A knitted stocking has a sole region which has first and second massage zones 7, 8, each with a plurality of mutually spaced, integrally knitted protrusions greater than 0.5 mm in height (preferably 0.6 to 2 mm) and projecting inwards towards the sole of the foot in use. The first massage zone 7 presses against a ball region and the second massage zone 8 acts on a lateral plantar region of the foot, when worn. The stocking helps blood circulation in the sole. The two zones may be joined (fig 5) or separated (fig 6). The foot portion of the stocking may be a circularly knitted sleeve with laid in portions of courses of elastomeric yarn. The yarn blend may comprise elastomeric fibre, protein monomer based fibers and cotton based fibres, to absorb sweat and reduce static electricity. The stocking may be in tights with a waistband cuff comprising two knitted layers in the form of a flattened tube with a knitted attachment course attaching the cuff to a leg portion. A compression tube (which may be a knitted stocking leg or tights), may compresses the leg, providing a pressure gradient which monotonically reduces along the leg.
