History

Socks have evolved over the centuries from the earliest models which were made from animal skins gathered up and tied around the ankles. In the 8th century BC, the ancient Greeks wore socks from matted animal hair for warmth. Romans also wrapped their feet with leather or woven fabrics. By the 5th Century AD, socks called ‘puttees’ were worn by holy people in Europe to symbolise purity. By 1000 AD, socks became a symbol of wealth among the nobility. From the 16th Century on, an ornamental design on the ankle or side of a sock has been called a clock.

The invention of a knitting machine in 1589 meant that socks could be knitted six times faster than by hand. Nonetheless, knitting machines and hand knitters worked side by side until 1800.

The next revolution in sock production was the introduction of nylon in 1939. Until then socks were commonly made from silk, cotton and wool. Nylon was the start of blending two or more yarns in the production of socks, a process that still continues.

Fabrication

Socks can be created from a wide variety of materials. Some of these materials are cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefin, polypropylene, or spandex. To get an increased level of softness other materials that might be used during the process can be silk, linen, cashmere, or mohair. The colour variety of sock choices can be any colour that the designers intend to make the sock upon its creation. Sock 'colouring' can come in a wide range of colours. Sometimes art is also put onto socks to increase their appearance. Different sports generally brandish different sock colours and there are also sometimes each sock will have a different colour (for some significance or another). Coloured socks may be a key part of the uniforms for sports, allowing players teams to be distinguished when only their legs are clearly visible.

Sock sizes

Sock sizes can vary from 8.5 - 11.5. Sock lengths vary, from ankle-high to thigh level and much in between. In the UK, a sock's size is the similar to that of a person's foot; for example, a foot that has a shoe size of 9 would require a sock sized 8-10.