Two-tone striped socks and knee highs: the secrets of manufacturing
In order for you to be elegant from head to toe, The Nines presents its two-tone striped socks and knee highs! The subtle combination of differently coloured mercerised cotton lisle and refined finishes will make you want to wear them for all occasions. Find out why these socks and knee highs are so comfortable to wear.
expertise from the piedmont
So that you know everything about the products you wear, we are unearthing the secrets of the careful manufacturing process used to make these socks and knee socks. Our partner workshop is an Italian family company that has been specialising in the manufacture of socks for more than six decades. This artisanal workshop produces only small quantities, in order to maintain high-end production that focuses on offering quality without compromise. Located in the Piedmont region, between Lake Maggiore and Milan, this workshop specialises in mercerised cotton lisle socks and knee highs.
the advantages of mercerised cotton lisle
The cotton used in the making of these socks and knee highs is 100% Egyptian cotton. It has been considered the best cotton in the world for several centuries. Soft, resistant and breathable, it is a renowned natural fibre. The length of its fibre is more than three centimetres, making it possible to obtain beautiful threads without sacrificing strength. This length also ensures unparalleled fineness and exceptional breathability. It is especially skin-friendly and you are able to sanitise it. The cotton we use is also certified by various labels: Traceability and Fashion, Fiducia nel Tessile, Tessile e Salute and Cotton For Life.
manufacturing mercerised cotton lisle and revealing signs of its quality
The manufacturing process consists of three essential steps. The Egyptian cotton is first washed of all its impurities and then combed so that only the longest fibres are retained. It is then mercerised. Mercerisation is the process in which cotton fibre is transformed into cotton lisle: a silky, fine, crisp and smooth fibre.
Unlike normal cotton socks, mercerised cotton lisle socks have a lustrous appearance and feature greater resistance to colour alteration and the many washes that the fabric will eventually undergo.
The socks and knee highs are then knitted using a machine that is slower but more precise and effective than an industrial machine. The fineness and precision of the points on the socks and knee highs are proof of this.
The machine creates a subtle pattern, with fine regular stripes. It has more needles, 240 instead of 200, than an industrial machine. This knitting process creates more links and more crispness with regards to the quality of the stripes.
This old-fashioned process guarantees a more resistant knit, especially on areas with more wear and tear (toes and heels, for example), a long life, softness and increased comfort, not to mention socks and knee highs of superior and durable quality overall.
Unlike normalcotton socks,mercerised cotton lisle sockshave a lustrous appearance and feature greater resistance to colour alteration and the many washes that the fabric will eventually undergo.
After the mercerisation process − necessary for obtaining
After the mercerisation process − necessary for obtaining a cotton worthy of the quality designation "mercerised cotton lisle" − and the knitting, it is time for the remeshing. The socks and knee highs are knitted in the form of long "tubes", one end of which must be closed to obtain the sock/knee high.
The purpose of remeshing is to eliminate any superfluous seams so as to obtain a smooth, crisp surface and optimal comfort.
Remeshing carried out by hand is a method that requires a lot of expertise and is a sign of the quality behind this artisanal product. Instead of traditional black socks, opt for a pair of two-tone striped socks in mercerised cotton lisle, paired with, for example, raw denim to break up that elegant look!
