A micrometer, also known as a micron, is a measurement unit. It is one one-thousandth of a millimeter, and used when items like hairs and bacteria need to be measured. When you are trying to have knitting wool microns explained, this is essential background. As well as learning something about the fiber, however, knitters also need to know how their yarn is affected.
The size of the fibers on a Merino sheep, a common fine-wool breed, is around 10 to 25 microns. The smaller the number, the smaller the fiber itself. Fibers change in size depending on the genetics, health and age of the animal that they came from. A single fleece may be graded, or an entire batch, by the average mean diameter of the fibers contained.
Most wool used to make clothing and other garments is 11 to 24 microns thick. Larger fibers tend to be coarser than smaller ones, and those over 25 microns are usually saved for use in blankets, insulation and other uses. When choosing the right diameter for clothing projects, it is important to note that although the finer diameters produce softer yarns and fabrics, they are also less durable and more prone to piling.
Fibers just under the threshold for clothing are best used for outerwear, where their slightly scratchy exterior will not cause the wearer discomfort. Although somewhat itchy, these larger fibers are stronger and more durable than finer ones. A coat or other material that is worn over things needs to resist piling and be durable, which these larger fibers are.
Softer, thinner fibers make softer, though not necessarily thinner, yarns. These are good choices for anything worn up against the skin, such as inner clothing, baby clothes, and scarves. These fibers are more delicate, which means that the entire item is more delicate and prone to piling. The size of 18.5 microns is often seen as the cut-off between fibers soft enough to wear against the skin and those better suited to outerwear.
Other systems are in place to grade fibers in different ways than micrometers. Some of these break the fibers down into categories with names based on their micrometer size. Others involve different criteria altogether, such as the number of crimps per inch in a fiber, and the overall average length of a fiber.
Knitting with this natural material has many advantages. The resulting product can be warm for winter or cool for summer, it is breathable for working out or allowing airflow to the skin, and it dries quickly. Fine fibers can make a yarn as soft as alternative materials, as well. Superfine fibers from young sheep are some of the softest materials suitable for clothing in the world, actually.
Like any other material, there are some downsides associated with this option, as well. Finer fibers are more expensive, and this cost is passed on to the yarn and thus the knitter. This means that the softer, more comfortable yarns may be too expensive for many knitters. Outerwear yarn is more cheaply and easily available. For a quick tip on knitting wool microns explained, just remember that smaller is softer.
The size of the fibers on a Merino sheep, a common fine-wool breed, is around 10 to 25 microns. The smaller the number, the smaller the fiber itself. Fibers change in size depending on the genetics, health and age of the animal that they came from. A single fleece may be graded, or an entire batch, by the average mean diameter of the fibers contained.
Most wool used to make clothing and other garments is 11 to 24 microns thick. Larger fibers tend to be coarser than smaller ones, and those over 25 microns are usually saved for use in blankets, insulation and other uses. When choosing the right diameter for clothing projects, it is important to note that although the finer diameters produce softer yarns and fabrics, they are also less durable and more prone to piling.
Fibers just under the threshold for clothing are best used for outerwear, where their slightly scratchy exterior will not cause the wearer discomfort. Although somewhat itchy, these larger fibers are stronger and more durable than finer ones. A coat or other material that is worn over things needs to resist piling and be durable, which these larger fibers are.
Softer, thinner fibers make softer, though not necessarily thinner, yarns. These are good choices for anything worn up against the skin, such as inner clothing, baby clothes, and scarves. These fibers are more delicate, which means that the entire item is more delicate and prone to piling. The size of 18.5 microns is often seen as the cut-off between fibers soft enough to wear against the skin and those better suited to outerwear.
Other systems are in place to grade fibers in different ways than micrometers. Some of these break the fibers down into categories with names based on their micrometer size. Others involve different criteria altogether, such as the number of crimps per inch in a fiber, and the overall average length of a fiber.
Knitting with this natural material has many advantages. The resulting product can be warm for winter or cool for summer, it is breathable for working out or allowing airflow to the skin, and it dries quickly. Fine fibers can make a yarn as soft as alternative materials, as well. Superfine fibers from young sheep are some of the softest materials suitable for clothing in the world, actually.
Like any other material, there are some downsides associated with this option, as well. Finer fibers are more expensive, and this cost is passed on to the yarn and thus the knitter. This means that the softer, more comfortable yarns may be too expensive for many knitters. Outerwear yarn is more cheaply and easily available. For a quick tip on knitting wool microns explained, just remember that smaller is softer.
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