Thread help::Knitters please chime in::

[Pleater]

In the UK sock yarn is, traditionally, a lot thinner than US worsted weight. The heaviest I have ever made were in Double Knitting, for single colour and for coloured hosen, English 4 ply which is half the thickness of worsted weight.

I have not seen a pattern which has the extra st made into new ribs, the ones I am familiar with have wider sets of stitches which are narrowed down the leg, so that you might have columns of three purl stitches at the top of the leg and one at the ankle.

Making them with a seam line like a woman's stocking is decidedly strange to my eyes.

The thicker yarn does make it easier to create a striking pattern on the turn down, but you'd need to wear shoes a size larger than normal, maybe more, in order to get your foot in without cutting off the blood supply to your toes.

I do have a basic pattern of ribbed hose which was intended for men when cycling or horse riding, but it now fits me, it is in double knitting, but it could be increased in size by doing it in worsted weight yarn or adding more stitches.

I could send it in a PM if you'd like to show it to your knitter.

These days I usually use a yarn which is mostly wool but has Nylon incorporated in it. Nylon is very hard wearing - I have a pair of all Nylon knitted hose which is over 40 years old. I made them when I was still living at home, and I left to go to Polytechnic at 18.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[sydnie7]

Just a few comments to add about the Toirneach hose pattern itself. My mother and I have both knitted it with good results. I have made two changes based on posts here from Fluter and on Ravelry from other knitters (I think those are the sources, anyway!). The following may be all Greek to a non-knitter but your friend should understand. If she has any questions, let us know.

1. Instead of a purl stitch centered down the back, I prefer a line of knit stitch. It just looks cleaner to my eye, and reduces the "seam" appearance that Pleater mentioned.

2. I also don't like the finished look of the SSK decrease stitch used in the original pattern. I've used SNP (slip knit pass aka slip one, knit one, pass the slipped stitch over) with better results to my eye.

It does make up into a nice-looking hose. I've also used the pattern of the leg mixed with cuff patterns from the Gainford book but that's a story for another thread!