A hackled band is a cohesive bundle of long flax fibers that is created after hackling, a process in which flax fibers or hemp fibers are combed to remove impurities and short fibers. In the linen industry, this band, also called a combed band or sliver, is used as base material to spin fine yarn, which is subsequently woven into linen textile.Hear what they have to say
- A hackled band consists of long, purified flax fibers that have been combed out with a hackle after scutching (where the wood is removed from the stem).
- This results in a homogeneous, smooth fiber bundle that is suitable for further processing in the spinning process into fine linen yarn.
Function of the hackled band in linen and hemp
- The hackled band is further processed in the linen and hemp industry into thin, strong threads with which the fabrics are woven.
- During hackling, shorter fibers, the so-called hackle tow, are also separated; these are often used for coarser purposes such as rope or filling material.
- The quality of the linen depends on the quality of the hackled band: the longer and smoother the fibers, the finer and stronger the final linen.
Not related to the expression ‘having a grudge against something’
The expression ‘having a grudge against something’ does NOT stem from the verb ‘to hackle’ or the tool ‘hackle’ that is used in flax processing. The origin of this expression likely lies with the German word ‘Ekel’, which means ‘disgust’. There is probably a case of folk etymological adaptation to the already existing Dutch word ‘hekel’, but a direct relationship with the flax processing tool or the verb ‘hekelen’ does not exist.
Summary
- The flax is combed with a hackle, whereby the long fibers come together in a band: thehackled band.
- This band forms the raw material for the finest linen or hemp yarn, which is ultimately woven into fabrics.
In short, a hackled band is essential in the production process of linen as the collection bundle of long flax fibers that forms the basis for spinning quality linen yarn.
Interesting information about the process from flax to fine linen can be found on this website (in dutch): https://www.oudesporen.nl/Download/OS1500.pdf
