Callling all knitters

**thistlelass** · 22nd November 08, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by unaspenser

I might do the same thing. To be honest, I almost always leave picot edging out when I encounter it in patterns.

I've used the picot edge on kid's socks and ladies jackets and sweaters but for kilt hose I personally think the one yo picot will make them formal enough. Also, since I will be knitting in off white, Tom will probably only wear them for dress occasions. My decision to keep the picot in is just to try to be somewhat true to the pattern as it is written....taking very few liberties with someone else's pattern until I've knit it once!

Still, whether the double row is left in or not, they look like really nice kilt hose!

**calanacrafts** · 23rd November 08, 06:22 AM

I have decided they are too lacy so am going to do some alterations, I will frog this piece and re-do, it just does not look right, I am just not sure about the picots. In the meantime I have picked up my dancers sock on the needles, this pair will take a long time to knit, all done by hand.
Joan
Photos on the blog..

**thistlelass** · 23rd November 08, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by calanacrafts

I have decided they are too lacy so am going to do some alterations, I will frog this piece and re-do, it just does not look right, I am just not sure about the picots. In the meantime I have picked up my dancers sock on the needles, this pair will take a long time to knit, all done by hand.
Joan
Photos on the blog..

Do you knit your dancers socks from your own pattern or do you purchase the kit? I've read talk of and saw pics of the hose knit from kits (on another forum), but I've never seen pics of anyone's own pattern. Just wondering.

Just went back to your Blog and read a few entries and was stopped short by the pic of your yarn stash...yummmmy! Very gorgeous colors and so many knitting possibilities! My stash is mostly fiber to be spun and I've had little time to spin lately. Also, the Harris Tweed...oh! for about 8 meters of that!! The blue is just exquisite!

**calanacrafts** · 23rd November 08, 08:38 AM

It is a bought pattern, a friend asked me ages (years) ago to knit a couple of pairs for her daughters who were doing highland dancing so I got the pattern, never actually finished them as the girls stopped dancing, but every now and again I lift the sock piece up again and do another couple of rows, the yarn is very difficult to buy in Scotland, I need to send samples of the kilt fabric to the mill in the borders so they can match it for me. Again photos on the blog..........
Joan

**thistlelass** · 23rd November 08, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by calanacrafts

It is a bought pattern, a friend asked me ages (years) ago to knit a couple of pairs for her daughters who were doing highland dancing so I got the pattern, never actually finished them as the girls stopped dancing, but every now and again I lift the sock piece up again and do another couple of rows, the yarn is very difficult to buy in Scotland, I need to send samples of the kilt fabric to the mill in the borders so they can match it for me. Again photos on the blog..........
Joan

It's difficult to buy the yarn here too I think-especially getting the tweed. Jamison's wool is what I understand most use and there are a few distributors here in the US, but not many. We don't have one here in Atlanta, that I know of. I think some buy the kits from
http://www.highlandxpress.com/footwear.html.
Yours are very pretty and I like that you're knitting in the crossing lines instead of doing them in duplicate stitch later. I like the ear-flap hat too! Cute!

**calanacrafts** · 23rd November 08, 11:09 AM

thank you, I have gone on the website and notice they have a distributor in the UK, which is great.......

**Pleater** · 23rd November 08, 05:11 PM

I would knit the argyle socks on a machine, using the intarsia carriage.

It is still quite labour intensive, you place the yarn into the needle hooks by hand, then move the carriage across to knit the row, then place the yarns again - but it is faster than knitting on two needles.

You can even knit two socks at the same time - which helps to ensure that you get a pair.

I have calculated the sleeves for my cardigan with more increases so it will be wider at the cast off.

The fronts are correct, I think, but I might undo the last few rows of the back where the decreasing is done on every row, and remake it with decreasing every other row, so there is another inch or so added to the length, and the decreases are the same throughout. Luckily it is in Aran weight on 4.5mm needles so will not take long to redo.

Anne the Pleater

**calanacrafts** · 24th November 08, 01:27 PM

I have been in touch with the UK supplier and have ordered more yarn, one of the Macleod Green kit for tartan socks, perhaps they will be diced instead of the full tartan, as we have the Homecoming 2009 coming up, and my brothers will be out in their kilts.......I don't know if there is a Ness tartan, I would like to knit a pair for my cousin so if anyone knows of a Ness tartan/colours please do let me know......Now back off to the needles.

**calanacrafts** · 27th November 08, 02:49 AM

I can't use a machine, prefer hand knitting, and now I've only 1/2 diamond to do before the midfoot, I have added an update for you to see on my blog..

**thistlelass** · 27th November 08, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by calanacrafts

I can't use a machine, prefer hand knitting, and now I've only 1/2 diamond to do before the midfoot, I have added an update for you to see on my blog..

They're looking good!