FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Table of Contents

1. What is plating?
2. What are "sized socks" ?
3. What is the difference between sheer hosiery and socks" ?
4. What is a double cylinder knitting machine?
5. What does rib and frame stitch mean?
6. Why can't pantyhose be made that won't run?
7. What does the term gauge mean?
8. What is meant by colorfastness?
9. What is yarn numbering?

What is plating ?

Plating is the process of laying a yarn (usually a stretch yarn) behind the body yarn in a sock to provide a fabric that has stretch properties. Plating provides for a range of fit. Example: Size 9 to size 11 sock.

Yarn placement on the knitting needle illustrating plating.

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What are sized socks ?

Socks which are knit using only  hard yarn like cotton and other non stretch yarns which will only fit one size.

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What is the difference between sheer hosiery and socks?

Sheer hosiery is made on machines which have more than 300 knitting needles. Socks are made on machines with less than 300 knitting needles.

Two socks and a pair of pantyhose

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What is a double cylinder knitting machine?

A double cylinder knitting machine is where you have two knitting cylinders, one above the other. This allows the needles to transfer between the two cylinders to produce true rib and links-links sock fabric.

Double Cylinder Sock Machine	Close-up of Cylinders

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What does rib and frame stitch mean?

A rib stitch is formed on a double cylinder machine when the knitting needles are in the top cylinder. This forms the "low part" of a rib sock. A frame stitch is formed on a double cylinder machine when the knitting needles are in the bottom cylinder. This forms the "high part" of a rib sock.

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Why can't pantyhose be made that won't run?

They can!  But, no one could wear them. The hose would not have enough stretch to fit the wearer's body. The stitches would be too tight to allow for fit.                   

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What does the term gauge mean?

Gauge defines the size or thickness of the knitting elements (needles, sinkers, sliders etc.). It is computed by the number of needles in the cylinder and the distance between them.

Types of Different Knitting Elements

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What is meant by colorfastness?

Colorfastness is defined as the resistance of a material to change in any of its color characteristics, to transfer of its colorant(s) to adjacent materials, or both. This is a result of the exposure of the material to any environment that might be encountered during the processing, testing storage or use of the material. Thus colorfastness is a measurement of change in a textile color due to washing, rubbing, light, perspiration or chemical.

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What is yarn numbering? 

A way to denote the thickness and weight of the yarn. Click here to use our Online Yarn Calculator

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