“Clouded” Cotton Stockings

The term "clouded" in the 18th century is found in reference to stockings as well as textiles.  It seems to describe a weave consisting of two or more colored yarns when woven together creates a "mottled" effect. Descriptions of “clouded” stockings show up occasionally in runaway accounts and ads.  In the Virginia Gazette the following ads appeared.
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Chester, December 24, 1765

Sixteen dollars reward, Last Night broke out of the “Goal” of this County…….Thomas Caldwell, about 5 Feet 10 Inches high, of sandy Complexion, wears his Hair, tied behind and Had on a Sailor’s blue Pea Jacket, Petticoat Trowsers, and a Pair of clouded Stockings……….
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Virginia Gazette February 14, 1751

He serv’d his time on Rappahannock River, and had when he went away a coarse blue cloth coat, lin’d with coarse red shalloon, a pair of buck-skin breeches, a pair of old dim, and a pair of light colour’d ditto, a green waistcoat much worn, and white, flat, eight square metal buttons of two sorts, and bound when new with green cord, whereof there is some remains yet, a pair of blue and white clouded yarn stockings, a pair of scotch shoes new soled, a new castor hat, and several other cloaths:

• Available in the mixed blue & white only.
• One size fits most.