Sock Stitch Formations

Stitch Counts

The structure of the sock fabric consists of loops arranged in rows and columns. A horizontal row of loops, produced by adjacent needles during the same knitting cycle, is known as a “course.” The “course count” is the number of courses per unit length (inches or centimeters). The vertical columns are known as “wales,” and the “wale count” is the number of wales per unit length.


 

Types of Stitches

The design of the sock and its fabric depends on the basic stitches that make up the product. Only three types of loops or stitches are possible in sock manufacturing: knit, tuck, and float. In addition, stitches can be transferred or split to create useful or aesthetic designs.