Twisted Yarn

Twisted yarn refers to both the process of applying a twist to fibers and the resulting yarn itself. By applying a twist to fibers, a constrictive force directed toward the center is generated, through which the fibers adhere closely to one another and are transformed into a single, durable yarn. Looking back across history, the origin of this technique is remarkably ancient; within the Paleolithic period, approximately 30,000 years ago, traces of twists applied to wild flax have already been confirmed.

Depending on the number and direction of twists, variations are brought about in the volume, hardness, and elasticity of the yarn. Among these, yarn to which a strong twist is applied is classified as highly twisted yarn. Through the intense undulating nature of this yarn, a distinctive texture characterized by uneven surface ripples is generated on the fabric surface, yielding a crisp texture that does not cling to the skin.

Garments utilizing this highly twisted yarn, which is also integrated into the creations of MITTAN, may undergo temporary elongation caused by their own weight and the movements of the body during wear. However, the original dimensions are restored when the fabric is passed through water, reshaped, and dried. As a result of repeated wearing and washing, the tension inherent within the yarn is released, and the fabric becomes more supple, developing into a piece that conforms to the wearer’s skin over time.

Not limited to such highly twisted yarn, a twist is imparted to the fibers in nearly all products of MITTAN. Simply by controlling the number of twists applied to a single strand of yarn, softness, hardness, and tactile texture can be expressed at will. No matter how far tools have evolved, this simple principle remains unaltered. This technology, which has been continuously refined since the Paleolithic period to shape the culture of clothing, is regarded as a universal wisdom accumulated by humanity, possessing a deep importance.