The Colbert NCIS vignette was a hoot! Thank you for sharing. I grew up in the 60's in Norfolk, Virginia. My mom wore what I call stockings in the 60's. She wore a girdle and a garter belt with 2 pairs of stockings attached to the belt hooks. Also, my mom told me she wore a girdle from college on, even though she had a petite figure. The purpose of girdle was to have a smooth appearance under her garments more so than to reduce the appearance of her waistline. I remember when pantyhose entered the market. My mom and grandmother both started wearing them immediately. I wore them throughout high school and most of my working career until the casual dress code arrived on the work scene. In the later years of my career, I did not wear pantyhose with dresses, except in winter. I was shocked when I attended a funeral a few years ago at a "fancy" church (i.e. it was in an exclusive neighborhood and the congregants were wealthy), and all the women were bared legged. Granted it was summer in Virginia, but I had never seen women go to church without hosiery. I call socks just that: socks you were on your feet. They may be anklets, stop mid calf or go to the knee. Stockings for me were either Christmas stockings to hang on the mantel or the stockings my mother wore prior to pantyhose. And, don't get me started on the casual dress code for work places! If I was stunned to see women not wearing hosiery to a funeral at a church, you can imagine my shock at what has become routine work garments in the workplace!
Newfound land became a province of Canada in 1949 until that time it was known as a dominion as an independent country. In 1934 British appointed commission started to rule
OMG__Fine Points on Late Night was hysterical! Thanks! The stockings/sock dilemma is quite broad in definitions. For me it's: sport/shorty socks__(above)ankle and men's dress socks__knee high, over the knee, or thigh high socks__women's nylon knee hi's__period dress knee high or over the knee stockings__women's silk or nylon stockings (thigh high, with or without girdle or garter belt)__fishnet stockings or panty hose__(nylon) panty hose__opaque or knitted/crocheted tights. Yep, I think that covers just about everything. 😱😛😹 Looking forward to your sock "project". 💖🙌😺
In the Northwest US, the term boot socks is used to refer to very thick socks (worsted weight thickness) that are used instead of the wool or felt liners in winter boots. You buy them a size or do bigger than summer or normal boot sizes to accommodate thick socks to keep warm and/or you remove the liner to your boots and wear the socks instrad. I have a pair of these type of boot socks from a German great-great aunt. They're wool, probably a sport weight yarn originally but knit at a very tight gauge (I suspect meant to felt over time) and reach up to just below the knee on a man (taller than the boots would be).
When I was growing up in the U.S., "socks" were either calf-high or knee-high but the latter were called "knee-high socks." Later, during my professional working years,, "knee-highs" referred to nylon calf-high and were worn with slacks/trousers or long skirts. "Stockings" were "nylons" until "pantyhose" came along. Exception: "Christmas stocking." Oh, and "anklets" were for little girls, and were socks that had a turn-down cuff, often edged with lace or ruffles.
I had never considered why I call something a sock or a stocking, but there definitely is a difference in my mind. I was a teenager in the 60's and stockings were definitely mid-thigh and held up with some kind of garter device. When I thought about it, I would consider anything held up with a garter device a stocking and they would probably be at least knee length. I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you.
In the southeast, US, stockings are snug fitting and a tight gauge, whether it's knee-high, thigh-high, or to the waist. Socks have a slightly more relaxed fit and can be knee-high or shorter
My mother is about your age, and I have the same perception of stockings: below the knee = socks, above the knee = stockings. I need to knit new slippers for my husband, so I think I'll give this pattern a try when you release it! I agree, the fabric is too bunchy for most boot applications.
In Den ark sock translates in to sok and stockings in to strømpe. In general stockings are knitted with a tighter gauge. They can be short, knee high or above the knee. Stockings are often made of cotten or nylon.
Up to knee I call them socks, up to the thigh stockings,up to the waist tights. The word hosiery covers them all if searching for them in a store. Stockings are held up with suspenders, braces hold up trousers, pants are underwear here. I’m from England.
Wow, what a surprise from coming in really hot from the garden and you were there waiting for me. My neighbour's are away at the moment and because they have 3 young boys, the grass on their used to be lawn has got away from them and because I was going to be doing mine, I shot over and did theirs. Looks lovely but it took some doing and then the grass had to go to the green waste depot. I wondered half way through if I had bitten off more than I could chew but its nearly Christmas and such an nice way to help someone. Your podcasts are always so informative and I too look at and read your book titles while I listen. Your sock looked fantastic and I was really impressed by the way you had you foot up high and were able to hold it. I think I may have done that but it was absolute years ago and if I did it now, someone would have to come and unwind me. I won't hold you up anymore but thank you for your visit and will catch you up again on the next one. Take it easy and take care.
For me, in the modern day, stockings are sheer items made from silk or nylon usually but not always worn by women and socks were everything else EXCEPT stockings were also tightly knitted hose worn with knee breeches usually in very old fashion extreme formal dress. As always, a stimulating casual Friday, as you can tell I’m working through your back catalog
I always thought of stockings as those that were made with very fine thread/nylon rather than with yarn. My mother was fluent in French, Spanish, Arabic and English was a second language for her. I feel that this is why I sometimes use a word for it's second or third definition as that is what I was raised with.
Stockings - need to hit above the knee, can be used with garter belt that ranges from sheer material to a knit Pantyhose- look of stockings but a complete undergarment great for children and dancers Knee socks - hit at the knee, above or just below the kneecap. great for transition to stockings or winter. Boot/ Men's Professional socks - hit around mid calf. most knit socks are boot socks in my personal opinion. Shorty socks - hit slightly above or at the ankle. can sometimes see over sneakers. this is what I consider a regular sock no see socks - for flats or loafers or closed tow heels. basically covers the bottom of your foot heel and toes.
32:00 in recent years I’ve made a switch to minimalistic footwear. Meaning shoes with no toespring, zero drop (meaning no heal), soft shoe and flexible soles, wide toebox etc. This have given me the realization of how the shoe fit really matters for how the sock have to fit. Before I switched I just bought the matching size of socks as my shoes the label said. But in the recent years I seeked out socks with an other fit, that rather sits loose then have a snug fit. As with shoes that is soft and not restricting a loose sock that bundle up doesn’t case the comfort and fit issue that a rigid shoe do. This make me think about how the idea of how a shoe should sit might have impacted sock fitting and design historical. I guess people might have had a shoe made with a heel from a cobbler, or had clog’s or sewn their own from leather, and they all might have very different fit on the wearer. I guess that cobbler’s have used last to build shoes on for a long time, but looking back in history shoe fashion have varied some as well as what people here able to afford. In socks I wonder how people then thought of fit. As for example contemporary handknit socks are most often designed with such a tapered toe, but has the idea of what is a good fit changed through history? Where they knitting sock differently for working boots, military boots or riding boots? As an example, I learned that here in Sweden, the state (like in the fifties or something?) started to research and set standards for all sorts of things. For example in cooking they set a standard for exactly how much a tablespoon where, while before it have just been any tablespoon a person would own. It’s in this I wonder about sock fittings, how it was approached and what people regarded as good fit before the international standards that we take for granted now?
Socks - to me - are ankle, knee high, or footies. Stockings are thigh high nylon held up by a garter belt or girdle. Hose (panty hose) are from waist to toe nylon (also called tights). My Grandmother wore a girdle and stockings all my life. My mother and I wore panty hose. I think in the use of the word stockings is also the word sock and the terms can be used interchangeablely. Also it can depend on geographical location and vocabulary as to how the words are used. (Just for reference I'm 61 and was born in 1961.)
One difference I think of is women wear stockings, men wear socks. Men don't need them to be higher than boot cuff height. Women wore them under shirts and held up by gathers.
Socks, stockings, hose, etc. seem to have varied a lot in meaning in the U.S. and UK over the years/decades. I remember a Trollope novel in which a somewhat spoiled girl (now reformed) is asked whether she'll mend her future husband's stockings. "Yes if he wears stockings. I know he doesn't. He always wears socks. He told me so. Whatever he has, I'll mend -- or make if he wants me to." "He" is an army officer, so socks might have been part of his uniform in 1880.
Love the colour you used for the replica! For me, so used to the original ones, it’s funny to see. Traditionally they were and still are only knitted in that specific grey melange. I guess that because they were originally knitted with mixed colours of undyed wool. They are ment to have a looser fit and have that thicker layer of fabric. As I share in comment on previous video, we used to wear them in our wellies/rubber rain boots. And also in our skates. Both were bought in one size larger to make sure you have enough room for the thicker sock. That extra room filled with the thickness of the socks is part of why they are so warm and comfortable to wear. It works even better if you wear a pair of thin regular thight fitting socks in them. That way the rubbing that tend to occur in rubber rain boots happens between the two sock layers and not the boot and the skin. My modern hiking boots are my regular size and I wear them with modern hiking socks. Those shoes/boots have so much more padding and layers build in the shoes themselves that I like you prefer a tighter fitting thinner sock.
P.s. Just hopping back in; got sucked into the geitenwollen-sock rabbit hole a bit. Haha 😊. Wanted to add that the looseness shouldn’t be too much of course; you want thickness not plaids or folds in the shoe/boot. That would increase the risk of blisters instead of reducing that.
Ah yes, the Dutch geitenwollen sokken! ("goat's wool socks") They are also meant for the wooden clogs (klompen). I remember them as being of quite sturdy wool, with less elasticity in the fiber than Roxanne's purple pair. Hence the ribbing. They are still sold, but seem to be disappearing.
When my family was referring to pantyhose or nylons we called them stockings. Especially if they were thicker and more like tights. If they were sheer we called them pantyhose (East coast USA, age 40s)
Hi there - In Australia stockings are also referred to as Tights in the UK so they come right up around the waist and cover the whole lower body. Socks are just what we wear on our feet and are short or knee lenght.
Hilarious tidbits, txs. Your approach to knitting i like a lot. Specially now with the socks. I hope you will do a technical tutorial on calf shaping with toe-up kneesocks.
Thank you! To me (67 yo, USA) stockings are long(er) than socks. Knee-hi is a stocking. Christmas stockings are stockings. A sock length fits from below the ankle up to the calf area, and occasionally one finds a 'toe sock.'
Great episode!!! I’m so excited for the sock pattern and definitely looking forward to knitting it. Thank you so very much for the slow pan over your book shelves!! I’ve spent more than my fair share of time perusing your titles. As to stockings vs socks? Socks are thicker, and shorter, going to just over the knees at most. Stockings are finer, thinner gauge fabric, in lengths from the knee up to the thigh…at least that’s how I was taught.😂 Honestly, I think the definition is regional more than anything. Thank you for this wonderful podcast and for sharing all of your Tidbits! I really look forward to my weekly rabbit hole adventures. 😂😂 Love, light, and blessings to you and yours.
In Scotland we refer to knee socks as top hose or knee highs. Above knee is just stockings. Nylon stocking are just nylons and held up with a panty girdle with holders or suspender belt, nowadays they are tights! Very interesting and enjoyable post, tassie🏴
Fascinating episode! I’m very excited for the pattern release of this sock as I’ve been wanting to knit socks for my mum. This could be the perfect solution!
Thanks for a great video (as always)! I am swedish and I followed your sock knit-along instructions when making a pair of socks for my husband last year. I had to start over a number of times and they kept ending up being too tight (I didn't mind, I enjoyed following the instructions and trying to figure out what went wrong). It was only after finally finishing them that I realized that what I had in mind was what I would call "sockor" (plural) in swedish which are something very similar to the norweigan sock you are studying. A sock knitted in thicker yarn and with a loose fit that you could e g wear on top of a pair of thinner "strumpor" (that would be a regular sock I guess) both around the house and in a pair of winter boots. Aside from that I don't think we have a particular word for stockings other than "nylonstrumpor" if they are made of nylon, "strumbyxor" (sock-pants) if they are in one piece and go up to the waist and, yeah, just knästrumpor (knee-socks) for any kind of sock that goes up to the knee. I would say that the most important distiction in swedish is between sockor and strumpor based on thickness and how tight they are. /Marika
What a fantastic library! I really wish there was a physical library somewhere dedicated to knitting. I would love to see a list of your library contents!! Online bibliography tools exist. And that is hours and hours of typing so I have no real expectations of every seeing such a list. I have gotten so much out of all your book reviews over the years. Thank you so much for the drive by!
We have a Textile Center here in Minneapolis, where the various guilds house their libraries. As long as you're a member of either the Textile Center or one of the guilds, you can check out any book. It's a good way for me to access out-of-print books published some time after the mid 1980s, or for me to look at new books to decide if it's something I would like to have for my own library. I use the Ravelry's Library feature to log my books. Anything I manually enter into my library can be seen by others. (Digital purchases can't be seen by other people.) I don't have 100% of my books in there, but I do have a good portion of them.
@@RoxanneRichardson Oh wow! Thank you for letting me know. I am definitely going to be snooping your book list on Ravelry! I am in Ohio.. so that is a long distance library usage for me to access the Textile center. But boy that does sound like a worthy trip!! Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for the interesting video, Roxanne, I think like you about, Socks being shorter, knee highs to under the knee, and stockings to mid thigh. However, I always thought men in many countries, a couple centuries ago, wore stockings that came to their knees and their pants just under the knee.
I am totally fascinated with this sock series. I have only hand knit 3 pair of socks, however have made nearly a hundred pair of socks in the last 4 years. I am using a one hundred year old circular sock machine (csm). All of the information from the antique hand knitting books is intriguing to see which, if any, of these techniques can be converted to use on the sock machine. Conversely, I am wondering if the old sock machine manuals instructions could be used to hand knit, I am pretty sure it would be easy to do. There are many, many, ways to customize a sock or stocking, on the csm. I too need more length in the height of the heel, because of it being so pronounced, similar to yours. This is easily accomplished on the sock machine. There are several patterns for stockings as well. This is most likely an avenue you didn't want to go down but here is is a link to the csm manuals with wonderful sock patterns. mkmanuals.com/csm.html each manual has a varity of patterns. On a side note, GIRL, you are very flexible. Being able to pull you foot up over your head to show us your socks! Wow! Impressive! Thank you again for your interesting topics and for sharing your knowledge! SO GREATLY APPRECIATED
Most 19th century socks would be knit with a heel flap and gusset. CSMs can knit a short row heel. Weldon's PRactical Stocking Knitter includes a "Niantic" heel (named for a company that produced machine knit socks). They explain how to make one, and then state that there is a stocking pattern later in the publication that includes this heel, but that the pattern calls for a short heel flap prior to working the heel, in order to provide more room. Other short row sock heels from that era and later will call for picking up quite a few sts at the corners of the heel prior to working the foot, and then knitting a short gusset. They understood from the start that a short row heel was too shallow for most people.
Loving your episodes and all the fascinating info. The boots I wear a thicker sock with are my Uggs! These boots have a loose fit so a thicker sock is most desirable! 🎉
Also here in the Netherlands leg-wear just under the knee is considered stockings. In Dutch we call those 'kniekousen'. A 'kous' can be from knee-high to thigh-high. From ankle to calf it is called 'sok'. Very low ankle socks can even be called 'voetjes'.
And then the next thing is: what is considered a 'boot' and what a 'shoe'. That entered my mind when you said you would only wear those socks in 'rain boots'. I thought of rubber boots being called 'wellies' (Wellington boots) in UK English. In Dutch those are 'regenlaarzen' or 'rubber laarzen'. Leather /fashion boots can be 'laarzen' (pl. or 'laars') too in Dutch. If I understand well in the USA boots can be ankle high too. I don't know about this in the UK. But in Dutch that's different. If they are of the sturdy type meant for work or hiking, they are 'hoge schoenen' (high shoes) and if they are the fashionable type they are now called 'booties' ...
In some cases I consider socks and stockings as interchangeable terms (e.g., "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care" puts in my mind the image of what I would usually call a sock). But usually, I consider a sock to be a thicker fabric and stockings are at a much finer gauge. Nylon "stockings" can be knee high, thigh high, or to the waist. I consider what men wore in the 1700s to be stockings (thin and shapely). What I wear in my running shoes or winter books are socks (thicker and springy).
Growing up (1990s, western US) I only heard the word "stockings" used by my grandparents' generation. It seemed to refer to what my mom called "nylons" - very thin or sheer foot/leg coverings of any length, but usually knee high and typically worn for more dressy occasions. As opposed to socks which were thicker and more athletic or casual in nature, but still of any length. Knee high socks and knee high stockings were two different things - it was about the material not the length.
Hello , you are so kind we all like to spy on other crafter's and knittier's studio it 's for comforting and i'm not alone in all of my STUFF. I love it grateful:)
Thanks for another awesome video including the tidbits. Colbert and Paisley were both a treat! The grafted heel sock exploration is really intriguing. I love the finished appearance of the first sock and I wonder how that heel-type would work with all stockinette instead of the rib? I seem to always get lost in wrap and turn heels. When it works please also mention more specific info about your yarn choice for the socks. Thanks for all you share!
The Fine Points footage was hilarious, Roxanne 😂 great that everyone went to so much trouble to make the film and boost her small business 👍 Stockings...well I always think of stockings as nylons that come up to the thigh and are kept up with a suspender belt. Silk stockings would be the luxury version of course. I always presumed that what were called stockings hundreds of years ago came up to the thigh also but now I'm wondering if they only came up to the knee. More research needed. Amber Butchart would know😉
In Germany knee high socks are called "Kniestrümpfe" which translates into knee stockings, no matter if made from wool, cotton or nylon.. Only socks below that point are called "Socken". I'm really looing forward to your sock journey :)
In Dutch (which is in the same language - how to you call that - family?) it’s the same: socks (sokken) end below the bulge of the calf at thier highest. As soon as it starts covering the bulge of the calf it a “kous” which translates to stocking. So what you call knee socks we call knee stockings if we want to be precise, but often we call them just stockings. And if they go above the knee and higher they are called simply stockings.
In Swedish it's more about the fineness of the material. Sheer to thin fabric is considered "strumpor" (stockings,) regardless of length. "Sockor" (socks) are more like the burgundy ones you show, and meant so keep your feet warm in winter. They are rarely longer than the ones you show.
I Denmark its allmost the same as in Sweden (our countries are neighbors) knaestroemper, meaning knie-highs. Socks (sokker) is a thicker versions, to keep your feet warm in the winter. Stockings (stroemper) is shorter an made in a thinner material. Nylons is also stockings - Long stockings. About knitted socks nowadays; they were called socks in my youth in the 70ties - but nowadays in 2023 we lean more towards calling them stockings (stroemper). I think its a sort of acceptance of knitted socks - in the 70ties it was not really appropiate except for young people, hippies and creative people or for men with hard work.
In Turkish, we don't have separate words for socks and stockings, we use "çorap" for both. But we have a different name for house socks "patik". Actually I'm not sure if long, thin stockings were used before the modernization of the country so we can assume that there's no lingual description for something didn't exist a hundred years ago for the people who lived in that area. But because of the lack of academic studies on historical textiles of Turkey, it's hard to tell if there really was a piece of clothing looked like and used like a pair of stockings in that culture and disappeared or just simply didn't exist.
I’m really looking forward to trying your pattern for these socks. In the last year or two, I have knit a few pairs of fairly similar socks with worsted weight sock yarn from Novita, using their basic sock pattern or ones from books about Scandinavian knitting. They fit a lot like yours and I have found them to be super comfortable in walking boots and around the house. Sometimes with walking boots I will wear a thin commercial liner sock inside them.
Socks for me are ankle socks. We used to wear knee socks with elastic garters to keep them up. Stockings were above the knee held up by suspenders from a girdle as you describe. I also remember men having little suspenders around ankle socks. Apparently braces also known as suspenders, to hold up men’s trousers are making a come back. Fascinating video and I’m sorry you had to do it twice.
I have always thought of stockings and socks as much the same thing. In the 20th century, in the US, stocking means women’s fancy, very fine, (usually transparent) over the knee things. But in the UK, and in the US before say 1930, it’s pretty clear that “stocking” and “socks” can (and often do) refer to the same thing.
british grannies...'stockings' always for dress up ..above the knees % ...even for cocktails....thick winter stocking to stay warm - long as well....only Christmas stockings short
Roxanne hi, before anything, I very much enjoy watching your videos; great source to learn new things. Thanks so much. Having watched your last video, I realized I have some Anatolian (Turkish) socks that I had collected some years ago (mostly wool). They are stored somewhere, will have to dig them out if you may be interested. Cannot remember now but there should be a minimum 6 of them. I also was collecting crochet and knitting samplers (bands) from late 19th, early 20th Century. I have about +50 of them. You may well know that they were always knitted with cotton yarn and I have a couple old pair of socks again knitted with very fine cotton yarn. I am looking for a new home for all these goodies, may be you can help me find one. Thanks again♥
Those sound very interesting! Are you looking to sell them? Please msg me on Ravelry via DM, or you can email me at roxannerichardsonknits at gmail dot com.
Oh no, sorry to hear about your recording issues :( I was looking for Casual Friday earlier and thought something might have happened! I'm very excited to get to peek into Weldon's with you! I love to collect knowledge in book form and just started my knitting collection. Though I, too, perpetually need more space 😂
I think socks vs. stockings depend more on if you wear it with pants vs. skirts. Although I guess trouser socks are more stocking like and tights are more sock like. And bobby sock with skirts used to be a thing. I don't know. Stockings are usually finer gauge than socks.
With all of your spreadsheets I'm shocked you don't have a spreadsheet of your knitting library. 😲🤭 Honestly I thank you for the view of your library. 💞
I always think of stockings as above the knee also. But I always assumed that in the old days they called knee socks stockings because of Christmas Stockings which aren’t over the knee.
Looking forward to the sock pattern! As a visual learner, I would love for you to video a tutorial on the heel portion! I’ve been knee-deep (pun intended) in sock knitting for the ladies of my family, who are 1500-1800 miles away. This heel might be an interesting variation to add to the mix.
I'm so glad you explained how you define socks vs stockings. I could tell by the way you spoke that in your mind there was a clear difference, I just didn't know what it was. I always think of stockings as being sheer.... Aka panty hose. And socks and anything thicker. Except.... Christmas stockings. I have no idea why I wouldn't call them Christmas socks.
And in Czechia, you might have the "sock - undertheknee - stocking" differentiation. Although I've also seen historical, folk costume "undertheknees" referred to as stockings by museums... and even some pieces I would call socks. That makes me wonder if "socks" (let alone "undertheknees") are a fairly modern language development over here... ("Undertheknees" is my English calc for "podkolenky".)
P.S. But I was also very amused recently by an ad for "undertheknees"... that went over the knee. Which I suspect is connected to the fact that nowadays, stockings are indeed usually associated with the see-through kind.
Hi Roxanne! To me, stockings are the larger circle in the Venn diagram, and socks are a smaller circle (sub category) within stockings. Daily usage of those words in the US has evolved to mean the ones that are knee height or shorter are "socks" and the taller ones are stockings. My question is where does "hosiery" fit into all of this? I often find socks and stockings listed for sale on various sites under the category of "hosiery". And does the thickness of the item affect its label: nylon stockings vs knit tights, knee high nylon stockings versus some kind of sock, etc?
My grandmother wore garters & stockings. My mom told me girls wear stockings, boys wore socks. Perhaps this was a length issue since in my childhood girls had knee highs, & brothers were moer calf height, unless it was a sport / athletic sock, but only recall the male foot covering being labeled as socks. In the 70s, pantyhose came popular throwing another argument if pantyhose = stockings. Am excited about your sock pattern. What site do you use, raverly, etsy, or your own site?
I never really differentiated between “sock” or “stocking.” “Stocking” was just a more formal term. The thin version you refered to as “stockings” were called “nylons.” I grew up with Pennsylvania Dutch (German) heritage.
Regarding the ribbed socks: Wouldn’t a lower stitch count work? And perhaps have more/less ribbed sts on the top, so that the heel (because there’s no gusset) would fit the ankle better? Not sure if I’m being clear. But if compared to a short row or after/fore-thought heel, the diagonal would be similar (ie shallower/smaller)? Hence the ribbing. Would the heel to ribbing “ratio” work if the heel was wider = less ribbing? Also, if this was worked using fingering wt, wider heel (st st versus slipped rib = condensing the width), and less ribbing? Hmm so much to think about! You’ve got my brain smokin’!! Whereas I might give up when my brain hurts, you keep plugging along! Kudos! I too have a higher instep (diagonal), so I’m curious about the construction. You share such interesting & intriguing topics - Thank You!!
Yes, any sock can be knit to fit a specific person by measuring their foot, casting on an appropriate number of sts for their foot, adjusting the heel length, changing the length of the gusset, etc. This particular sock was knit in this way by the original knitter without a specific recipient in mind. Her relative said, "She probably knit 500 pairs of these socks." If I were knitting a pair of worsted weight socks that I wanted to fit me the way that I like, I would do many things differently.
Okay, I just “got” the idea of ‘making to fit most everyone’ part. I usually over-think things. lol Thanks for clarifying! The heel is just so intriguing! Looking forward to your directions, new (old) ways to make socks (or any xxx) are such fun !!
I always associated stockings with a material that went up to the thigh or waist. I would consider that a knee high sock. I guess it’s the generation I’m in. I was born in the early 80s
As I tell people, I don't have a plethora of books, I have a dearth of bookcases. That said, I try to avoid pattern books and focus on technique books. And I do fiction in ebook form so I can avoid the pile up I used to have.
Any sock could be modified in order to customize/change the fit, but the point of these particular socks, I think, is to fit almost anyone, using a relatively mindless process, once you get the hang of how the heel works. You could certainly use this heel in a different sock (you'd need to change stitch and row counts, and the decrease rate for the curve at the back of the heel if the yarn weight was different).
Please be sure to announce when That pattern is done. Their are quite a few of us who want to buy it. About what I think of as a sock vs a stocking. A sock is designed to stay up on its own. A stocking is made to be held up by something. To me stockings tend to be anything above the widest point of the calf. But that's just me. No historical research or accuracy.
Stockings for me are what you are calling 'knee highs'. Socks are like ankle socks. Hose are over the knee. We always called stockings held by garters 'nylons' or 'nylon stockings', not just the word stockings. I am 70, grew up in Indiana. Would never call a stocking to the knee a sock!:)
It's surprising to me that Weldon's has not been digitized for free access. Perhaps the originals are difficult to find and/or no one has been motivated to do it.
There are digitized copies available, from collectors who have scanned the copies and offer them for sale, particularly on etsy. The Knitting Reference Library on archive.org is a collection of books bequeathed to the University of Southhampton from three donors: Richard Rutt and Montse Stanley (who left their book collections to the university upon their deaths), and pattern booklets from Jane Waller (who is still alive). It's understandable that people who have spent money hunting down rare copies might choose to recoup their expenses by selling digitized copies.
Hello! I just found your videos while desperately looking for answers. How is the ribbing so elasticated on those socks? Did you add elastic thread or does the yarn have additives? What is the secret? I have watched dozens of tutorials. I have tried every yarn and size and needle i can get my hands on, but none of them have any "pull" to shape the ribbing after stretching. Can you help?
Without knowing the specific yarns (and their fiber content), and the gauges you worked them at, it's difficult to answer that question. If you post your question in my Ravelry group (there's a link at the bottom of every video description), along with specific information, and even some example photos, we can probably provide some answers.
I'm a Boomer generation Aussie. For my age group - Socks reach between the ankle & the knee, anything over the knee is a Stocking. I hear younger generations use Stocking to refer to what my generation call Pantyhose - we call them Pantyhose because they are Pants & Hose in one - Pants were Pantaloons that men wore above their Hose (Stocking). It is a wonder to me that anyone not born to the English language can ever learn to navigate it fluently 😆
It's in the video description. Underneath the video title you should see *more..* Click on that, and then you'll see the start of the description. YOu'll probably then have to click on *Show more*
The Colbert NCIS vignette was a hoot! Thank you for sharing. I grew up in the 60's in Norfolk, Virginia. My mom wore what I call stockings in the 60's. She wore a girdle and a garter belt with 2 pairs of stockings attached to the belt hooks. Also, my mom told me she wore a girdle from college on, even though she had a petite figure. The purpose of girdle was to have a smooth appearance under her garments more so than to reduce the appearance of her waistline. I remember when pantyhose entered the market. My mom and grandmother both started wearing them immediately. I wore them throughout high school and most of my working career until the casual dress code arrived on the work scene. In the later years of my career, I did not wear pantyhose with dresses, except in winter. I was shocked when I attended a funeral a few years ago at a "fancy" church (i.e. it was in an exclusive neighborhood and the congregants were wealthy), and all the women were bared legged. Granted it was summer in Virginia, but I had never seen women go to church without hosiery. I call socks just that: socks you were on your feet. They may be anklets, stop mid calf or go to the knee. Stockings for me were either Christmas stockings to hang on the mantel or the stockings my mother wore prior to pantyhose. And, don't get me started on the casual dress code for work places! If I was stunned to see women not wearing hosiery to a funeral at a church, you can imagine my shock at what has become routine work garments in the workplace!
Newfound land became a province of Canada in 1949 until that time it was known as a dominion as an independent country. In 1934 British appointed commission started to rule
Same, over the knee, stocking. Under the knee, sock. Thank you for posting. I’m learning so much! 😊😊😊
OMG__Fine Points on Late Night was hysterical! Thanks!
The stockings/sock dilemma is quite broad in definitions. For me it's: sport/shorty socks__(above)ankle and men's dress socks__knee high, over the knee, or thigh high socks__women's nylon knee hi's__period dress knee high or over the knee stockings__women's silk or nylon stockings (thigh high, with or without girdle or garter belt)__fishnet stockings or panty hose__(nylon) panty hose__opaque or knitted/crocheted tights. Yep, I think that covers just about everything. 😱😛😹
Looking forward to your sock "project". 💖🙌😺
In the Northwest US, the term boot socks is used to refer to very thick socks (worsted weight thickness) that are used instead of the wool or felt liners in winter boots. You buy them a size or do bigger than summer or normal boot sizes to accommodate thick socks to keep warm and/or you remove the liner to your boots and wear the socks instrad. I have a pair of these type of boot socks from a German great-great aunt. They're wool, probably a sport weight yarn originally but knit at a very tight gauge (I suspect meant to felt over time) and reach up to just below the knee on a man (taller than the boots would be).
When I was growing up in the U.S., "socks" were either calf-high or knee-high but the latter were called "knee-high socks." Later, during my professional working years,, "knee-highs" referred to nylon calf-high and were worn with slacks/trousers or long skirts. "Stockings" were "nylons" until "pantyhose" came along. Exception: "Christmas stocking." Oh, and "anklets" were for little girls, and were socks that had a turn-down cuff, often edged with lace or ruffles.
I have made a couple pairs of socks but they aren't great. I am hopeful that I will learn more during this long- term project.
I had never considered why I call something a sock or a stocking, but there definitely is a difference in my mind. I was a teenager in the 60's and stockings were definitely mid-thigh and held up with some kind of garter device. When I thought about it, I would consider anything held up with a garter device a stocking and they would probably be at least knee length. I enjoy your videos very much. Thank you.
In the southeast, US, stockings are snug fitting and a tight gauge, whether it's knee-high, thigh-high, or to the waist. Socks have a slightly more relaxed fit and can be knee-high or shorter
My mother is about your age, and I have the same perception of stockings: below the knee = socks, above the knee = stockings.
I need to knit new slippers for my husband, so I think I'll give this pattern a try when you release it! I agree, the fabric is too bunchy for most boot applications.
In Den ark sock translates in to sok and stockings in to strømpe. In general stockings are knitted with a tighter gauge. They can be short, knee high or above the knee. Stockings are often made of cotten or nylon.
Up to knee I call them socks, up to the thigh stockings,up to the waist tights. The word hosiery covers them all if searching for them in a store. Stockings are held up with suspenders, braces hold up trousers, pants are underwear here. I’m from England.
Wow, what a surprise from coming in really hot from the garden and you were there waiting for me. My neighbour's are away at the moment and because they have 3 young boys, the grass on their used to be lawn has got away from them and because I was going to be doing mine, I shot over and did theirs. Looks lovely but it took some doing and then the grass had to go to the green waste depot. I wondered half way through if I had bitten off more than I could chew but its nearly Christmas and such an nice way to help someone.
Your podcasts are always so informative and I too look at and read your book titles while I listen. Your sock looked fantastic and I was really impressed by the way you had you foot up high and were able to hold it. I think I may have done that but it was absolute years ago and if I did it now, someone would have to come and unwind me. I won't hold you up anymore but thank you for your visit and will catch you up again on the next one. Take it easy and take care.
For me, in the modern day, stockings are sheer items made from silk or nylon usually but not always worn by women and socks were everything else EXCEPT stockings were also tightly knitted hose worn with knee breeches usually in very old fashion extreme formal dress. As always, a stimulating casual Friday, as you can tell I’m working through your back catalog
I always thought of stockings as those that were made with very fine thread/nylon rather than with yarn. My mother was fluent in French, Spanish, Arabic and English was a second language for her. I feel that this is why I sometimes use a word for it's second or third definition as that is what I was raised with.
Stockings - need to hit above the knee, can be used with garter belt that ranges from sheer material to a knit
Pantyhose- look of stockings but a complete undergarment great for children and dancers
Knee socks - hit at the knee, above or just below the kneecap. great for transition to stockings or winter.
Boot/ Men's Professional socks - hit around mid calf. most knit socks are boot socks in my personal opinion.
Shorty socks - hit slightly above or at the ankle. can sometimes see over sneakers. this is what I consider a regular sock
no see socks - for flats or loafers or closed tow heels. basically covers the bottom of your foot heel and toes.
32:00 in recent years I’ve made a switch to minimalistic footwear. Meaning shoes with no toespring, zero drop (meaning no heal), soft shoe and flexible soles, wide toebox etc.
This have given me the realization of how the shoe fit really matters for how the sock have to fit.
Before I switched I just bought the matching size of socks as my shoes the label said. But in the recent years I seeked out socks with an other fit, that rather sits loose then have a snug fit. As with shoes that is soft and not restricting a loose sock that bundle up doesn’t case the comfort and fit issue that a rigid shoe do.
This make me think about how the idea of how a shoe should sit might have impacted sock fitting and design historical.
I guess people might have had a shoe made with a heel from a cobbler, or had clog’s or sewn their own from leather, and they all might have very different fit on the wearer.
I guess that cobbler’s have used last to build shoes on for a long time, but looking back in history shoe fashion have varied some as well as what people here able to afford. In socks I wonder how people then thought of fit. As for example contemporary handknit socks are most often designed with such a tapered toe, but has the idea of what is a good fit changed through history? Where they knitting sock differently for working boots, military boots or riding boots?
As an example, I learned that here in Sweden, the state (like in the fifties or something?) started to research and set standards for all sorts of things. For example in cooking they set a standard for exactly how much a tablespoon where, while before it have just been any tablespoon a person would own. It’s in this I wonder about sock fittings, how it was approached and what people regarded as good fit before the international standards that we take for granted now?
Socks - to me - are ankle, knee high, or footies. Stockings are thigh high nylon held up by a garter belt or girdle. Hose (panty hose) are from waist to toe nylon (also called tights). My Grandmother wore a girdle and stockings all my life. My mother and I wore panty hose. I think in the use of the word stockings is also the word sock and the terms can be used interchangeablely. Also it can depend on geographical location and vocabulary as to how the words are used. (Just for reference I'm 61 and was born in 1961.)
One difference I think of is women wear stockings, men wear socks. Men don't need them to be higher than boot cuff height. Women wore them under shirts and held up by gathers.
Socks, stockings, hose, etc. seem to have varied a lot in meaning in the U.S. and UK over the years/decades. I remember a Trollope novel in which a somewhat spoiled girl (now reformed) is asked whether she'll mend her future husband's stockings. "Yes if he wears stockings. I know he doesn't. He always wears socks. He told me so. Whatever he has, I'll mend -- or make if he wants me to." "He" is an army officer, so socks might have been part of his uniform in 1880.
Love the colour you used for the replica! For me, so used to the original ones, it’s funny to see. Traditionally they were and still are only knitted in that specific grey melange. I guess that because they were originally knitted with mixed colours of undyed wool. They are ment to have a looser fit and have that thicker layer of fabric. As I share in comment on previous video, we used to wear them in our wellies/rubber rain boots. And also in our skates. Both were bought in one size larger to make sure you have enough room for the thicker sock. That extra room filled with the thickness of the socks is part of why they are so warm and comfortable to wear. It works even better if you wear a pair of thin regular thight fitting socks in them. That way the rubbing that tend to occur in rubber rain boots happens between the two sock layers and not the boot and the skin.
My modern hiking boots are my regular size and I wear them with modern hiking socks. Those shoes/boots have so much more padding and layers build in the shoes themselves that I like you prefer a tighter fitting thinner sock.
P.s. Just hopping back in; got sucked into the geitenwollen-sock rabbit hole a bit. Haha 😊. Wanted to add that the looseness shouldn’t be too much of course; you want thickness not plaids or folds in the shoe/boot. That would increase the risk of blisters instead of reducing that.
Ah yes, the Dutch geitenwollen sokken! ("goat's wool socks") They are also meant for the wooden clogs (klompen). I remember them as being of quite sturdy wool, with less elasticity in the fiber than Roxanne's purple pair. Hence the ribbing. They are still sold, but seem to be disappearing.
When my family was referring to pantyhose or nylons we called them stockings. Especially if they were thicker and more like tights. If they were sheer we called them pantyhose (East coast USA, age 40s)
Hi there - In Australia stockings are also referred to as Tights in the UK so they come right up around the waist and cover the whole lower body. Socks are just what we wear on our feet and are short or knee lenght.
Hilarious tidbits, txs. Your approach to knitting i like a lot. Specially now with the socks. I hope you will do a technical tutorial on calf shaping with toe-up kneesocks.
Stockings/Nylons/Thigh-Hi. Knee-Hi (sock or nylon). Socks. Footies.
Thank you! To me (67 yo, USA) stockings are long(er) than socks. Knee-hi is a stocking. Christmas stockings are stockings. A sock length fits from below the ankle up to the calf area, and occasionally one finds a 'toe sock.'
Enlightening, as always, and your video links are particularly entertaining, this week. Many thanks, yet again.
Great episode!!! I’m so excited for the sock pattern and definitely looking forward to knitting it. Thank you so very much for the slow pan over your book shelves!! I’ve spent more than my fair share of time perusing your titles. As to stockings vs socks? Socks are thicker, and shorter, going to just over the knees at most. Stockings are finer, thinner gauge fabric, in lengths from the knee up to the thigh…at least that’s how I was taught.😂 Honestly, I think the definition is regional more than anything.
Thank you for this wonderful podcast and for sharing all of your Tidbits! I really look forward to my weekly rabbit hole adventures. 😂😂 Love, light, and blessings to you and yours.
In Scotland we refer to knee socks as top hose or knee highs. Above knee is just stockings. Nylon stocking are just nylons and held up with a panty girdle with holders or suspender belt, nowadays they are tights! Very interesting and enjoyable post, tassie🏴
Fascinating episode!
I’m very excited for the pattern release of this sock as I’ve been wanting to knit socks for my mum. This could be the perfect solution!
Thanks for a great video (as always)! I am swedish and I followed your sock knit-along instructions when making a pair of socks for my husband last year. I had to start over a number of times and they kept ending up being too tight (I didn't mind, I enjoyed following the instructions and trying to figure out what went wrong). It was only after finally finishing them that I realized that what I had in mind was what I would call "sockor" (plural) in swedish which are something very similar to the norweigan sock you are studying. A sock knitted in thicker yarn and with a loose fit that you could e g wear on top of a pair of thinner "strumpor" (that would be a regular sock I guess) both around the house and in a pair of winter boots. Aside from that I don't think we have a particular word for stockings other than "nylonstrumpor" if they are made of nylon, "strumbyxor" (sock-pants) if they are in one piece and go up to the waist and, yeah, just knästrumpor (knee-socks) for any kind of sock that goes up to the knee. I would say that the most important distiction in swedish is between sockor and strumpor based on thickness and how tight they are.
/Marika
What a fantastic library! I really wish there was a physical library somewhere dedicated to knitting. I would love to see a list of your library contents!! Online bibliography tools exist. And that is hours and hours of typing so I have no real expectations of every seeing such a list. I have gotten so much out of all your book reviews over the years. Thank you so much for the drive by!
We have a Textile Center here in Minneapolis, where the various guilds house their libraries. As long as you're a member of either the Textile Center or one of the guilds, you can check out any book. It's a good way for me to access out-of-print books published some time after the mid 1980s, or for me to look at new books to decide if it's something I would like to have for my own library. I use the Ravelry's Library feature to log my books. Anything I manually enter into my library can be seen by others. (Digital purchases can't be seen by other people.) I don't have 100% of my books in there, but I do have a good portion of them.
@@RoxanneRichardson Oh wow! Thank you for letting me know. I am definitely going to be snooping your book list on Ravelry! I am in Ohio.. so that is a long distance library usage for me to access the Textile center. But boy that does sound like a worthy trip!! Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for the interesting video, Roxanne, I think like you about, Socks being shorter, knee highs to under the knee, and stockings to mid thigh. However, I always thought men in many countries, a couple centuries ago, wore stockings that came to their knees and their pants just under the knee.
I am totally fascinated with this sock series. I have only hand knit 3 pair of socks, however have made nearly a hundred pair of socks in the last 4 years. I am using a one hundred year old circular sock machine (csm). All of the information from the antique hand knitting books is intriguing to see which, if any, of these techniques can be converted to use on the sock machine. Conversely, I am wondering if the old sock machine manuals instructions could be used to hand knit, I am pretty sure it would be easy to do. There are many, many, ways to customize a sock or stocking, on the csm. I too need more length in the height of the heel, because of it being so pronounced, similar to yours. This is easily accomplished on the sock machine. There are several patterns for stockings as well.
This is most likely an avenue you didn't want to go down but here is is a link to the csm manuals with wonderful sock patterns. mkmanuals.com/csm.html each manual has a varity of patterns.
On a side note, GIRL, you are very flexible. Being able to pull you foot up over your head to show us your socks! Wow! Impressive!
Thank you again for your interesting topics and for sharing your knowledge! SO GREATLY APPRECIATED
Most 19th century socks would be knit with a heel flap and gusset. CSMs can knit a short row heel. Weldon's PRactical Stocking Knitter includes a "Niantic" heel (named for a company that produced machine knit socks). They explain how to make one, and then state that there is a stocking pattern later in the publication that includes this heel, but that the pattern calls for a short heel flap prior to working the heel, in order to provide more room. Other short row sock heels from that era and later will call for picking up quite a few sts at the corners of the heel prior to working the foot, and then knitting a short gusset. They understood from the start that a short row heel was too shallow for most people.
@@RoxanneRichardson heel flaps and gussets can be made on the sock machine.
Loving your episodes and all the fascinating info. The boots I wear a thicker sock with are my Uggs! These boots have a loose fit so a thicker sock is most desirable! 🎉
Interesting. I find my Uggs fit better and are warmer *without* socks!
Also here in the Netherlands leg-wear just under the knee is considered stockings. In Dutch we call those 'kniekousen'. A 'kous' can be from knee-high to thigh-high. From ankle to calf it is called 'sok'. Very low ankle socks can even be called 'voetjes'.
And then the next thing is: what is considered a 'boot' and what a 'shoe'. That entered my mind when you said you would only wear those socks in 'rain boots'. I thought of rubber boots being called 'wellies' (Wellington boots) in UK English. In Dutch those are 'regenlaarzen' or 'rubber laarzen'. Leather /fashion boots can be 'laarzen' (pl. or 'laars') too in Dutch.
If I understand well in the USA boots can be ankle high too. I don't know about this in the UK. But in Dutch that's different. If they are of the sturdy type meant for work or hiking, they are 'hoge schoenen' (high shoes) and if they are the fashionable type they are now called 'booties' ...
As a fellow Dutchie I second this! Additionally, the nylon variety of kous may be called 'pantykous' and can also be either under or over the knee.
@@annaapple7452 then you need to tell too what is considered a 'panty' in Dutch ...
In some cases I consider socks and stockings as interchangeable terms (e.g., "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care" puts in my mind the image of what I would usually call a sock). But usually, I consider a sock to be a thicker fabric and stockings are at a much finer gauge. Nylon "stockings" can be knee high, thigh high, or to the waist. I consider what men wore in the 1700s to be stockings (thin and shapely). What I wear in my running shoes or winter books are socks (thicker and springy).
Thanks for sharing the T-rex video, I saw it last week while on holiday in London and it's fun to see how they did put the sweater on.
Growing up (1990s, western US) I only heard the word "stockings" used by my grandparents' generation. It seemed to refer to what my mom called "nylons" - very thin or sheer foot/leg coverings of any length, but usually knee high and typically worn for more dressy occasions. As opposed to socks which were thicker and more athletic or casual in nature, but still of any length. Knee high socks and knee high stockings were two different things - it was about the material not the length.
Thoroughly enjoyed the video on Paisley Thread!
Hello , you are so kind we all like to spy on other crafter's and knittier's studio it 's for comforting and i'm not alone in all of my STUFF. I love it grateful:)
I,ve been knitting wrist warmers From Weldon’s vol 5 for Christmas. People love them, even my brother.
Thanks for another awesome video including the tidbits. Colbert and Paisley were both a treat! The grafted heel sock exploration is really intriguing. I love the finished appearance of the first sock and I wonder how that heel-type would work with all stockinette instead of the rib? I seem to always get lost in wrap and turn heels. When it works please also mention more specific info about your yarn choice for the socks. Thanks for all you share!
You always amaze me! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
The Fine Points footage was hilarious, Roxanne 😂 great that everyone went to so much trouble to make the film and boost her small business 👍 Stockings...well I always think of stockings as nylons that come up to the thigh and are kept up with a suspender belt. Silk stockings would be the luxury version of course. I always presumed that what were called stockings hundreds of years ago came up to the thigh also but now I'm wondering if they only came up to the knee. More research needed. Amber Butchart would know😉
In Germany knee high socks are called "Kniestrümpfe" which translates into knee stockings, no matter if made from wool, cotton or nylon.. Only socks below that point are called "Socken". I'm really looing forward to your sock journey :)
In Dutch (which is in the same language - how to you call that - family?) it’s the same: socks (sokken) end below the bulge of the calf at thier highest. As soon as it starts covering the bulge of the calf it a “kous” which translates to stocking. So what you call knee socks we call knee stockings if we want to be precise, but often we call them just stockings. And if they go above the knee and higher they are called simply stockings.
In Swedish it's more about the fineness of the material. Sheer to thin fabric is considered "strumpor" (stockings,) regardless of length. "Sockor" (socks) are more like the burgundy ones you show, and meant so keep your feet warm in winter. They are rarely longer than the ones you show.
I Denmark its allmost the same as in Sweden (our countries are neighbors) knaestroemper, meaning knie-highs. Socks (sokker) is a thicker versions, to keep your feet warm in the winter. Stockings (stroemper) is shorter an made in a thinner material. Nylons is also stockings - Long stockings. About knitted socks nowadays; they were called socks in my youth in the 70ties - but nowadays in 2023 we lean more towards calling them stockings (stroemper). I think its a sort of acceptance of knitted socks - in the 70ties it was not really appropiate except for young people, hippies and creative people or for men with hard work.
Fine Points is one of my local yarn shops! So glad they are getting so much press!
In Turkish, we don't have separate words for socks and stockings, we use "çorap" for both. But we have a different name for house socks "patik". Actually I'm not sure if long, thin stockings were used before the modernization of the country so we can assume that there's no lingual description for something didn't exist a hundred years ago for the people who lived in that area. But because of the lack of academic studies on historical textiles of Turkey, it's hard to tell if there really was a piece of clothing looked like and used like a pair of stockings in that culture and disappeared or just simply didn't exist.
I’m really looking forward to trying your pattern for these socks. In the last year or two, I have knit a few pairs of fairly similar socks with worsted weight sock yarn from Novita, using their basic sock pattern or ones from books about Scandinavian knitting. They fit a lot like yours and I have found them to be super comfortable in walking boots and around the house. Sometimes with walking boots I will wear a thin commercial liner sock inside them.
Socks for me are ankle socks. We used to wear knee socks with elastic garters to keep them up. Stockings were above the knee held up by suspenders from a girdle as you describe. I also remember men having little suspenders around ankle socks. Apparently braces also known as suspenders, to hold up men’s trousers are making a come back. Fascinating video and I’m sorry you had to do it twice.
Thanks
You're welcome!
Good boot socks for cowboy boots.
I have always thought of stockings and socks as much the same thing. In the 20th century, in the US, stocking means women’s fancy, very fine, (usually transparent) over the knee things.
But in the UK, and in the US before say 1930, it’s pretty clear that “stocking” and “socks” can (and often do) refer to the same thing.
british grannies...'stockings' always for dress up ..above the knees % ...even for cocktails....thick winter stocking to stay warm - long as well....only Christmas stockings short
❤ I’m originally from Cleveland! This was awesome!
Roxanne hi, before anything, I very much enjoy watching your videos; great source to learn new things. Thanks so much. Having watched your last video, I realized I have some Anatolian (Turkish) socks that I had collected some years ago (mostly wool). They are stored somewhere, will have to dig them out if you may be interested. Cannot remember now but there should be a minimum 6 of them. I also was collecting crochet and knitting samplers (bands) from late 19th, early 20th Century. I have about +50 of them. You may well know that they were always knitted with cotton yarn and I have a couple old pair of socks again knitted with very fine cotton yarn. I am looking for a new home for all these goodies, may be you can help me find one. Thanks again♥
Those sound very interesting! Are you looking to sell them? Please msg me on Ravelry via DM, or you can email me at roxannerichardsonknits at gmail dot com.
@@RoxanneRichardson Thank you. I shall be sending you an e-mail.
Oh no, sorry to hear about your recording issues :( I was looking for Casual Friday earlier and thought something might have happened!
I'm very excited to get to peek into Weldon's with you! I love to collect knowledge in book form and just started my knitting collection. Though I, too, perpetually need more space 😂
Great episode!
I think socks vs. stockings depend more on if you wear it with pants vs. skirts. Although I guess trouser socks are more stocking like and tights are more sock like. And bobby sock with skirts used to be a thing. I don't know. Stockings are usually finer gauge than socks.
Yes, bobby socks and saddle shoes. Penny loafers.😊
@@-.-4 ,
With real pennies in them! 😱😛💖😺
With all of your spreadsheets I'm shocked you don't have a spreadsheet of your knitting library. 😲🤭
Honestly I thank you for the view of your library. 💞
I keep track of a lot of my books in my Ravelry library. :-)
My terminology for socks and stockings are like yours and I am 64 and from Central Alabama.
I always think of stockings as above the knee also. But I always assumed that in the old days they called knee socks stockings because of Christmas Stockings which aren’t over the knee.
Looking forward to the sock pattern! As a visual learner, I would love for you to video a tutorial on the heel portion! I’ve been knee-deep (pun intended) in sock knitting for the ladies of my family, who are 1500-1800 miles away. This heel might be an interesting variation to add to the mix.
I demonstrated two different techniques for closing the heel in the past two Casual Friday episodes.
I'm so glad you explained how you define socks vs stockings. I could tell by the way you spoke that in your mind there was a clear difference, I just didn't know what it was.
I always think of stockings as being sheer.... Aka panty hose. And socks and anything thicker.
Except.... Christmas stockings. I have no idea why I wouldn't call them Christmas socks.
We call them Christmas stockings because they were invented in a time period when people hung their actual stockings up.
@@RoxanneRichardson yes, that makes sense.
And in Czechia, you might have the "sock - undertheknee - stocking" differentiation. Although I've also seen historical, folk costume "undertheknees" referred to as stockings by museums... and even some pieces I would call socks. That makes me wonder if "socks" (let alone "undertheknees") are a fairly modern language development over here...
("Undertheknees" is my English calc for "podkolenky".)
P.S. But I was also very amused recently by an ad for "undertheknees"... that went over the knee.
Which I suspect is connected to the fact that nowadays, stockings are indeed usually associated with the see-through kind.
I have a very wide foot. This shock sounds like it would be a comfortable and supportive fit.
Hi Roxanne! To me, stockings are the larger circle in the Venn diagram, and socks are a smaller circle (sub category) within stockings. Daily usage of those words in the US has evolved to mean the ones that are knee height or shorter are "socks" and the taller ones are stockings. My question is where does "hosiery" fit into all of this? I often find socks and stockings listed for sale on various sites under the category of "hosiery". And does the thickness of the item affect its label: nylon stockings vs knit tights, knee high nylon stockings versus some kind of sock, etc?
I've been looking into the etymology of "stocking" and "sock," vs "hose," so that will be a topic for a future CasFri. :-)
I’ve got to watch it 😁
My grandmother wore garters & stockings. My mom told me girls wear stockings, boys wore socks. Perhaps this was a length issue since in my childhood girls had knee highs, & brothers were moer calf height, unless it was a sport / athletic sock, but only recall the male foot covering being labeled as socks. In the 70s, pantyhose came popular throwing another argument if pantyhose = stockings.
Am excited about your sock pattern.
What site do you use, raverly, etsy, or your own site?
I use Ravelry.
A sock comes below the knee. A stocking comes above the knee. That’s how I see it. Interesting it’s seen differently by others.
I never really differentiated between “sock” or “stocking.” “Stocking” was just a more formal term. The thin version you refered to as “stockings” were called “nylons.” I grew up with Pennsylvania Dutch (German) heritage.
Nice sweater!
Regarding the ribbed socks:
Wouldn’t a lower stitch count work? And perhaps have more/less ribbed sts on the top, so that the heel (because there’s no gusset) would fit the ankle better? Not sure if I’m being clear.
But if compared to a short row or after/fore-thought heel, the diagonal would be similar (ie shallower/smaller)? Hence the ribbing.
Would the heel to ribbing “ratio” work if the heel was wider = less ribbing?
Also, if this was worked using fingering wt, wider heel (st st versus slipped rib = condensing the width), and less ribbing?
Hmm so much to think about! You’ve got my brain smokin’!! Whereas I might give up when my brain hurts, you keep plugging along! Kudos!
I too have a higher instep (diagonal), so I’m curious about the construction.
You share such interesting & intriguing topics - Thank You!!
Yes, any sock can be knit to fit a specific person by measuring their foot, casting on an appropriate number of sts for their foot, adjusting the heel length, changing the length of the gusset, etc. This particular sock was knit in this way by the original knitter without a specific recipient in mind. Her relative said, "She probably knit 500 pairs of these socks." If I were knitting a pair of worsted weight socks that I wanted to fit me the way that I like, I would do many things differently.
Okay, I just “got” the idea of ‘making to fit most everyone’ part. I usually over-think things. lol Thanks for clarifying!
The heel is just so intriguing! Looking forward to your directions, new (old) ways to make socks (or any xxx) are such fun !!
I always associated stockings with a material that went up to the thigh or waist. I would consider that a knee high sock. I guess it’s the generation I’m in. I was born in the early 80s
As I tell people, I don't have a plethora of books, I have a dearth of bookcases. That said, I try to avoid pattern books and focus on technique books. And I do fiction in ebook form so I can avoid the pile up I used to have.
That's my approach, as well, but the vintage knitting books thing kind of threw a monkey wrench into all of that!
@@RoxanneRichardson I was wondering if you have additional knitting books in digital form?
I'll be very interested in these socks. Would you say they coud be knitted in finer yarn to fit more snugly ?
Any sock could be modified in order to customize/change the fit, but the point of these particular socks, I think, is to fit almost anyone, using a relatively mindless process, once you get the hang of how the heel works. You could certainly use this heel in a different sock (you'd need to change stitch and row counts, and the decrease rate for the curve at the back of the heel if the yarn weight was different).
Please be sure to announce when That pattern is done. Their are quite a few of us who want to buy it. About what I think of as a sock vs a stocking. A sock is designed to stay up on its own. A stocking is made to be held up by something. To me stockings tend to be anything above the widest point of the calf. But that's just me. No historical research or accuracy.
Stockings for me are what you are calling 'knee highs'. Socks are like ankle socks. Hose are over the knee. We always called stockings held by garters 'nylons' or 'nylon stockings', not just the word stockings. I am 70, grew up in Indiana. Would never call a stocking to the knee a sock!:)
It's surprising to me that Weldon's has not been digitized for free access. Perhaps the originals are difficult to find and/or no one has been motivated to do it.
There are digitized copies available, from collectors who have scanned the copies and offer them for sale, particularly on etsy. The Knitting Reference Library on archive.org is a collection of books bequeathed to the University of Southhampton from three donors: Richard Rutt and Montse Stanley (who left their book collections to the university upon their deaths), and pattern booklets from Jane Waller (who is still alive). It's understandable that people who have spent money hunting down rare copies might choose to recoup their expenses by selling digitized copies.
Hello! I just found your videos while desperately looking for answers. How is the ribbing so elasticated on those socks? Did you add elastic thread or does the yarn have additives? What is the secret? I have watched dozens of tutorials. I have tried every yarn and size and needle i can get my hands on, but none of them have any "pull" to shape the ribbing after stretching. Can you help?
Without knowing the specific yarns (and their fiber content), and the gauges you worked them at, it's difficult to answer that question. If you post your question in my Ravelry group (there's a link at the bottom of every video description), along with specific information, and even some example photos, we can probably provide some answers.
I'm a Boomer generation Aussie. For my age group - Socks reach between the ankle & the knee, anything over the knee is a Stocking. I hear younger generations use Stocking to refer to what my generation call Pantyhose - we call them Pantyhose because they are Pants & Hose in one - Pants were Pantaloons that men wore above their Hose (Stocking). It is a wonder to me that anyone not born to the English language can ever learn to navigate it fluently 😆
I can't find the links you say are below. I've tried on my phone and tablet. How?
It's in the video description. Underneath the video title you should see *more..* Click on that, and then you'll see the start of the description. YOu'll probably then have to click on *Show more*
Thanks! 😂 at Cleveland!
One of your daughters would definitely be thrilled to have a pair of thigh high knit stockings, if you could bear to knit them. 😬