You know those thick, fuzzy cable knit tights that they sell for little girls? Where can a life-sized adult woman find something like them? I'm definately NOT talking about "cable-knit opaque tights" that they sell in the shopping malls - they are not much thicker pantyhose. Ditto the cable knit tights in Vermont country store catalog (hard to tell by the drawing, but I ordered some and that's what they were. Pooey.) I want THICK (sweater thick, or at least knee-sock thick), soft, fuzzy cable knit (or just plain old knit) tights. Yarn must be super soft sock acrylic or wool, maybe cotton (although I'm unsure if that would be warm enough). I itch with regular wool and cheap acrylic.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001

Answers

Have you considered thermal underwear, bottoms.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), November 25, 2001.

I have an Amish friend that wears them under her dresses in the Winter. Maybe an Amish catalogue? I have ordered the very heavy knee socks from Penneys. Don't know if they would have the cabled tights or not. I know that they still have them for girls. Maybe you could wear the girl's large size.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 25, 2001.

A few years ago I bought tights like it sounds you want from LL Bean. I still wear them because they are so warm and do not run. Terry

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), November 25, 2001.

Look at www.sierratradingpost.com. They have Duofold long underwear, cotton on the inside and wool/cotton outside. Not itchy at all.Come in natural white or sometimes blue and you can get them on occasion for $10.00.. a bargain. They don't have feet in them. I have had several pairs now for quite a few years, wear like iron. You can wear under skirts, pants or as PJ bottoms.

-- Kate in New York (kate@sheepyvalley.com), November 25, 2001.

Hello Soni,

I'm unable to answer your "sweater" tights question, but I've purchased silk/blend long johns from JCPenny. I think the brand was Cuddleduds. They are white, off white or black and have long johns, short johns, camisoles, and long sleeved tops. I think there was a turtle neck too. They wash well and do not feel bulky under my clothes. We are in Western NY where it is well below 0 in the winter and I wear them all the time. They are nice to sleep in too. This might be something to add to your christmas list.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), November 25, 2001.

I beleive I've seen what you are talking about in the Hanna Andersson catalog. All of her stuff is Swedish made and is very high quality. www.hannaandersson.com If I remember correctly she had both cotton and quality wool tights.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), November 25, 2001.

Soni, Call 1-800-398-2494, the company is GVS, they are in MO. They carry the Heavy duty cable tights you're looking for. They come in sizes 4-6,7-10, 12-14 and 14-16. They are also in infant and childrens sizes. The cost is $3.29 a pair but the more you purchase the price drops (ie. 3 pr. would be $3.19 ea, 6 pr. are $3.09 each.) I buy these for my daughter and they are top quality. They come in Black, Navy, White, Cream, Green, and Burgundy. Just ask for a cataloge and then once you're on their mailing list you'll receive their quarterly sales flyer. Hope this helps.

-- Kelle in MT (kvent1729@aol.com), November 25, 2001.

Hi Soni, this isn't really what you asked about but if you're thinking about keeping your legs warm while doing outside chores I make myself leggings to put over my jeans. I knit them so they're big enough to go around my legs and over my jeans and long enough to cover my legs as high as I want them. Thank heavens I live in the country because I use left over yarn so you never know what colors I've blended together to wear. When I come in I slip them off and hang them on the hook until later. Keeps me warm, keeps my jeans clean and I don't have to undress to remove them.

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001.

Two things you can try. One, look at ski shops. One of my sisters had a nice warm pair of tights that she got when she was on a cross- country ski team. That was quite a few years ago, so I don't know if they are still being made, but my youngest daughter still uses them and they must be twenty years old!

The other possibility (and what I do) is to wear stretch pants with tall (knee) socks over them under my dresses. I would NEVER wear stretch pants for outerwear, but they make good long underwear! And this arrangement has the advantage that when you get holes in the heels, you only have to replace the socks, not the pants!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 25, 2001.

a few years ago i got some at either american eagle or eddie bauer, but actually my mom bought them for christmas because they were too expensive for me.

i bought a pair at our "lands end outlet" called the bargain nook for a buck, so know lands end used to carry them

i usually buy $10 stretch pants at target, in black, green and maroon, and wear them as tights all winter. they are comfy, don't ride up or pull down in the crotch, and you can wear them as pants. plus, as silly as it sounds, it is fun to match the socks and pants to the clothes separately...my maroon wool sweater, with my black skirt, maroon leggings, black socks....

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.nwt), November 25, 2001.