• Q. What is fiber?
• Q. What is yarn?
• Q. What are the characteristics of a good yarn?
• Q. What are the processes that go into making yarn?
• Q. What is ply?
• Q. Tell us the difference between 'woolen' and 'worsted wool' fabrics?
• Q. Can wool be blended with other fibers?
• Q. Should woolen garments have a lining to provide comfort?
• Q. What is shoddy?
• Q. What is pilling?
• Q. What are full-fashioned knits?
• Q. What are cut-and-sew knits?
• Q. How to order custom made knitwear?
• Q. Does the wool season last beyond fall and winter?
• Q. What should buyers look for in warmer seasons?
• Q. Will finer, lighter wools prove too fragile for long-time wear?

Q. What is fiber?
A. Fiber refers to the filaments and strings of which yarn is made.

Q. What is yarn?
A. Yarn is a continuous strand which is made up of filaments or fibers. It is used to make fabric/textiles of different kinds.

Q. What are the characteristics of a good yarn?
A. The characteristics of good yarn are:

• Flexibility
• Capacity to withstand the act of being wrapped about needles or hooks

Q. What are the processes that go into making yarn?
A. The various process include:

• Cleaning, carding, and untangling the fiber before spinning it into yarn. In other words, the fiber is brushed to achieve a straight, smooth look.
• Synthetic yarns like polyester and nylon are made by forcing hot material through tiny holes.
• Metallic yarns are made from sheets of aluminum or other metals in combination with a polyester film. Then it is cut into filaments.
• Natural or animal fibers like cotton or wool are spun into yarn.
• Some fibers are also combed to straighten and sort them by length

Q. What is ply?
A. Yarn may be of two kinds, namely plied and unplied.

• Plied yarn: Ply refers to a twisted strand. Yarn is plied/twisted in the opposite direction. Most yarn is made of plied material. The number of plies in a yarn do not contribute to its thickness. For example, a yarn made of two loose plies may be thicker than one with four firm plies. However, the strength of the yarn and its evenness does depend on the number of plies.
• Unplied yarn: This term refers to wool which has been stretched out a bit. A good example would be roving (a bulky, fluffy yarn with no twist). Garments made of roving tend to pill, and are fragile.

Q. Tell us the difference between 'woolen' and 'worsted wool' fabrics?
A. The difference lies in the length of fiber:

• Woolens: These fabrics are made with shorter fibers which stand up from the surface, giving the fabric a hairy touch.
• Worsteds: These fabrics are made with longer fibers which produce a smooth surface that feels comfortable next to the skin.

Q. Can wool be blended with other fibers?
A. Of course! Fibers like rayon or nylon are often blended with wool. This adds novelty or decorative effect to the fabric. However, it is necessary that the wool in blended fabrics does not lose its positive characteristics.

Q. Should woolen garments have a lining to provide comfort?
A. Woolen garments are more comfortable when they are unlined. Unlined wool is breathable, and takes away moisture from the body. Moreover, lined material is usually synthetic, and does not possess the porosity of natural wool.

Q. What is shoddy?
A. Shoddy refers to yarn/fabric made from scraps. It lacks quality, and is poorly made.

Q. What is pilling?
A. Pilling refers to the forming of little matted balls on the surface of knitted fabrics. Pilling occurs when soft yarn rubs against itself, resulting in tangled fibers.

Q. What are full-fashioned knits?
A. These knits are made from panels that are shaped during the process of knitting after which they are sewn together. Fully-fashioned knits are used for high-quality knits.

Q. What are cut-and-sew knits?
A. These knits are made of flat panels which are cut from pre-knit fabric which are sewn together in the end. The seams in these knit fabrics tend to be bulkier than the ones in full-fashioned knits.

Q. How to order custom made knitwear?
A. After checking the credibility of suppliers/manufacturers, send them a query through email. Specify the type of knitwear (men's, women's or kids' knitted garments/accessories), color style, size etc.

Q. Does the wool season last beyond fall and winter?
A. Yes. Wool is and can be worn at least ten months of the year in perfect comfort due to its natural climate control. It keeps you cool in the warmer months just as it keeps you warm in the winter.

Q. What should buyers look for in warmer seasons?
A. Buyers should look for lightweight worsted wools (knitted or woven). Market research is necessary to identify the latest trends. However, a basic guideline would be to stick with neutral colors that will be wearable from fall to spring. Lighter hues should be chosen so that the sun's heat is reflected in the warmer months.

Q. Will finer, lighter wools prove too fragile for long-time wear?
A. Never. This is because, wool retains its resistance to pilling and tensile strength even in the lightest and finest of weights. Delicate woolens are durable too.