What Are Different Types Of Staple Yarn?

Yarn is the raw material of any fabric. Yarn is made by twisting several strands of fibers to create a continuous length of interlocked fibers. The twisting is done through a process called spinning.

Yarn can be made from natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. The most popular natural fiber is cotton. Other yarn types include silk, wool, and polyester. Polyester is the most commonly available synthetic fiber.

Yarn is an intermediary product that can be used to make various finished products, such as apparel, rope, and upholstery.

Fabric is composed of a collection of yarns knitted together. Blended fabrics include several types of yarn knitted together, such as silk chiffon and polyester chiffon.

Yarns can be classified according to specific characteristics. In this blog, we will examine different types of yarn based on three characteristics: fiber type, stretch and size of fibers, and twisting technique. So, let's explore various yarn types.

Types of Yarn by Fiber Type

Yarns can be classified into two kinds: natural and synthetic. Within natural fibers, there are two separate categories: cellulose fiber and protein fiber.

Natural Fiber

1. Cellulose fiber

Cellulose is a type of fiber derived from plants. The most common type is cotton, but other types include hemp, jute, bamboo, and sisal.

2.  Protein Fibers

This fiber type is derived from insects and animals. Wool and silk ( from insect larvae) are the most recognizable and well-known. Other types of protein fibers include goats, alpacas, rabbits, etc.

Synthetic Fibers

Sythetic fibers are man-made fibers derived from petroleum products. These fibers are polymers extracted from petroleum. Polyester, nylon, and acrylics are synthetic fibers. Nylon yarns are alternatively known as polyamide yarns.

Blended Fibers

A third category of fibers used to manufacture a more versatile type of fabric is blended fibers. Blended fibers combine two or more types of fibers spun together. Various types of blends are available in the market, such as cotton and polyester, which combine the softness of cotton with the durability of polyester. There are diverse types of blended fibers with an array of different textures.

Linen Yarns

Linen yarns can be subdivided into two classes: Tow and Line. Tow linen yarn is spun from short fibers and has a coarse texture but readily absorbs moisture. Linen, on the other hand, consists of long fibers that are 15 inches long and have a smooth texture. Linen yarns are soft, and the tablecloth is made from fine-quality linen.

Yarn types by stretch

Stretchable fabrics are vital to the textile industry and are in great demand in the market as well. The stretch quality of any fabric depends on yarn type and weaving style. If yarns are interloped in knitting, the result is a stretchy fabric, while traditionally woven yarn does not have a stretching quality.

Stretch yarns comprise three types.

Bare Elastic yarns

Such yarns are constructed from monofilament spandex fiber. Spandex is very stretchable but not tear-resistant, so it is blended with other yarn types to make it more durable. The most common types of spandex blends are cotton, acrylic, and polyester spandex.

Covered Elastic Yarns

The structure of covered elastic yarns consists of monofilaments covered with filament yarn soun in a spiral style. They are ideal for power stretch fabrics and shapewear.

Core Spun Yarns

Core-spun yarns have a unique construction consisting of staple fibers woven around a spandex core. The final result is a stretchy and smooth yarn. These yarns are used to make comfort-stretch fabric. Core-spun spandex yarns are not as durable and tear-resistant as other types of spandex yarns.

Yarn Types by Fiber Size

Spun Yarn

In the textile industry, short-length fibers are known as staple fibers. With the exception of silk, all other natural fibers exist in staple form naturally. During the spinning process, these short fibers are arranged parallel to each other and alternately and then pulled and twisted to make a single thread. The resulting thread is called spun yarn. Spun yarn can be natural or synthetic.

Filament Yarns

Longer-length silk and synthetic fibers are twisted to produce filament yarns. Filament yarns are not twisted tightly to retain their smooth texture and shiny surface. Crepe fabric consists of tightly twisted filament yarns, but generally, longer-length yarns are not twisted tightly compared to staple fibers.

Filament yarns consist of a single filament or multiple filaments. In some cases, filament fibers are cut into shorter, exact lengths and blended with staple fibers to create blended yarns.

Monofilament Yarn

This type of yarn is a single, thick strand of synthetic fiber. Compared to multifilament, it forms a stiffer fabric with less flexibility. Some common monofilament yarns are sewing thread, filter fabrics, and fishing lines.

Multifilament Yarns

Multifilament yarns are utilized for fabrics with a softer feel. These fibers have a long length and do not require much twisting to hold them together, making them ideal for making lining fabrics.

Microfilament Yarn

As the name suggests, these types of yarns have a diameter of fewer than 10 micrometers. These fine fibers are used to weave fabric close to silk in texture. It has a soft feel, is wrinkle-free, and is also wear-resistant. Microfibers, such as polyester and polyamides, are usually synthetic. Microfiber blends are also produced and twisted with natural fibers like wool and cotton to give rise to fabrics with more diverse qualities.

Yarn Type by Fiber Twisting Technique

This involves twisting single filaments or strands of fiber, the number of twists per unit length of which can be measured. Thus, we have none, very low, low, moderate, and high twists.

Filament yarns, used to create highly smooth and flowing fabrics, do not twist. Bulky sweaters feature low twists. Most woven fabrics have medium twists. Crepe fabric and chiffon are manufactured from tightly twisted yarns.

The direction of the twist determines this classification. Yarns are classified as "S" or "Z" twists based on the final twist direction.

S Twist yarns

In this twisting technique that consists of clockwise twisting, the yarns are known as S-twisted yarns.

Z Twist Yarns

If fibers are twisted counterclockwise, the yarn is termed Z-twist yarn.

Ply Yarn

In a ply yarn, two or more yarns are twisted together. If three yarns are twisted together, they are termed three-ply yarns. In two-ply yarns, two strands are combined to make one strand.

Conclusion

Each type of yarn, whether natural or synthetic, has unique characteristics that affect the finished product's texture, appearance, and durability. Natural yarns, such as wool, cotton, and silk, offer breathability, softness, and biodegradability, making them ideal for various projects. Synthetic yarns, such as acrylic, nylon, and polyester, provide advantages like durability, elasticity, and cost-effectiveness. Poly core spun yarn manufacturers offer a versatile option that combines the benefits of synthetic and natural fibers, enhancing strength and comfort. The wide range of yarn types allows crafters and manufacturers to select the perfect material for their needs, balancing factors like texture, durability, cost, and environmental impact. What are the different types of staple yarn?