True SmartKnitKIDS pros out there know about the amazing differences between our seamless socks and other socks that claim to be seamless. But, we know there are some rookies out there, too, so we thought it was about time for a quick refresher on the seamless playbook – just in time for Back to School shopping!
There is more than one way to knit a sock! Truly. But, most don’t claim to be seamless. Of the ones that do, some of them are just that – a claim. Let’s break them down.
Smooth or Hand-linked Seams
First up is a smooth or hand-linked seam. This sock really does have a seam even though the seam is a lot more comfortable than regular sock seams. The seam is created by linking together both sides of the sock to fuse together the toe of the sock. The process is done very carefully to ensure that the resulting seam is as flat as possible. But, the most seam-sensitive among us can still feel that pesky seam. It’s not truly seamless.
This is an example of a handlinked seam. Notice you can still see the seam line on the toe.
Here is the handlinked seam turned inside out. It is better than a traditional sock, but still has a seam line.
Here is an example of a smooth seam. It is very faint, but you can still make out the seam line.
And this is what your toes would feel. This is the inside of a sock with smooth seams.
Truly Seamless
To make a sock that is truly seamless you have to start at the toe. Then there is nothing to sew or fuse together. No seams! SmartKnitKIDS seamless socks are knitted by starting at the toe and working up from there. It’s just like a caterpillar knitting a cocoon. No seam means no irritation.
This is one of our SmartKnitKIDS seamless socks. See how there is no irritating seam anywhere in the toe of the sock.
This is the same sock turned inside out. Again, it is easy to see that SmartKnitKIDS socks are truly seamless.
The difference between the seam types is clear when side by side.
Pressing Line
So some parents tell us that their child can still feel a “seam” on our SmartKnitKIDS socks. Are they feeling a seam on our seamless socks? The answer is no, although they may think they’re feeling one. Why? Because of what we call the pressing line. The pressing line is something that occurs in the “finishing” process of our socks. After the socks are knitted, they are pressed to give them a finished look. To some children, this line can feel like a seam and can be irritating. But, it can be easily washed out. It may take a few times through the wash, but a pressing line should diminish.
This sock is also a SmartKnitKIDS sock, but see how there is a very faint line around the toe. This sock has gone through the finishing process and has been pressed.
Here is a close up of the pressing line. As it sometimes resembles a seam, some people mistake it for a seam.
Cuff Only on Small and Medium
Okay, one more item for discussion. Many of our customers have noticed that the Smalls and Mediums have a woven cuff, but the larger sizes do not. Why is this? The main reason for this is due to the very small size of these two smallest socks, they require a little more special care in making them resulting in the cuff. The added bonus is that smaller children tend to have more trouble keeping their socks pulled up and the extra cuff helps with that.
This is the size difference between a small and an x-large. Notice how the small has a cuff.
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