Knitted socks for men are not just a fashion accessory. They are as much important to attire as well as to foot health. Since time immemorial, knitting socks is one of the most common and popular hobby in every households. Today, not only the hand knitted socks are available, but also the market is flooded with a vast array of socks ranging from men's cotton dress socks to athletes socks, ankle socks, boot socks etc. The right seasonal knitted socks are a great comfort and very cozy to wear. For summers the perfect choice is to go in for natural cotton socks. This is because, such fiber soaks sweat and thus keeps your feet cool. To beat the cold winters, woolen socks are just the right option. Polyester is also a good option in cold regions. In other words, to fight the cold winds in winters thick knitted fabric is just apt while thin knitted socks are perfect for summer season.

Yarns used in making knitted socks
Knitted Socks are available in distinct yarn types like:

• Cotton
• Nylon
• Spandex
• Acrylic
• Polyester
• Wool

Woolen socks cover a wide varieties of wool like merino wool, acrylic, mohair, angora etc. Wool is always the best choice for sock knitting. It is breathable, comfortable and durable. Most commercial sock yarns are a wool and nylon blend. They are spun very tightly which add to the wearability and they are machine washable. Cotton knitted socks feel and look great. There are blends of cotton socks with other fibres.

Types of mens knitted socks
There are four major types of mens socks:

• Dress socks: Meant to be worn with business suits during the day or for special occasions. They are a flat, lightweight knit. They may have sheer panels, especially for warm-weather use.
  
  
• Casual socks: Meant to be worn with sports wear and in less formal situations. These socks are made from bulky yarns like wool or acrylic, or from cotton or blended fabric. Casual socks normally are calf length.
  
  
• Sport socks: These socks are usually over-the-calf lengths. They contain higher percentages of spandex to help support muscles and relieve fatigue and strain.
  
  
• Work socks: They are designed for durability and hard wear.

Color and style options for mens knitted socks
Color choice for socks is very important as improper color can spoil the whole look. Cool light shades like white or cream are just too good for summers. White is an all time favorite among men. Bright warm colors should be preferred in winters. Black colored socks is evergreen. Another good options are dark blue and brown colored socks. There are varieties of prints and designs. Anything from checks, stripes to plain colored knitted socks are available and can be chosen according to personal choice. Socks length for men vary from ankle-high to knee level.

Hand Knitted and Machine Knitted Socks
Socks are almost always knitted using a variety of yarns. The hand knitted socks are made using 4 short needles. They are both hand knitted and machine knitted. Socks are produced on specialist knitting machines with a circular head of needles. Many modern socks are produced with specialized shaping and materials to produce various special purpose socks like technical socks used in activities such as mountaineering. To maximize wear, socks are knitted at a tighter gauge than other garments. Generally, plain knit stitch also known as a stockinette stitch is used in the foot area and a rib stitch is used in the leg area. Some socks are made totally of rib stitch and this rib stitch is very stretchy, with the ability to return to shape.

Buying Tips

• Construction: Socks are knitted and this gives them stretch and the ability to conform to the foot and leg. As both the plain and rib stitches are simple knit constructions, the stitch can ravel out if a yarn is broken. While buying socks, always consider the following:
  • Look for loose threads, broken yarns, or holes that could start to run or ravel with wear.
    
    
  • Look for evenly knitted stitches on socks.
    
    
  • Look for a flat seam at the toe.
    
    
  • Both the toe and heel areas should be smooth, otherwise this might lead to irritation.
    
    
  • Check the ribbing at the sock's top. Socks that keep falling down are annoying.
    
    
  • Check the amount of stretch in the sock. It is very essential to see that both the body and the ankle areas of the sock will slide over the foot easily.
• Fiber content: Different fibers have different features. A buyer should well aware of the features involved in the various materials used in making socks.
  
  
• Finishes: Few finishes are applied to socks which perform important functions. For example:
  • Anti-static finishes are necessary on synthetic socks as they prevent trousers from clinging to the socks.
    
    
  • A more common finish for socks is to prevent the buildup of odor and bacteria.