Performance dress sock

Abstract

A sock having a low pressure area made of a first knit density and at least one high pressure area made of a variable knit density portion. The variable knit density has portions that are made of a second knit density greater than the first knit density. The at least one variable knit density portion is arranged transverse to an orientation of major strain. A sock may also have hydrophobic fibers located substantially across a surface of the sock adapted to be adjacent to skin when worn and hydrophilic fibers located substantially across the hydrophobic fibers and extending therefrom to form loop structures adapted for wicking moisture away from the hydrophobic fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sock comprising:
 a low pressure area comprising a first knit density; and   at least one high pressure area comprising a variable knit density portion, the variable knit density comprising portions having a second knit density greater than the first knit density,   wherein the at least one variable knit density portion is arranged transverse to an orientation of major strain.   
     
     
         2 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one variable density portion is disposed in a portion corresponding to a metatarsal region of a foot when worn. 
     
     
         3 . The sock of  claim 2 , wherein the variable density portion is arranged transverse to a line connecting a first metatarsophalangeal joint region to a fifth metatarsophalangeal joint region. 
     
     
         4 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the variable density portion comprises a pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The sock of  claim 4 , wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of polygons. 
     
     
         6 . The sock of  claim 1  further comprising a frictional surface adapted to be aligned along an orientation of minor strain. 
     
     
         7 . The sock of  claim 6 , wherein the frictional surface is disposed in a rear portion of the sock. 
     
     
         8 . The sock of  claim 6 , wherein the frictional surface comprises a plurality of strips. 
     
     
         9 . The sock of  claim 6 , wherein the frictional surface comprises at least one of urethane and silicone. 
     
     
         10 . The sock of  claim 1  further comprising a third knit density portion disposed proximate an area corresponding to an arch of a foot when worn, wherein the third knit density is greater than the first knit density. 
     
     
         11 . The sock of  claim 10 , wherein the third knit density portion extends around the sock and is configured to surround the arch area when the sock is worn. 
     
     
         12 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein the sock comprises a dress sock. 
     
     
         13 . The sock of  claim 1  further comprising synthetic polyester comprising activated charcoal. 
     
     
         14 . The sock of  claim 13 , wherein the activated charcoal comprises coffee grounds. 
     
     
         15 . A sock comprising:
 hydrophobic fibers disposed substantially across a surface of the sock adapted to be adjacent to skin when worn; and   hydrophilic fibers disposed substantially across the hydrophobic fibers and extending therefrom to form loop structures adapted for wicking moisture away from the hydrophobic fibers.   
     
     
         16 . The sock of  claim 15 , wherein the sock comprises a greater amount of hydrophilic fibers than hydrophobic fibers. 
     
     
         17 . The sock of  claim 16 , wherein the sock comprises about a 75/25 ratio of hydrophilic fibers to hydrophobic fibers. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a performance dress sock, the method comprising the steps of:
 robotically knitting a low pressure area of the sock at a first knit density; and   robotically knitting a high pressure area of the sock at a variable knit density, wherein the variable knit density comprises portions having a second knit density greater the first knit density, and wherein the at least one variable knit density portion is arranged transverse to an orientation of major strain.