NEWS & CSR

7 Unique Types of Yarn in the Textile Industry You May Not Know

08 Feb 2026 | 2 Views | News Category: Education

Did you know that the world of textile yarn goes far beyond cotton and polyester? When exploring textiles, you will discover a wide range of unique yarn types, whether in terms of material, structure, or function—many of which are often overlooked despite their important roles in industry and design.
In this article, we invite you to take a closer look at these unique types of yarn that can serve as inspiration for your textile projects or help you choose the most suitable yarn for your needs.

1. Chiengora – Yarn Made from Dog Hair

What Is Chiengora?

Chiengora is a type of yarn made from dog hair. The term comes from the word chien (French for dog) and angora. This yarn offers excellent insulation and can even be warmer than wool due to the structure of its fibers.

Advantages & Applications

Extremely warm and suitable for cold-weather products
Unique texture that differs from common yarn types
Commonly blended with wool to improve elasticity

2. Eisengarn – Strong Yarn with a Metallic Sheen

Origin and Characteristics

The name Eisengarn literally means “iron yarn,” although it contains no iron at all. It is a cotton yarn treated with wax and protective compounds, then polished to create a distinctive sheen and enhanced strength.

Key Benefits

Highly durable, strong, and stable
Often used in products that require high resistance, such as bags or functional textiles

3. Slub Yarn – Irregular Texture

The Unique Structure of Slub Yarn

Image source: Freepik

Slub yarn features intentional variations in thickness along the strand, creating a distinctive visual texture in the fabric. This structure is deliberately produced during the spinning process.

Applications

Creates an artistic, textured look in knitted or woven fabrics
Suitable for fashion as well as interior textile products

4. Snarl Yarns – Yarn with Extra Twist

Characteristics

Image source: Sinrylion

Snarl yarns are produced using a twisting technique that causes the yarn to loop and coil dynamically along its length, resulting in an eye-catching visual effect and textured structure.

Uses

Adds dimension and character to fabric
Commonly used in creative textile designs and fashion products

5. Button (Knop) Yarns – Yarn with Nodules

Brief Definition

This type of yarn is formed through a specific spinning process that creates small nodes or lumps at regular intervals along the yarn.

Key Features

Creates a three-dimensional appearance and decorative details
Used to add visual texture to fabrics and knitted products

6. Marl Yarns – Blended Color Effects

What Is Marl Yarn?

Marl yarn is made by twisting two or more yarns in different colors together, producing a distinctive, heathered color effect throughout the fabric.

Advantages

Mixed color effects without additional dyeing processes
Often used to add visual interest to woven or knitted fabrics

7. Fancy / Novelty Yarns – The Artistic Yarn

Variety and Aesthetics

Fancy yarns, also known as novelty yarns, are designed to create unique visual effects and textures in fabric. Examples include boucle yarns, fine boucle, and other intentionally irregular forms.

Common Applications

Premium fashion garments
Decorative textiles and statement products

Why Is It Important to Understand Different Types of Yarn?

Understanding these unique yarn types can help you:

Choose the right yarn based on the function and aesthetics of your project
Better understand fabric characteristics before mass production
Design textile products with added value and stronger visual appeal

The world of yarn extends far beyond cotton and wool. From unconventional animal-based fibers to yarn structures that enhance aesthetic character, each type has its own place in the textile industry. Gaining insight into these unique yarns broadens your perspective, helps you better understand fabric behavior, and opens opportunities to create more creative, functional, and value-added textile products.

Share This

BACK

NEWS CATEGORIES

View All Categories...