Novelty Yarn-2

1. What is understood by novelty yarn? Write the components of a novelty yarn.

Novelty yarns are fancy yarns that deliberately have unlike parts and are irregular at intervals.
The irregularities may be subtle or very obvious and the intervals may be regular or random.
Novelty yarns may be single, plied or cord yarns. They may be spun, filament or textured yarns-
or any combination of yarn types.
Novelty yarns produce an interesting or novel effects in fabrics made from them. Their structure
may be complex and consist of several yarn plies combined into one yarn. These yarns are made
on twisters with special attachments for producing different tensions and rates of delivery in the
different plies. This produces loose, curled, twisted, or looped areas in the yarn. Slubs or flakes
or short-staple fibres of different colour are introduced into the yarn by special attachments.
Knots or slubs are made at regular or random intervals as the machine operates.

Most of the novelty yarns are complex ply yarns. A complex ply yarn is made up of three
parts:
a) Coreply yarn, which gives strength to the yarn. It is also called ground or foundation
yarn.
b) Effect ply, which is responsible for creating the design and novel appearance.
c) Binder yarn, which holds the effect ply and the ground ply together. It is also called the
tie yarn.

2. What are the characteristics of a novelty yarn?

Novelty yarns are usually plied yarns, but they are often weak and sensitive to abrasion
damage.

These yarns are generally used in one direction only, ie, in the filling direction because it
is more economical and wastage is lesser. Also, filling yarns are less susceptible to
damage due to strain and are easier to vary for design purposes.

These yarns improve the aesthetic appeal of a fabric at a lower cost. The durability of a
novelty yarn depends on the size of the ply effect, the fibre content and firmness of the
fabric structure. Usually, the smaller the novelty yarn, the more durable is the fabric. The
quality and cost of novelty yarns are related to the quality of the fibres and plies from
which, the yarn is made and also the regularity of yarn structure. Novelty bulky yarns add
crease resistance to the fabric.
 Novelty Yarn-2

3. What are the disadvantageous characteristics of novelty yarn?

a) Novelty yarns are often weak and have poor abrasion resistance.
b) Novelty bulky yarns may make the fabric hard to handle.
c) Fabrics made from novelty yarns are generally not durable as they are susceptible
to wear from abrasion.
d) The parts of a novelty yarn exposed beyond the surface of the ground ply are particularly
vulnerable to abrasion.

e) These yarns should be avoided for manufacturing those fabrics where durability and long
wear is required.

4. Write the applications of novelty yarn.

There is an array of stunning high-end novelty silk yarns available in the textile industry. When
woven or knitted into fabrics, they produce an altogether different look. They are also used in
making crochet and embroidery threads. Fabrics manufactured from novelty yarns are not only
used in apparel, but also in upholstery. A variation done in the type of yarn used can change the
complete outlook of a garment or a cushion cover. Apart from improving the visual appearance
of the fabric, these yarns also improve its texture and feel. Sometimes warmth is also added as
by using textured yarns as in sweaters. The lusture is improved by using metallic yarns and when
used in garment, a normal silhouette can turn into a party wear dress. Novelty yarns like spike
yarns are also being used in making soft toys. These yarns are providing us with a huge variety of
surface ornamented fabrics at a low cost.
5. What are understood by caterpillar yarn , flake yarn, ratine yarn, tweed yarn?
Tweed yarn is a single, spun novelty yarn. Flecks of short coloured fibres are twisted into the
yarn to add interest. Tweeds are often made of wool because of its cohesiveness. Tweed yarns
are found in apparel, upholstery and draperies.

Ratine Yarn is a complex ply yarn in which, the effect ply is twisted in a spiral arrangement
around the ground ply. At intervals, a longer loop is thrown out, kinks back on itself, and is held
in place by the binder. The ratine yarn's small loops on its surface give the yarn a taut, rough-
surfaced effect. These yarns are used in mostly in furnishings.

Chenille yarn is made by cutting a specially woven ladderlike fabric into warpwise strips. The
yarn has a soft, fuzzy and springy surface. Chenille yarns are also called 'caterpillar' yarns.

Flake yarns are variations of the slub yarns. The flake effect is made by inserting soft, thick tufts
of roving between between yarns at intervals. The resultant flake yarn has varying thickness and
softness. Flake yarn is used only in fancy-effect applications.