What size yarn can you make?

This depends upon whether you are talking about an open-end yarn or a woolen system yarn. It also depends upon the fiber and or blend of fibers you want made.  Generally, the higher the % of synthetic yarn, the finer (or smaller) we can make the yarn. The first thing we need to know is what system are you using to determine the size of the yarn. Currently, there are ten different common measuring systems for determining yarn size. Some of these various measuring systems are: (1) grains per 50 yds.; (2) cotton count; (3) worsted count; (4) wool run; (5) ply/grains; (6) yards/pound; (7) grains per 120 yards.; (8) metric count (Nm); (9) denier grams/9000M; (10) tex/1000M; (11) decitex/10000 (dtex); and, (12) meters/kilogram. For example, in a single ply yarn we can typically produce yarn from 35 grains per 50 yards to 350 grains per 50 yards. If we two ply the 350 grain yarn, it will be a total of 700 grains per 50 yards. To assist you, Crescent has created two links:

Yarn Conversion Chart

To learn more about yarn size conversion, try the chart.

We use all types of wool. Our standard wool is 56’s grade (the lower the grade the coarser the wool). Our high end wool runs from 64’s grade up to 70’s grade. Fine merino wools run 64’s to 70’s grade. Other natural fibers we process are:

  • Alpaca
  • Angora (both rabbit and goat)
  • Buffalo
  • Cashmere
  • Merino Sheep
  • Mohair
  • Raccoon

We also process a wide range of synthetic fibers of varying deniers (thickness). Many of these synthetic fibers are fire retardant. Synthetic fibers include, but are not necessarily restricted to, the following:

  • Acrylic
  • Conex®
  • Dacron
  • Kanecaron®
  • Kevlar®
  • Nomex®
  • Nylon
  • Polyester
  • Thermalite®
  • Thermastat®
  • Thermax®

We also process the following plant- and insect-based fibers:

  • Bamboo
  • Silk

Some of our wool is domestic (from the U.S.). A lot of our wool comes from Australia and New Zealand. Some of our wool also comes from South Africa. Wools from various countries have unique characteristics. For instance, wool from the U.S. has a unique crimp in the fiber and makes very lofty sweaters, socks, hats, scarves and gloves. Wool from South Africa felts very easily and is excellent at making berets. We have perfected an excellent beret yarn made from 100% domestic wool as required by the Department of Defense for government contracts.

Absolutely! We have been recognized by the Department of Defense for the excellent documentation we provide our customers with government contracts. We also have successfully gone through numerous audits by the Canadian government to insure NAFTA compliance. Upon request, and at the time of shipping, you will receive all the appropriate compliance paperwork on any order you place with us.

We would need to see a representative sample of fiber in order to answer that. In general, we do not encourage people to send us their fiber, as it needs to be properly scoured or washed prior to arriving at our facility to prevent contaminants from entering our equipment. Crescent does not have a scouring operation. If you wish to send a representative sample for the woolen system, the fiber length must be between 2.5 – 3.5 inches with 80% of the fiber being under 3 inches. On the open-end system, the fiber length must be between 1.5 – 2 inches. Our fiber suppliers know the strict specifications we demand of any fiber supplied to us, including the 500 pound minimum quantity. If you are interested in becoming a supplier, please contact us.