Hosiery is a wardrobe staple, and at Hosieree.com, we have all the staples you need to make your wardrobe complete. However, have you ever wondered what goes into that favorite pair of hose? You might know your hosiery is of high quality, made in Europe, has features like tummy control or smoothing properties, and make your legs look fantastic, but what else is there to know? We want to dive a little bit into how hosiery is made and just how special those favorite pieces of yours are.
Generally, a pair of pantyhose is made from nylon fibers, but like the Ajour 20 Tights, it may include other fibers like cotton and elastane as well. Nylon yarn is made through a process called “melt spinning,” where adipic acid and hexamethylene diamine are polymerized to create a thick resin. The resin is cut into small chips before being heated and pressurized until they reach a syrup-like consistency. The material is then placed in the spinneret. Once in the spinneret, long strings of nylon will begin coming out from small holes in the machine, creating what will then be woven into nylon yarn.
Once created, the yarns will be stored on spools, which will be used in the knitting process. Using a circular knitting machine, a series of loops is created, quickly forming what will become a leg of hosiery. Modern knitting machines can create a single leg of hosiery in about 90 seconds. After the knitting process, the hosiery will then be seamed. The legs are seamed together to form a pair of pantyhose, and seams are placed to form the toes. Pantyhose with back seams will get those specific features during this part of the process as well.
After the hosiery is formed, it will be dyed a particular color. It is placed inside of a gentle net or basket, dipped into dye, and laid to dry until the dye has completely set. Sometimes, the hosiery may be dried in a gentle drying machine. Afterward, it is ready to be boarded, during which it is placed on a leg-like mold and heated to achieve that perfect silhouette shape.
Learning what goes into making a single pair of hosiery helps you gain a whole new appreciation for your favorite hose. If you’re still looking for that perfect pair, check out what we have at Hosieree.com today!