Normandy Linen 16/2

Bleached Ivory Normandy 16/2 linen is a good choice for hand towels or napkins. The yarn is mostly even-spun, but has the occasional slub for texture. It is very absorbent and can be ironed to a crisp feel or machine dried for a softer feel and look.

• Approximately 8 oz., approx. 1200 yds., 1 skein
• 2-ply with small slubs
• sett: 18-20 epi; Lace weight
• 100% Wet Spun Line Flax

Turning flax into linen is a complicated and lengthy process. Traditionally, the plant is pulled up by the roots and then dried. The dry flax straw is then retted to separate the fibers from the woody parts of the plant stalk.

After retting, the straw is then put through three different mechanical processes.
The first is called braking or breaking, where the bundles of flax are crushed and the woody material is broken up.
The second is scutching or swingling, where the fibers are vigorously whacked with a wooden blade to remove the remaining woody material.
Finally, the fiber is hetcheled or hackled by drawing the fibers through a set of sharp tines. The shorter fibers are removed, the thin strands of fibers are separated, and the fibers are aligned lengthwise. The shorter fibers are known as tow, and the long fibers are called line.

Please note our yarn is typically sold by weight. Yardage is approximate.