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Fiber
Diameter and How It Affects You |
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Average
fiber diameter is the most important wool fiber property in the context
of quality and value. An increase in fiber diameter results in increased
fabric harshness, flexural rigidity and abrasion resistance, while its
propensity for felting decreases. In carding and combing, fiber breakage
and noil production decrease as fiber diameter increases. Diameters larger
than 30 microns or 50s in grade are stiff enough to be "prickly"
to most peoples skins and, therefore, not suitable to wear next to the
skin. Yet these and courser fibers make wonderfully, durable rugs and
upholstery. The fiber diameter of wool is expressed by two different systems,
one is based on the English Worsted Yarn Count System (spinning count
or wool grade) and the other is a scientific method that measures the
actual diameter of the fiber in microns. |
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Spinning Count or Wool Grade |
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It
is interesting to note that the numbers used to express wool grade are
the same as those used in the English (Bradford) Spinning Count System. When
used to quantify yarn count, the number and letter 's' represent the number
of 560 yard lengths of yarn that can be spun from one pound of top. Each
560 yard length is called a hank. Top is a clean, continuous untwisted strand
of combed wool in which the fibers lie parallel, with short fibers having
been combed out as noil. At one time, it was theoretically possible to
manufacture 64s yarn from 64s wool. Because of increased machine speeds
and greater productivity, this is no longer practical in today's worsted
industry. The double meaning of the symbol for count has been a source
of confusion for many people involved with the U. S. sheep and wool industries.
This system is being replaced by a measurement of diameter in microns. The spinning count varies from finer than 80s wool like you find on superfine Merinos bred in Australia; to coarser than 36s fleece like you find on Cotswold, Lincoln or Romney breeds. |
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Micron
Measurement |
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Micron is shorthand for micrometer, which is equal to one-millionth of a meter. The average diameter range for the major sheep breeds varies from under 17 microns to over 40 microns. Merinos and Rambouillets typically have micron counts between 18 (80s)and 22. These are the breed types that would use the light fabric to prevent pilling. Corriedales and Columbias range from 23 (60's) to 25 (58's) microns and they could use either fabric. I used the heavy on most of my Corriedales but some of my older ewes used the light fabric. In my experience, sheep fiber becomes a bit finer and has a bit shorter staple as the sheep gets up there in age. Cotswolds, Lincolns and Romneys have a micron range from 32 (46's) to 40 (36's) microns and they thrive in the heavy covers and their wool has such luster. |
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