwd to get started.

Jake

[Weasel Mender]

I would love to knit my own hose however my knitting knowlege stops at "you use pointy plastic stick thing and stringlike stuff called yarn to knit" is there any hope for me?

Weasel

[piperdbh]

Yes, Weasle, there's always hope. The group has enough experienced knitters to get you started and keep you going so you'll wind up with something you're proud to wear. Follow Joan's instructions and all will be well.