What is a Terry Loop?
Posted by New Zealand Natural Clothing on 20th Oct 2018
What is a Terry loop?
Terry Loops used as reinforcing by double loop cushioning in the Norsewear Foot Doctor sock
I thought my mum just bought me basic socks, "surprise"! They are actually special ones and now I know why she gets mad when I don't care for them or I lose them!
The evolution of sock knitting technology has kept up with everything else offering huge variants on a simple garment. The future will be A.I produced, individually tailored socks, from a foot scan off your phone, then shipped on a drone. This vision is at the top end of sock quality. I am sure with mass production still happening in lower wage or forced labour countries, there will be cheapies available for a while too!
Meanwhile, technology makes a mean sock you just have to choose a size, and its use, wisely!
Terry Loop
Terry Sole
Full Terry
That's some terminology we “Soxperts” bleat out.
Here's what we mean:
The outside of the sock is usually plain knit, and on the inside there are panels. The threads are pulled by terry jacks during the knitting process to form a loop between every stitch, (just like the surface of a towel) giving them a cushiony feel and air pockets that create insulation.
Moisture is wicked by these loops also, and the collection surface area has increased dramatically, just the way a towel works. In a sock, the wicked moisture will be wicked out of the inner to dissipate on the outer.
“Not all socks are created equal”
A good Terry Loop constructed sock can use blends of yarn or fibre from Cotton, Wool, Merino Fine wool or even some fantastic Possum Fibre. It's blended to the most basic nylon, or with hollow fibre synthetics that copy natures possum fur thermal management.
Our Summer work sock has used Fine Merino wool, Cotton, and Nylon for a cooler work sock in warmer climates. The sole, heel and toe have the Terry Loops (comfy as!).
Not all Terry Sole socks are thick work socks ether!
Here we have our Womens Health sock
Terrycloth
Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it:
"Terrycloth, terry cloth, terry cotton, terry towelling, terry, or simply towelling is a fabric with loops that can absorb large amounts of water. It can be manufactured by weaving or knitting. Towelling is woven on special looms that have two beams of longitudinal warp through which the filler or weft is fired laterally.
The word may derive from French tiré "drawn," past participle of tirer "draw out".
There are two types of terry fabrics:
Towel terry: This is a woven fabric with long loops that can absorb large amounts of water. Its content is usually 100% cotton, but may sometimes contain polyester.
French terry: This is a fabric, used in men's, women's and children's clothes. One of its sides is flat, while the other side is with cross loops. It can be 100% cotton or be made from a variety of fibres, sometimes with spandex (also known as elastane or lycra). It is often warp knitted, and the term French Terry is colloquially used for all warp knitted Terry.
It is the length of loops that determine how much fluid is absorbed by the cloth as longer loops provide more surface area to absorb and come in contact with the fluid."
We hope there is a better understanding of the importance of Terry Loops in our socks
Feel free to get in touch with us about any type of knitwear inquiries!
You can shop our socks here: https://nznaturalclothingshop.co.nz/socks/sox
Kind regards
Phil Grant
Director