Yarn count

The count of reeled yarns is based on denier, a unit of measurement used to arrive at the diameter of a strand of silk. One denier (D) = 1 gram (g) weight which measures 9,000 metres (m) of filament. Translated into the imperial system this is: 1D = 9,750 yd (or just over 5 miles) of silk filament weighing 1/28 of an ounce. A strand of silk from an average cocoon is 23 denier and barely discernible by the human eye. A D 20/22 yarn is comprised of filaments from 8 cocoons which may be as thick as a hair from your head.

The count numbers describing reeled yarns are complex technicalities of trivial interest. The thickness and twist are the real important factors when embarking on a project. The best way to decide on the suitability of a yarn for our purposes is to look at a sample and the yardage it has. These factors will help determine set and hand. Reeled silk that has any kind of twist added is called thrown silk. There are two kinds of thrown silk: organzine, which is tightly twisted and plied and used as warp; and tram, which is given only a slight twist and used as weft.

Created: October 14, 2008