Pile (textile)
Pileis the raised surface ornapof afabric,consisting of upright loops or strands ofyarn.[1]Examples of piletextilesarecarpets,corduroy,velvet,plush,and Turkish towels.[2]The word is derived from Latinpilusfor "hair".[3]
Length and density[edit]
The surface and the yarn in these fabrics are also called "pile". In particular "pile length" or "pile depth" refer to the length of the yarn strands (half-length of the loops). Pile length affects and is affected byknot density:"The greater the knot density, the thinner the weft and warp yarns and the more weakly are they twisted; the smaller the density, the coarser are the foundation yarns."[4]Designs and motifs are also affected by and affect pile depth: "A carpet design with a high knot density is better adapted to intricate and curvilinear designs, which of necessity must have a shorter pile length to avoid looking blurry. A carpet with a lesser knot density is better adapted to bold, geometric designs and can utilize a long pile for softer, more reflective surface that appeals to the sense of touch."[5]
Types[edit]
- Loop
- Uncut
- Cut
- Knotted
- Tufted
- Woven
- Cord
- Twist
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Pile."The Oxford English Dictionary.2nd ed. 1989.
- ^"pile",DictionaryUnabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. Retrieved 10 September 2007.
- ^"Pile,"Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. retrieved fromdictionary10 September 2007.
- ^Tzareva, Elena (1984).Rugs & carpets from Central Asia: the Russian collections,p.12-3. Penguin.ISBN9780140063691.
- ^Denny, Walter B. (2014).How to Read Islamic Carpets,p.43 & 61. Metropolitan Museum of Art.ISBN9780300208092.