The origin of socks is a mystery but it is most likely directly related to the history of hand knitting which has been practised since ancient times. Israel, Jordan, Syria and North Africa have been cited by some as places of origin for the art of hand knitting but knitted socks have been discovered in Egyptian tombs dated between the 3rd and 6th century.
The earliest form of knitting is confined to making woven leg coverings, socks and women’s stockings. It was only much later that garments such as cardigans, sweaters, skirts and blouse were hand-knitted.

The origin of socks is a mystery but it is most likely directly related to the history of hand knitting which has been practised since ancient times. Israel, Jordan, Syria and North Africa have been cited by some as places of origin for the art of hand knitting but knitted socks have been discovered in Egyptian tombs dated between the 3rd and 6th century.

The earliest form of knitting is confined to making woven leg coverings, socks and women's stockings. It was only much later that garments such as cardigans, sweaters, skirts and blouse were hand-knitted.

The first knitting machine in England was invented by a clergyman named William Lee in 1589. A full-fashioned machine invented by William Cotton in 1864 was an improved version based on Lee's design. Gradually, knitting was taken over by guild organised cottage industry.

In the 19th century power was applied to the knitting machines and simultaneously circular-knitting machines appeared on the scene. Women's stocking when knitted on original machines were a straight knitted tube, because stitches could not be added or dropped on circular knitting machine. So these products were known as hosiery. The word ‘hosiery' is derived from the old English hose, which means a covering for the leg. Now seamless stockings are knitted even on circular machines, developed in the mid-19th century. To start with cotton, wool, silk and later rayon yarns were used for making hosiery, but with the emergence of nylon in the 1940s women preferred nylon hose, because they could be permanently formed into the desired shape by heating. The use of nylon also improved the fit of hosiery due to stretchability of nylon fabrics.

Subsequently, in Great Britain, hosiery came to be associated with all types of machine-knit garments, now called knitwear. In United States they still call stockings, socks, panty hose, and tights as hosiery products. Between 1880 to 1910 knitwear was mainly a female fashion, later knitted pullovers, cardigans, skirts, men's underwear, sportswear and swimwear became popular. Developments in the 20th century increased the production speeds of the machines and offered wider choice to pattern the knitted fabrics. Now computer controlled knitting machines have come on the scene, which are highly versatile. Knitted garments have now become every day dress.

Why is black the dominant colour for men’s socks? 

    In the eighteenth century both men and women wore stockings usually white made of silk or wool. It was the Victorians in the late 19th century who insisted than men should wear dark socks especially after the death of Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband in 1861. A long period of mourning followed which, in addition to the industrial revolution, made black the most prominent color in men’s wardrobes.

About Stockings 

    Stockings mostly used in recent days are made of materials of enforced elasticity mixing nylon and elastic spandex. They cover the legs in elasticity and give soft touch while accentuating the beauty of female legs. The kinds of stockings by types are panties stockings, band stockings, pantaloon stocking and under ankle stockings (ankle socks) and outer stockings (outer socks).

How to wash stockings 

    When washing stockings, wash them separately from other laundry without using bleach. Soak them in water and wash them lightly with hands in using mild detergent. Where possible, wash manually. When using washing machines, cover them in net to ptotect against stretching and wear & tear.
When rinsing, soak them in warm water with several drops of vinegar to get rid of bad odours while keeping the elasticity. Thickness of stockings Thickness of stockings are indicated by Denier, in general, by D. One denier indicates the yarn of 9000m of 1g in weight. Higher denier represents thicker yarn.
When selecting the thickness of stockings, refer the denier expressed in packing. In general, fine stockings has 13-18 D and the opaque stocking for students are 40 or 70 to 80 D. Thickness of stockings relates with the fashionableness. Lower denier gives light feeling and goes well with full-dress style. Higher denier offers urban sense in mating with light and semi-dress style. For those who have thick legs, it is better to choose semi-transparent stocking showing the lines of legs instead of ones in lower denier.

The story of Garters 

    Garters and suspenders had been used with socks since the end of the 12th century. In beginning use, they were used in men's hoses in form of tights but they came to have the decorative feature as the socks became the part of the outer clothes. There are various kinds such as ribbon style knotting outer knees, taped-style, fixed-style with buckles and crossed-style with long cords and laced-styles with sumptuous edge decoration. In the 19th century, the long trousers were the norm for men and garters became unnecessary.
For women, garters continue to be a favourite fashion accessory. Hidden under long skirts, they are decorated by sumptuous laces. From the mid 19th century, elastic hooked-style garters were used following the introduction of Indian rubber. By the 20th century, garter with the clips attached in the lower part of corset and the garter belt attached by suspenders of socks were the rage. After the 19602, panties stocking gained popularity and garters' use were reduced.

The story of Panty Stockings

    Weaved to the waist, they are also called as pantyhose. Originally used for gymnasts’ clothings, the invention of mini-skirts in the 1960s ensured their rise to prominence as an essential clothing for women. By adoption of nylon-processed yarn, the various kinds of motifs, colours and patterns became possible with over 400-needle knitting machine. Panty stockings are weaved by 360-needle knitting machine.

Why are Christmas gifts placed in socks? 

    The story goes back to the time of Bishop Nicholas of Turkey around BC 4C. There lived three daughters of noble birth who were so poor that they could not marry. Bishop Nicholas was willing to help them prepare enough dowry for marriage. But he wanted to do it secretly, so he dropped the piece of gold through the chimney of their house. The piece of gold landed in one of the socks hooked near the fireplace. This, it seems, is the beginning of the Christmas custom of putting presents into socks.