Spinning Terms

Do you know what the yolk is? Check out this page for definitions of common spinning terms and phrases!

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

- A -

Angora

Contrary to popular belief, Angora is not the fleece of a goat but fine rabbit hair. Angora hair is soft, short, slippery and reasonably difficult to spin unless it is blended with a fine wool.

Alpaca

The Alpaca is a domesticated species of South America and resembles the Llama. They are generally smaller than llamas and are social animals, however they do have a habit of spitting, something to watch for if you ever get close to one!

The fleeces of alpacas are a pleasure to spin and the yarn produced is very light compared to sheeps wool and very warm.

- B -

Break

The break is a weak part of the staple, where the fibre will 'break' under strain. It is usually caused by sickness, a lack of food or water. Breaks in the staple can also be caused by a sudden change in the food or poor dipping techniques.

- C -

Carding

Carding is a process which breaks up a the compact fibres of a fleece to give it less density, to make it more even and to straighten the fibres ready for spinning. Carding has a similar effect as combing a staple.

Comeback

Comeback is a phrase used to describe crossbred wool that has a count of 58 or finer.

Crimp

The crimp is the wave pattern in a staple of wool. The tighter the crimp, the finer the spun wool will be.

- D -

Drafting

Drafting is the process of drawing out and reducing the fibres coming from the staple.

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- H -

Hemp

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- L -

Lazy Kate

A Lazy Kate is a bobbin holder used for plying two or more singles together to form plyed yarn.

- M -

Micron

Micron is an abbreviated form of the word micrometre which is one millionth of a metre. It is used to measure the thickness of the fibres in a fleece.

Mohair

Mohair is the fibre from an Angora goat. This fibre is soft, lustrous and non-elastic.

Mordant

A mordant is a chemical that is used in dying to 'fix' the color.

- N -

Niddy Noddy

A niddy noody is a piece of equipment that spinners use to wind wool into skeins.

- O -

Orifice

The orifice is the opening at the end of the spindle. The spun yarn passes through the orifice asit is wound onto the bobbin.

- P -

Plying

Plying is the process of twisting two singles together to form a plied yarn.

- Q -

- R -

Rolag

A rolag is a coiled piece of carded wool.

- S -

Scouring

Scouring is the process of removing the natural grease and dirt from wool.

Second Cuts

Second cuts are short pieces of wool that are the result of a shearer going over the same area twice with his shears. The short pieces are generally too short to spin.

Singles

A single is a single strand of spun wool.

Sliver

Sliver is a light, rope like arrangement of carded wool fibres. The term is generally used to describe wool that has been commercially washed and carded and is ready for spinning.

Spindle

A spindle is a weighted shaft which twists the fibres to form a thread.

Staple

A staple is a lock of fleece wool, or a number of wool fibres which naturally form into clusters.

- T -

Tip

The tip is the outer or weathered end of the staple.

Top

A top is the smooth, parallel arrangement of wool fibres after carding and combing.

- U -

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- X -

- Y -

Yolk

The yolk is the mixture of wax and sweat in wool.

- Z -

I hope you found this page of spinning terms and phrases useful. As the site develops I add to the content of the page so please feel free to come back when you next visit.

If you have any suggestions for spinning terms that you feel should be included please let me know by using the form on my contact page.

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