what kind of skimmer do you have? Vacuum plates
are available for just about all the Hayward, Pentair, StaRite, Waterway, HydroSkim and some other skimmers. Using a vacuum plate will allow you to put a sock over the skimmer basket and then the plate sits on top of the basket and you attach the hose to it.

The only other possiblity is to use one of the inline 'leaf catchers' used for suction side cleaners and put a sock in that basket (but be aware that they are not cheap!)