Sock

For other uses, see Socks (disambiguation).

Socks being worn on feet.

A hand knitted sock.

A sock is a knitted or woven type of hosiery garment for enclosing the human foot. Socks are designed to:

• ease chafing between the foot and footwear
• protect footwear by absorbing perspiration and dead skin lost from the foot
• provide comfort
• be fashionable
• keep the feet warm

Sock is also the term given to the layer of leather or other material covering the insole of a shoe. When only part of the insole is covered, leaving the forepart visible, this is known as a half-sock. Socks can be used as gags in some cases. The average foot has 250,000 sweat glands, and the average pair gives off about half a pint (almost 250 mL) of perspiration per day. Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can wick the perspiration away. In cold environments, socks help to retain/remove the moisture given off by one's feet, decreasing the risk of frostbite. There was a shoe worn by Roman comic actors called soccus in Latin. It was a slipper and fitted loosely so it could be taken off quickly.

History

12th century cotton sock, found in Egypt. The knitter of this sock started work at the toe and then worked up towards the leg. The heel was made last and then attached to loops formed while knitting the leg. This ingenious practice allowed the heel to be easily replaced when it wore out

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. The 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 1,000 AD, socks became a symbol of wealth among the nobility. From the 16th century onwards, 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 color variety of sock choices can be any color that the designers intend to make the sock upon its creation. Sock 'coloring' can come in a wide range of colors. Sometimes art is also put onto socks to increase their appearance. Different sports generally brandish different sock colors and there are also sometimes each sock will have a different color (for some significance or another). Colored socks may be a key part of the uniforms for sports, allowing players teams to be distinguished when only their legs are clearly visible.

Styles

Toe socks.

Socks are manufactured in a variety of lengths. Bare or ankle socks extend to the ankle or lower and are often worn casually or for athletic use. Bare socks are designed to create the look of "bare feet" when worn with shoes. Knee-high socks are sometimes associated with formal dress or as being part of a uniform, such as in sports or as part of a school's dress code. Over-the-knee socks or socks that extend higher (thigh-high socks) are traditionally considered female garments.

A toe sock encases each toe individually the same way a finger is encased in a glove, while other socks have one compartment for the big toe and one for the rest, like a mitten – most notably Japanese tabi. Both of these allow one to wear flip-flops with the socks. Leg warmers, which are not typically socks, are commonly replaced with socks in northern regions of Scandinavia due to the cold climate.

Sock sizes

See also: Shoe size

Knee high white socks, usually used with the school uniform.

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 the person's shoe size; for example, a foot that has a shoe size of 9 would require a sock sized 8-10.

In some parts of the world socks are sized differently than shoes. The chart below gives size equivalences, although there is no indication as to which of the numerous sizing systems it represents:

Sock size	Men's shoe size	Women's shoe size
9-11	3-1/2 to 8-1/2	4 to 10
10-13	6-1/2 to 12	8-1/2 to 12-1/2

Other less common sock sizes are 10-15, 13-15, and 13-16.

Uses

Socks have a variety of uses. They can be used for sock puppets, slingshots, and, of course, footwear. A sock is very comfortable, especially when new, and it provides protection from blisters, and athelete's foot.

A sock puppet is when you use the sock as a puppet by placing your hand where the foot would go, and putting your thumb and four fingers in a position that resembles a mouth. Eyes, and other accessories are optional.

A slingshot sock is made by tying the sock around a y-shaped stick or rod and placing an object in the center. Pull back, and let her fly.

See also

• Stocking
• Beoseon (traditional Korean socks)
• Tabi (traditional Japanese socks)
• Toe socks
• Sock puppet