Fundamentals of Textile Design 3(2+1)

Lesson 6: Yarn Size And Twist

Amount of twist

The amount of twist varies with the length of fibers, the size of yarn and the end use of that yarn. Twisting of fibers up to a point improves the cohesion and strength of yarns but too much twist places the fibers at right angles to the axis of yarn inducing shearing action between fibers resulting in loss of yarn strength. The amount of twist that gives warp yarns maximum strength is referred to as standard warp twist. Warp yarns require more twist than weft yarns and carded yarns require more than combed yarns. Yarns intended for knitting have even low twist than the filling yarns of weaving. However different twists are given for yarns based on the end uses in the fabric.