GLOSSARY OF TERMS

ACID DYE: A type of dye that is used to dye protein fibres such as wool or silk, and requires an acidic environment to bond with the fibres.

ANIMAL FIBRE: Fibres that come from animals, such as wool, alpaca, silk, and mohair. Also referred to as PROTEIN FIBRE.

BLEEDING: When dye runs off from the yarn and mixes with the wash water or other colours in the same item.

BLOCKING: The process of shaping and setting a finished piece of knitted or crocheted fabric using water and pins.

CAL (CROCHET-ALONG): A community event where participants crochet the same pattern or project together.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Guidelines for washing and caring for a finished item made with hand-dyed yarn.

COLOURWAY: A specific combination of colours used to dye a particular yarn.

CROCKING: When dye rubs off from the yarn and transfers onto skin or other surfaces.

DYE LOT: A batch of yarn that has been dyed at the same time and under the same conditions.

DYE-TO-ORDER: A service offered by some dyers where customers can purchase yarn dyed in their chosen colourway and base.

FELTING: The process of interlocking wool fibres together through heat, moisture, and agitation, resulting in a denser and often matted fabric.

FIBRE REACTIVE DYE: A type of dye that is used to dye cellulose fibres such as cotton, linen, and rayon. Fibre reactive dyes may also be used on animal fibres.

GRADIENT: A colourway that gradually shifts from one colour to another.

HANK: A length of yarn wound into a loose, skein-like loop, often used for dyeing or hand-washing.

HAND-DYED YARN: Yarn that has been dyed by hand rather than by machine. Usually dyed with more attention to detail, and in smaller batches than commercially-dyed yarn.

INDIE DYER: A person or small business that hand-dyes yarn.

INDIE YARN: Yarn produced by an independent dyer or small business, rather than a large commercial manufacturer.

KAL (KNIT-ALONG): A community event where participants knit the same pattern or project together.

MULESING: The controversial practice of removing strips of wool-bearing skin from the hindquarters of sheep to prevent flystrike.

PLY: Two or more strands of yarn twisted together.

PROCION DYE: A type of fibre reactive dye that is used for dyeing natural plant fibres such as cotton, linen, and rayon.

PROTEIN FIBRE: Generally speaking, animal fibre. Like human hair, wool is made of a protein called keratin.

SEMISOLID: Yarn with a single colour, but varying shades of that colour throughout.

SKEIN: A length of yarn wound into a loop, typically for ease of storage and transport.

SOCK YARN: A durable, lightweight yarn typically used for knitting or crocheting socks.

SPECKLED: Yarn with small flecks of colour scattered throughout.

SUPERWASH: A process used on wool to make it machine-washable and reduce felting.

SUPERWASH MERINO: Merino wool that has been treated to make it machine washable and resistant to felting.

SWATCH: A small sample of knitting or crochet used to test gauge or stitch pattern.

STAPLE LENGTH: The length of individual fibres in a particular type of yarn or fibre.

STRIKE: The process of adding acid to wool yarn to help the dye bond with the fibres.

TONAL: A colourway that uses variations of a single colour to create depth and interest.

UV REACTIVE DYE: A type of dye that glows under UV light.

VARIEGATED: Yarn with various colours used across each skein.

WPI (WRAPS PER INCH): A measurement used to determine the weight and thickness of a yarn. To find WPI, wrap the yarn around a ruler until it covers an inch, and count how many times it has been wound round.

Got any suggestions for terms to add to the glossary? Let me know!