Glossary Of Hosiery Terms
Thread (pulled)
Common problem resulting in damage to the hosiery. It occurs when hosiery fabric comes into contact with a rough object or surface. Either individual filaments in the yarn or, in a severe case, the whole yarn can be pulled away from the surface of the knitted fabric. In a mild form the result is small fabric imperfections sometimes called snags or threads. In severe form the pulled thread can cause damage to the fabric and possible laddering.
Tights
One piece hosiery in which the two legs are joined at the top via a kind of built-in brief section. In the USA, tights are called pantyhose, while the term tights is reserved for something altogether more opaque.
Torque
A term applied to a type of nylon yarn which has been through processing to introduce a high level of twist. This creates a yarn with some recovery but without “bulk” associated with texturised yarns.
A style made from these yarns is sometimes called Voile. The fabrics made from Torque yarns have excellent sheerness for a given denier and bright surface appearance. However the overall cling properties in wear are limited and multiple sizes are needed to get a good fit.
U seam
A description given to the simplest possible body seam to produce a pair of tights. The letter “U” simply describes the shape of the seam.
Ultra sheer
Very fine hosiery, generally of less than 10 denier.
Under welt
The band of fabric sometimes knitted beneath the double fabric of the stocking top (welt) is called the under welt. It can also be introduced as a decorative feature especially if printed.
Voile
Word adopted by the knitting industry from the weaving industry. (See Torque)
Waist cincher
Somewhere between a girdle and very deep suspender belt with excellent waist-shaping properties. Occasionally wrongly referred to as a “clincher” but we know better!
Welt
As a term specific to stockings it describes the double thickness at the stocking top used to take the suspender button/clasp.
Yarn
The thread used to make hosiery. Most yarns are nylon, or a nylon/Lycra mix, but there are plenty of exceptions! See also Fibre content.
Zokki
Term originating from Japanese hosiery industry, where it describes a hosiery style made with covered elastane on every course. It is very similar to Lycra 3D.
