A visit to our sock maker

We took a trip to the Leicestershire countryside to visit our English sock maker and capture some photos of their operation. Nestled in a quiet English village is a company with a rich history of making socks, dating back to the 19th century when hosiery was a key industry in Leicester.

Housed in a traditional Victorian factory laid out in a classic linear format, the workshop still features its original wooden floors, into which some of the older machines are bolted. 

Upon entering, you're greeted by the unmistakeable click and hum of the knitting machines. Socks are produced on a range of equipment: English-made Bentley Komets, Japanese Nagatas, and newer models from Brescia, Italy. The older machines—some with over 50 years of service—are still considered the workhorses of the industry. Their longevity is a testament to the durability of good engineering, the value of repairable tools, and a reminder that the traditional ways are often the best.

We use a high percentage of cotton (90%) in our socks, with just a small amount of nylon added for stability and comfort. This isn’t only to minimise the use of man-made fibres, but because it produces a superior product—one that feels good against the skin, launders well, and performs over time. All key tenets of the kind of products we aim to make and, in turn, offer to our customers.

Seeing the process first-hand reaffirms just how much skill goes into making a single pair of socks—not to mention the depth of knowledge required to operate the machinery, knowledge that can only be passed from one person to the next. Hosiery as an industry is nowhere near the size it once was, but we’re pleased to support time-honoured methods of manufacture in its traditional heartland.

 Explore the collection here.