KENYA STANDARD      KS 584 -1: 2020  
ICS59.080.30  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockings — Specification  
 
Part 1:  
 
School stockings  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 20 20 Fourth  Edition , 2020 
 
 
  KS 584 -1: 20 20 
 
ii  © KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved  TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
 
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute  
Egerton University — Department of Applied Community Development Studies  
Consumer Information Network  
Sumitomo  
Pest Control Board of Kenya  
Spin Knit Ltd.  
Alpha Knits Ltd.  
Kamyn Industries Ltd.  
Sun Flag Textile & Knitwear Mills Ltd.  
Ken Knit (K) Ltd.  
Spinners & Spinners Ltd.  
Kenya Textile and Training Institute  
Multifacet Consulting Ltd.  
Radbone Clark (K) Ltd.  
Consumer Information Network  
Topserve  Ltd. 
Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation — Department of Malaria Control  
VestergaardFrandsen (EA) Ltd.  
Ministry of Defense Research & Development  
Fashion Council of Kenya  
The National Training Institute (NITA)  
Kenyatta University  
Ministry of Health  
Kenya Association of Manufacturers  
Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
 
 
  
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed.  Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome.  
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 20 20 
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of 2001  of the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 25 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Sta ndards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director.  
  KENYA STANDARD KS 584 -1: 20 20 
ICS59.080.30  
© KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved    iii  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockings — Specification  
 
Part 1:  
 
School stockings  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office: P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi -00200, Tel.: (+254  020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020)  604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org, Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region     Lake Region    Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100   P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100        P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -20100  
Tel.: (+254  041) 229563, 230939/40  Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396        Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254  041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
 
  KS 584 -1: 20 20 
 
iv  © KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved   
Foreword  
 
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Knitted Fabrics under the guidance of the 
Standards Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of Kenya Bureau of Standards.  
 
Apart from fashion changes, stockings have be come a necessary component of uniforms in several institutions, 
especially schools. It is with this view  that this standard was revised  so as to specify and harmonize size 
dimensions of stockings. The standard also stipulates the technical requirements of raw materials used in the 
manufacture of stockings and their performance requirements when worn as part of uniforms or casually.  
 
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the Third edition ( KS 584 -1:2017 ) which has been technically revised.  
  
During the preparation of this standard, references were made to the following documents:  
 
MS 2.57, Specification for rib -knitted gents’ nylon stockings.  
 
MS 2.54, Specification for rib -knitted cotton stockings.  
 
IS 833, Specification for gents’ rib -knitted nylon sto ckings.  
 
KS 08 -415, Glossary of terms relating to hosiery.  
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance received from these sources.  
 
  
KENYA STANDARD        KS 584 -1: 20 20 
 
 
© KEBS 2017 — All rights reserved    1 Stockings — Specification  
 
Part 1:  
 
School stockings  
 
1 Scope  
 
This Kenya Standard specifies requirements and test methods for school   stockings knitted in plain, rib or 
fancy stitches.  
 
2 Normative references  
 
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
KS 2659,  Packaging of textile products — Code of practice  
 
KS ISO 105 B02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B02: Colour fastness to artificial light: Xenon arc 
fading lamp test  
 
KSISO 105 B04, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part B04: Colour fastness to artificial weathering: 
Xenon arc fading lamp test  
 
KS ISO 105 C10, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C10: Colour fastness to washing with soap or 
soap and soda  
 
KS ISO 105 E01, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E01: Colour fastness to water  
 
KS ISO 105 E04, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E 04: Colour fastness to perspiration  
 
KS ISO 105 -N02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part N02: Colour fastness to bleaching: Peroxide  
 
KS ISO 105 X12, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing  
 
KS ISO 139 ,Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing  
 
KS ISO 1833  (all parts), Textiles — Quantitative chemical analysis  
 
KS ISO 7211 -5 ,Textiles —woven fabricsconstuction  — Determination of linear density of yarn rem oved from 
fabric.  
 
KS ISO 2061 ,Textiles — Determination of twist in yarns — Direct counting method  
 
KS ISO 2062, Textiles — Yarns from packages — Determination of single -end breaking force and elongation 
at break using constant rate of extension (CRE) tester  
  
2  © KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved  KS ISO 2076, Textiles — Man-made fibres — Generic names  
 
KS ISO 3758, Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols  
 
KS ISO 6938, Textiles — Natural fibres — Generic names and definitions  
 
KS ISO 8388, Knitted fabrics — Types — Vocabulary  
 
KS ISO 11827,  Textiles  — Composition testing — Identification of fibres  
 
KS ISO 14362 -1, Textiles — Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo 
colorants — Part 1: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants accessible with and without extracting the  
fibres  
 
KS ISO 14362 -3, Textiles -— Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo 
colorants — Part 3: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants, which may release 4 -aminoazobenzene  
 
KS ISO 16373 -1, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 1: General principles of testing coloured textiles for dyestuff 
identification  
 
KS ISO 16373 -2, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 2: General method for the determination of extractable 
dyestuffs including allergenic and carcinogenic dyestuffs (method using pyrid ine-water)  
 
KS ISO 16373 -3, Textiles — Dyestuffs — Part 3: Method for determination of certain carcinogenic dyestuffs 
(method using triethylamine/methanol)  
 
KS ISO 16549, Textiles — Unevenness of textile strands — Capacitance method  
 
KS 415 ,Glossary of terms relating to hosiery  
 
KS 529 Specification for elastic flat braids  
 
KS 1113 -1, Specification for staple spun yarns — Part 1: Cotton yarns  
 
KS 1113 -2, Specification for staple spun yarns — Part 2: 100% wool (worsted) yarns  
 
KS 1113 -3, Specification for staple spun yarns — Part 3: Polyester/cellulosic blended yarns  
 
KS 1113 -4, Specification for staple spun yarns — Part 4: Polyester/wool blended yarns  
 
KS 1114 -1, Specification for textured filament yarns — Part 1: Polyester yarns  
 
KS 1114 -2,Specification f or textured filament yarns — Part 2: Polyamide yarns  
 
KS 1829, Labelling of products — General requirements  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
 
For the purposes of this stan dard, the definitions given in KS 415 the following definitions shall apply:  
 
3.1 
foot length  
  
© KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved    3 the distance from the tip of the toe to the apex of the heel gore line, that is the distance between C and O 
Figure 1  
Rib length  
 
3.2 
leg length  
 
the distance from the top of the stocking to the apex of the heel gore line, that is the between  A and O Figure 
1 
 
3.3 
batch of stockings  
more than one pair of stockings of the same type and size packed together  
 
3.4 Stocking  –These are socks whose length goes up to or above the knee.  
 
4 Requirements  
 
4.1 Fibre composition and proportion  
 
4.1.1  The stocking shall be manufactured from yarns made from textile s fibres described in KS ISO 6938 
and KS ISO 2076.  
 
4.1.2  The fibre composition and proportion  shall be determined in accordance with KS ISO 11827 and KS 
ISO 1833 Parts, 1 to 28. Where  the yarn used is a blend of two or more fibres, the fibre composition shall be  
declared with a maximum tolerance of ± 5 % 
 
 
4.2 Yarns  
 
The yarns used to knit the stockings shall comply with the requirements of KS 1113 and KS  1114  including 
the following  
  
4.2.2 Breaking tenacity  
 
The breaking tenacity of the yarns used to knit the stocking , calculated as a ratio of the breaking strength to 
linear density in accordance with ISO 2062 shall be as given in Table 1 . 
4.2.2.1 Linear density  
 
The linear density to be used to calculate the breaking tenacity of t he yarn shall be determined from a yarn  
from the stocking in accordance with KS ISO 7211 -5. 
 
 
4.2.3 Elongation at break  
 
The elongation of the yarns when tested at break shall be as given in Table 1 . 
 
4.2.4 Yarn unevenness  
 
The yarn unevenness tested in accordance with 3yh shall comply with the  requirements of  
Table 2 . 
 
4.2.5 Twist   
4  © KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved   
4.2.5.1 Coefficient of variation  
 
The coefficient of variation, %  of the yarn twist shall not be more than 5% when tested in accordance with  
KS ISO 2061 . 
 
5 Manufacture of stockings  
 
5.1 Yarn  
 
5.1.1  Yarn for knitting and splicing  
 
The yarn used in knitting and splicing of stockings shall be of fibre and composition complying with the 
requirements of Table 1.  
 
 
 
Table 1 — Tenacity and elongation requirements of yarns for stocking  
 
S/N Yarn type Requirements  
 
Minimum tenacity g/tex  Elongation at break %, 
min. 
i) Nylon 6 and 6,6  35.0 30.0 
ii) Polyester  32.0 27.0 
iii) Wool  28.0 20.0 
iv) Acrylic  25.0 17.0 
v) Cotton  30.0 5.0 
vi) Blends (See note 1)   
vii) Elastic yarn for top portion of the 
sock  ˃ 450  
Test 
Method  KS ISO 2076,KS ISO 11827 and 
KS ISO 1833, Parts 
1,2,7,11,12,20,24 and 25 ISO  2062  ISO 2062  
 
NOTE  The ratings of minimum tenacity (g/tex) and elongation at break (per cent) of the fibre blended yarn used in the 
blended stocking , shall not be less than those of the fibre component in the blend whose yarn has a lower r ating in 
accordance with this Table  i.e. in a nylon/wool or polyester/wool blend, the minimum tenacity and elongation at break of 
the yarn shall not be less than that of the woolen y arn as shown in this Table . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
© KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved    5  
Table 2 — Yarn unevenness  
 
S/N Yarn type Linear Density, in Tex  CV%, max . U%, max . 
 
i) Nylon [6;6,6]  10-70 3.5-0 2.8-0 
ii) Polyester  10-70 3-0 2.4-0 
iii) Acrylic  10-70 18-8 14.4-6.4 
iv) Wool  10-70 23.5 18.8 
v) Cotton  15-70 19-9 15.2-7.2 
vi) Polyester/Wool  10-70 23.5-14 18.8-11.2 
vii) Polyester/Cotton  10-70 15-12 12-9.6 
viii) Other Blends  10-70 23.5-12 18.8-9.6 
ix) Elastic Yarns  10-70 16-15 12.8-12 
 
 
 
Figure 1 — Stocking  
 
6  © KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved   
5.1.2  Elastic yarn  
 
The elongation of elastic yarn or covered rubber thread used for laying in the top portion of a finished stocking 
shall be not less than 450 %.  It shall also conform to other relevant requirements stipulated in KS 529.  
 
5.2 Stocking  
 
5.2.1  The stocking shall be knitted on circular machines. The top of the stocking shall be knitted in rib or 
plain stitches with covered rubber thread or any other suitable elastic yarn laid -in; and the leg and instep shall 
be knitted in plain, rib or fancy stitches dependin g on the type of stocking.  
 
5.2.2  The top portion of the stocking with covered rubber thread or any other suitable elastic yarn shall be 
not less than 25 mm.  
 
5.2.3  In case the covered rubber thread or any other suitable elastic yarn is not used at the top  of the 
stocking the top portion shall be knitted in a rib of not less than 80 mm and it shall be extended proportionally 
according to stocking sizes.  
 
5.2.4  The heel and toe portions of the stocking shall be knitted in plain stitches with splicing. The sp licing 
shall be uniform throughout and spliced portions free from creases and/or folds.  
 
5.2.5  The stocking shall be securely joined at the toe. The joining shall be elastic, smooth and free from 
knots. The joining shall not give way when the stocking is s tretched to the full extent of its stretchability of the 
stocking.  
 
5.2.6  The stocking shall be free from manufacturing defects, such as mends, ladders, improper splicing and 
both dyeing and finishing defects.  
 
5.2.7  The dyed stocking shall conform to colo ur fastness requirements as given in Table 3. 
 
Table 3 — Colour fastness requirements  
 
 
S/N Agency  
 Numerical r ating (min.)  Test method  
i) Washing  Colour change  4 KS ISO 105 C10(A1)  
Staining  4 
ii) Perspiration  Acid 3 KS ISO 105 E04  
Alkali  3 
iii) Rubbing  Dry 4 KS ISO 105 X12  
Wet 4 
iv) Peroxide washing  4 KS ISO 105 N02  
v) Light  5 KS ISO 105 B02  
 
 
6 Defects  
 
The stocking  shall be free from knitting defects as specified in KS 207 , Part 2. 
 
  
© KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved    7 7 Restricted colourants  
 
7.1 Dyed stocking  shall be free from colorants listed in KS ISO 14632, Parts 1 and 3 and KS ISO 16373, 
Parts 2 and 3.  
 
7.2 Dyestuffs shall be identified in accordance with KS ISO 16373 -1. 
 
8 Size 
 
8.1 The stockings shall be grouped into five different sizes as follows : 
 
a) Small  
 
b) Medium  
 
c) Large  
 
d) Extra large  
 
e) Free 
 
 
8.3 The size of stockings shall be determined by foot length and leg length dimensions given in Table 4. 
 
8.4 The dimensions of both foot length and leg length shall be taken in accordance with Annex A. 
 
8.5 The free size shall be grouped further and designated numerical sizes whose size dimensions shall 
not be less than those specified in Table 4, item v). The dimensions of subsequent sizes shall be at intervals 
of at least 30 mm.  
 
 
Table 4 — Size dim ensions  
 
S/N Size of stocking  Foot length , 
(mm)  Leg length , 
(mm)  Test method  
i) Small  100 - 125 270 - 295  
 
Annex A  ii) Medium  130 - 155 325 - 350 
iii) Large  160 - 185 380 - 410 
iv) Extra large  190 - 215 435 - 460 
v) Free Above 220  Above 465  
 
9 Marking  
 
Each pair of stocking shall be marked with the following information;  
 
a) name/trade mark of the manufacturer ; 
 
b) Fibre composition and proportion ; 
 
c) size designation in accordance with KS ISO 8559 -2 
  
8  © KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved  d) care instructions in accordance with KS  ISO 3758 ; 
 
e) 
f) country of manufacture.  
 
10 Packaging  
 
Stockings shall be packaged in accordance with KS 2659  and as follows:  
 
10.1 Each pair of stockings shall be folded properly at the heel gore line anal at the leg so as to form three 
layers. Each  folded pair shall be wrapped or placed in a suitable packaging material.  
 
10.2 A batch of pairs of stockings or several batches shall be placed in a  suitable packaging  material  of 
suitable size, which shall be secured properly.  
 
10.3 Each package containi ng a batch of stockings or several batches shall have the following information, 
which shall be indicated on the package, the swing ticket and/or accompanying documents:  
 
a) Name/trade mark  of the manufacturer;  
 
b) Number of pairs in each batch;  
 
c) Total n umber of  batches in the package; and  
 
d) Criteria of conformity  
 
10.4 Each pair of stockings shall co mply with  any of  the requirements of this s tandard.  
 
 
   
© KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved    9  
 
Annex A  
(normative)  
 
Measurement of stockings for size determination  
 
 
A.1 Condition of stocking  
 
Before foot length and/or leg length dimensions are taken, the stockings shall be conditioned in accordance 
with KS ISO 139. Take the measurements in an atmosphere similar to that used for conditioning.  
 
A.2 Sample stocking preparation  
 
Take the conditioned sampl e stocking to be measured.  Lay it flat on a smooth table. Remove by hand all 
creases and wrinkles without stretching the stockings.  
 
A.3 Measurements  
 
A.3.1  Take the dimensions of both the foot length and leg length as defined in 3.1, 3.2 and Figure 1, both 
measurements to be taken correct to the nearest 5 mm.  
 
A.3.2  The pair shall be in conformity with the requirements of Table 3 if none of the values as determined in 
A.3.1 varies from the specified value by more than the specified tolerance.  
 
 
 
 
 
   
10  © KEBS 2020 — All rights reserved