Posted by Sharon on Saturday, 12 July 2008, at 7:18 a.m.:
In Reply to: what does 8/2 mean? posted by SD Wangmo on Friday, 11 July 2008, at 6:37 p.m.:
SD,
The first number in the equation is the diameter of the fiber and the second is the number of plies. Sometimes in europe you will see them written the other way around. The smaller the first number the larger the thread the larger the number the smaller the thread. 8/2 is 2 plies of size 8 cotton. 8/2 of course is twice the size of 8/1. 8/2 is the same diameter as 4/1. Davisons pattern weaving book has information about fibers and how the weight and length system was set up. All fibers are not created equal and an 8/2 cotton is not the same size as an 8/2 linen or wool however. the Mcmorran yarn balance can tell you how many yards per pound the fiber has and a good tip to figure out how to sett the fiber is to wrap the yarn around a ruler. if you wrap the fiber so it is not packed down but resting right up against the previous wrap and you wrap for a half inch the number of wraps in a 1/2 inch equals the number of ends per inch if you are going to weave plain weave. You will need to increase the ends per inch if you are going to weave twill. For example if there are 20 wraps in a half inch then you set your warp at 20 ends per inch if you are weaving plain weave. This is because you have to allow for the diameter of the yarn to pass between each warp thread. Of course with twills the weft yarn does not pass between every thread with every shot so you have to sett them a little closer. Interweave press has a yarn guide that you can print off and you can lay the yarn on top of the picture to see if the size compares. The more plies the stronger the yarn, but also the less pliable the yarn. I use 8/2 a lot in weaving for towels especially. I have also woven material for clothing. Hope this helps. There have been several yarn resouce guides written as well as sett books, but learning to weave by deb chandler will also give you good information about yarns.
Sharon