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What is Slub Yarn?

Malcolm Tatum
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 105,806
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As an example of a textile issue that was once considered a defect, slub yarn has proven to be an advantage in some instances. One of the early problems with automated carding and spinning processes was the appearance of an incidental section of the yarn that was fuller than the yarn was intended to be. This soft lump, or slub, would appear from time to time over each run of one thousand linear feet of yarn, and would have to be removed before the material would be ready for warping or twisting. Over time, however, the concept of yarns containing a high count of slubs as a textural and style alternative began to develop.

Yarn used in the production of various types of fabrics and materials often begins life in the form of raw product delivered to the textile plant in large bales. This is true of both natural fibers like cotton as well as synthetic creations like polypropylene and other olefin blends. Using various carding, spinning, and twisting techniques, this raw material is converted into yarn that can then be woven into patterns or used in the creation of sheets of material suitable for the production of clothing, household linens, or upholstery.

Originally, there were standards set in place that established what was considered an acceptable amount of slubbed or nubby yarn for first quality grading and sale. Typically, textile manufacturers would work to adjust or modify their machines in order to make sure the presence of slub yarn remained within acceptable perimeters. Yarn with slubs started to be used to add texture to fabrics, however, and it began to be used in the creation of what was referred to as slubbed silk.

While retaining an overall smooth texture, slub silk also is characterized by what is referred to as roves. Essentially, a rove is an intentional pattern of slub yarn that is produced when spinning and twisting machinery is adjusted to allow the presence of the fuller lumps in the yarn itself. The result is that when the fabric is woven, the slubs form a continuous pattern in the material, often with a very pleasing effect.

Depending on the intention of the manufacturer, slub yarn may be considered a big problem or be an intentional element in fabric design. When producing goods that need to have a high level of durability, such as with upholstery for furniture or car seats, its presence is decidedly a liability that must be addressed. Yarn that is used to create soft material for table lines, window treatments, and other similar projects, however, may include slub for the added visual impact.

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Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including HomeQuestionsAnswered, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.
Discussion Comments
By anon262513 — On Apr 20, 2012

Hello, does anyone know how to say "slub yarn" in Portuguese?

By anon38391 — On Jul 26, 2009

Type of silk with contrasting coloured warp and weft threads?

By mdt — On Mar 13, 2008

Slub yarn is usually thought to be fat places that occur in the yarn, whereas flying yarn is more often used to refer to foreign fibers that work their way into the weave of the yarn - most textile manufacturers make it a point to place barriers between frames of machinery that run yard in order to minimize the amount of flying yarn contamination between lots and merges. Flying yarn and foreign yarn are often used interchangeably.

Any type of fabric, including bamboo yarn, could include slubs or be compromised by flying yarn fibers, if other yarn materials are being ran in close proximity to the bamboo yarn fiber.

By anon3388 — On Aug 27, 2007

what is a flying yarn define?

Is foreign yarn consider a flying yarn?

Can both Slub and foreign yarn consider as flying yarn?

Is all these acceptable as a natural fiber create from Bamboo fabric???

Tks for answer due to encounter this issue on bamboo fabric.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
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