Knitting the "Knitter's Almanac": Nether Garments

I found it difficult to whip up any enthusiasm for this month's Knitter's Almanac project, what Elizabeth rather Englishly calls "nether garments," wondering what on earth I would do with full-length woollen stockings in what we naively call "winter" here in Southern California.  I thought that things would go the way of the Difficult Sweater (Not Really).  Until, that is, one day a few months ago, when I was reading Anne's post about her socks, it suddenly came to me in a kind of whisper ... Shepherd Sock.

This is the "Lakeview" colorway -- I was somewhat limited in the choice of colors, to those that had at least eight skeins on hand, and so I got this one, a rather serene and pretty blend of blue, teal, and purple.

This month's project came about from Elizabeth's frustration at not being able to find a pattern for "truly organically designed" tights, not the ones that are knitted flat and sewn together.  "Wouldn't you think that such a very circular piece of work would bring the term 'circular needle" to the designer's minds?" she asks rhetorically.  "Let us be the first on the block, then, yea, the first in the town, the county, the State, to make these useful garments the way I'm sure Providence intended them to be made, on circular needles"!  I don't know quite when I will be able to actually wear them, but I'm interested in the process, and certain in the possibilities, as well as the opportunity to try Lorna's Laces for the first time.  Let's look at it this way -- (stands on head) -- if I ever make it to Scotland for that ancestor-hunting, hill-walking, probably-in-the-off-season-because-that's-the-only-way-we'll-be-able-to-afford-it holiday, I will want Nether Garments!

"I have been known to pull them on under a housedress, add boots, my warm coat, and woolly cap and mittens, and trot comfortably to the A&P, looking (almost) like everybody else."

Much of this chapter is taken up in calculations for the Nether Garments, which require a good amount of shaping -- but fear not, Elizabeth includes a kind of template into which you plug your measurements and multiply by your gauge.

Some excellent advice about first projects for children -- "M and F" -- learning to knit: garter-stitch pot-holders, in variegated wool.  "Then hang the pot-holder up behind the stove, and use it, and use it, and use it.  It won't be your most efficient pot-holder -- it will give you many a burned hand -- but use it.  It won't even be necessary to comment on its excellence or beauty every time you use it; you will be noticed, and the fact that it will soon become shabby, worn, and beat-up will be the best thanks and encouragement you can give.  Soon its successor will be cast on."

I'm also collecting Elizabeth Zimmermann appreciations -- here is a lovely one from Grumperina (the button is hers), and here is one from Knitting Universe.

Comments

[Mary Tess]

I'm impressed that you are staying faithful to KA and am looking forward to seeing the nether garments you create. I'm still making squares on the blanket from several months ago. Was it March? I suggest that all EZ fans look at Brooklintweed's 8/30/06 entry showing the sweater he created from Knitting Without Tears http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/ . An illustration of how a classically beautiful sweater can be created from a well designed pattern.

[Christina]

I look forward to your progress, Jeanne.

[Marie]

I have two skein of the same LL colorway in my stash, ear-marked for the decidely less exciting (and intriguing) purpose of socks-knitting. It is quite a pretty colorway. I'm looking forward to seeing how your "nether garments" turn out in those lovely shades of purple, teal, and blue.