Carpet Glossary
A weaving term for yarns in woven fabrics and carpets that run in the machine direction (or lengthwise). Warp yarns are usually delivered to a weaving loom from a beam mounted behind the loom. Woven carpets usually have three sets of warp yarns, which may be wound on three loom beams. These include stuffer warp for lengthwise strength and stiffness, pile warp which forms the carpet surface tufts, and chain warp which interlaces with fill yarn to lock the structure together.
Irregular random shading or pile reversal in cut pile carpet. Although much research has been done in an effort to determine the cause for watermarking, there has never been a single or consistent reason determined.
Yarns which run widthwise in woven carpet interlacing with various warp yarns.
Man-made fiber that is extruded as a white fiber. The fiber can be dyed any color using a variety of dye methods either before or after the tufting/weaving process. See also "Dye methods."
A type of woven carpet and the loom used to manufacture it. Wilton looms have jacquard pattern mechanisms which use punched cards/computer programs to select yarn color. The carpets are often patterned or have multilevel surfaces. See "Frames."
Parts of carpet weaving looms composed of thin metal rods or blades on which the pile tufts are formed. Round wires and cut wires are identical in shape. The cut wire has a small knife blade at the end and, as it is withdrawn, it cuts the yarn looped over it to form cut pile.
The original carpet fiber. Wool is noted for its excellent dyeability, luxurious feel and relatively high cost.
Spinning method which produces bulky, hairy yarn, usually used for wool yarns. A series of cards, or large cylinders with comb-like teeth, straighten the fibers into a paralleled fiber webbing. This webbing is blended with other webbing, then spun into yarn.
Also known as modified worsted spinning or parallel spinning. See "Parallel spinning."
A tufted carpet term for primary or secondary backing manufactured by the weaving process. Secondary backings are usually woven jute or woven polypropylene.
Carpet produced on a loom. Warp pile yarns intertwine with wires and backing yarns called warp yarns. These yarns are locked in with the weft yarns. Warp stuffer yarns are included to provide extra stability. Weaving is a slower, more expensive, labor-intensive fabrication method than tufting. Woven carpet is distinguished by intricate patterns and tailored, controlled textures.
