184
M. Sharan and S. Haldar
Table 4 Fineness of 100 %
lotus handspun yarn
Yarn sample
Denier
Tex
Cotton count (Ne)
Lotus yarn
108
12
50 s
Table 5 Shrinkage (%) of
lotus yarn
Initial Length
(in cm)
After (in cm) Difference (in
cm)
Shrinkage (%)
54.5
54.5
0
0
67.4
67.4
0
0
60.3
60.3
0
0
65.5
65.5
0
0
67.2
67.2
0
0
Initially, the fiber bundle with one and two petioles was experimented for spinning.
But it was not easily spinnable and there were more breakages. But the fiber bundle
taken from three petioles was easily spinnable. For entire study the fiber bundle from
three petioles was spun. During spinning it was observed that fibers were spinnable
without fewer breakages in entire spinning process.
4.5 Yarn Testing
4.5.1 Yarn Fineness
Fineness of the yarn is important to obtain a soft, smooth and uniform fabric [18].
The fineness of the yarn was determined with both direct and indirect system. The
values obtained have been given in Table 4.
4.5.2 Yarn Shrinkage
Shrinkage is the dimensional change in the reduction of length in yarn. The values of
the shrinkage (%) have been given in Table 5. Hence it was observed that lotus yarn
has 0 % shrinkage, which is an advantage over the other natural fibers like cotton
and wool where there is a problem of shrinkage.
4.5.3 Yarn Twist
The spiral disposition of the components of a thread is usually the result of relative
rotation of the two ends [11]. Twist per inch (tpi), twist per meter (tpm) and twist