Once spring rolls around, I am always eager to get back into skirts after a long and cold New England winter. But as spring tends to arrive in fits and starts -- with some warm days and some cool -- kneesocks have become a must-have in my wardrobe to keep my legs warm.

These stockings were inspired by an hourglass-like cable in Vogue Stitchionary Vol. 2, and are similarly named: "clessidra" means hourglass in Italian.

They were also fashioned after a lovely pair of leather boots that lace up the back, spotted in a Boston shop window this winter. When the crocuses start to bloom, leave the boots at home -- but don't forget your stockings!