Hosiery (Hosiery & Sock Knitting Machines)

The Used Machinery Hosiery & Sock Knitting Machines category covers all knitting machines for the production of socks and hosiery. Second hand hosiery knitting machines (used hosiery knitting machines) are available from a wide range of hosiery knitting machine builders.

The three types of hosiery knitting machines in increasing order of complexity are single cylinder machines (single cylinder hosiery machines or pantyhose machines and single cylinder sock machines).

Fine gauge seamless stockings, hold-ups and tights (pantyhose) are knitted in plain knit on single cylinder hosiery machines whereas traditional socks in rib or links-links (purl) structures are knitted on double cylinder sock machines. Modern sports and casual socks are usually knitted on single cylinder sock machines with sinkers. Formal rib socks are knitted on cylinder and dial rib machines, which are also known as true-rib machines.

On hosiery knitting machines gauge has traditionally been expressed as diameter and total number of needles in the machine, i.e. 3 1/2" x 400 needles. However, some manufacturers also express gauge in needles per inch or in both terms.

The world market for new hosiery knitting machines and sock knitting machines is completely dominated by Italy's Brescia based Lonati Group as is the market for used hosiery and sock knitting machines.

Brands on offer in the used sock knitting machines and used hosiery machines market include: Lonati, Sangiacomo, Conti, Matec, Rumi, Busi, Colosio, Nagata and Mertz.