Sokkokoelmat

Sokkokoelmat is a Finnish term that refers to collections of socks and hosiery, typically housed in museums, archives, fashion houses, and private collections. The term is a compound of sokko (sock) and kokoelma (collection).

In practice, sokkokoelmat cover objects such as hand-knitted and machine-made socks, stockings, and garters, spanning historical periods and geographic regions. They document changes in materials (wool, cotton, silk, synthetic fibers), production techniques (knitting, weaving, seam construction), and decorative traditions (cuffs, ribbing, patterns, embroidery).

Scholars use sokkokoelmat to study everyday life, trade, technology, and fashion. They inform conservation science, textile dating, and exhibition design. This type of collection may include loose specimens, mounted displays, pattern books, and production samples, as well as contextual documentation like manufacturer records, catalogs, and provenance notes. Access and public engagement: Some sokkokoelmat are publicly exhibited; many are kept in storage with digitized catalogs or online databases. Researchers may request access to items or high-resolution images for study. Related topics include textiles, hosiery history, and museum collection management.