Many people assume that tights sizing is checked only after dyeing and boarding.

In reality, size control begins much earlier.

Immediately after knitting, greige tights already enter the first stage of dimensional inspection.

Although the product has not yet reached its final appearance, monitoring its stretch characteristics at this stage helps ensure that the following production processes remain consistent.

This inspection is performed using the CETME stretch measuring system, which has become the industry reference for hosiery size control.

Unlike measuring a stocking in its relaxed state, the CETME system applies a standardized stretching force using a carriage weighing approximately 4.65 kg.

This allows every tightts to be measured under the same testing conditions, making the results consistent and comparable throughout production.

The purpose isn’t simply to record dimensions.

It’s to establish a common reference that manufacturers, brands and quality teams can all rely on.

For greige inspection, measurements can generally be divided into two categories:

• Horizontal stretch measurements (Width Stretch)
• Vertical stretch measurements (Length Stretch)

Although different areas of the stocking are evaluated, they are all measured using the same CETME system and the same standardized stretching force.

What changes is where the measurement is taken—not how it is measured.

Horizontal Stretch Measurements

The first group of inspections focuses on horizontal stretch measurements.

From top to bottom, we typically monitor five key locations:

• Waistband Cross Stretch
• Panty Cross Stretch
• Thigh Cross Stretch
• Knee Cross Stretch
• Ankle Cross Stretch

Although these measurements are taken at different positions, they all use the same CETME measuring method and the same standardized stretching force.

The measuring method remains the same. What changes is the measurement location and the aspect of fit that each location is intended to control.

The example below shows how Panty Cross Stretch is measured using the CETME system. The same measuring principle applies to all horizontal stretch measurements.

Why Does Each Measurement Matter?

Each measurement corresponds to a different part of the consumer’s wearing experience.

For example, Waistband Cross Stretch directly influences how the waistband performs once the tights are worn.

If the stretch value is too small, the waistband may feel overly tight and create uncomfortable digging.

If it is too large, the waistband may not provide sufficient support, allowing the tights to gradually slide down during wear.

Similarly, Panty Cross Stretch helps verify the comfort and functionality of the panty section.

For shaping or support tights, this measurement becomes even more important because it determines whether the intended compression and support can be delivered consistently.

The remaining horizontal measurements—including the thigh, knee and ankle—are monitored for the same reason: to ensure consistent fit and balanced stretch distribution throughout the leg.

Why Are the Waistband and Panty Measurements Different?

One important point to understand is that the greige product looks completely different from the finished pair of tights.

Immediately after knitting, each leg exists as an individual greige tights.

During the following sewing process, the panty section is opened and two greige stockings are joined together to create one complete greige pantyhose, ready for dyeing and the subsequent finishing processes.

To better visualize this transformation, the comparison below shows a single greige leg alongside one full pair of finished tights.

Understanding this manufacturing stage is essential because the measurements collected here are interpreted differently from those taken on the finished product.

For this reason, only the Waistband Cross Stretch and Panty Cross Stretch measured on the greige stocking represent half of the final circumference.

Measurements taken at the thigh, knee and ankle are not affected by the joining process, so they already correspond directly to those sections of the finished product.

Only the waistband and panty measurements need to be interpreted as half of the final circumference, which is an important distinction when reviewing greige inspection data.

Monitoring the Leg

The remaining three horizontal measurements focus on the leg itself:

• Thigh Cross Stretch
• Knee Cross Stretch
• Ankle Cross Stretch

Together, these measurements determine how naturally the tights conform to the wearer’s legs and play an important role in overall wearing comfort.

Among these three locations, the thigh is by far the most critical.

It represents the widest part of the leg for most consumers, making it the area most sensitive to insufficient stretch.

During production, a thigh stretch value that falls within the approved specification—or even toward the upper end of the approved tolerance—is generally acceptable.

However, if the measurement falls below the lower limit, consumers are much more likely to experience an uncomfortable feeling of tightness around the thigh, often leading to fit-related complaints.

The knee behaves differently.

Because tights are made from highly elastic materials, moderate variation at the knee rarely causes noticeable discomfort during wear.

As long as the measurement remains within the specified control range, consumer complaints are uncommon.

The ankle requires a different type of attention.

While this area is also highly stretchable, an ankle measurement that is too large can leave excess fabric around the ankle after the tights are worn.

This bulky appearance becomes especially noticeable when the top of the wearer’s shoes finishes around ankle height.

Instead of creating a clean silhouette, the excess fabric can bunch above the shoe opening, affecting both appearance and wearing comfort.

For this reason, controlling the upper limit of the ankle measurement is just as important as maintaining sufficient stretch.