Handspun wool

Handspun wool is spun by hand, in Iran most often on a drop spindle, giving a yarn slightly uneven in thickness and twist along its length. Those variations take dye unevenly and add to abrash. Handspun versus machine-spun yarn is one of the signs that survives washing and helps in dating, but it is judged up close and in the hand.

Also handspun yarn

See also Machine-spun wool, Abrash, Handle

Last reviewed November 2026