You can cut the foot off of an old pair of pantyhose and see if that will fit around your skimmer basket. I have not done that, but some forum members have said that is what they do. I don't know, but I wouldn't think that would catch as much as a skimmer sock because there are more holes in the pantyhose nylon than in the skimmer sock, but I might be wrong. It would at least be something to try if you have no place to buy the skimmer socks or if you do find some place to order them online, you could use the hose in the meantime.