tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59092367768761617102024-03-18T21:51:10.479-07:00Do It Yourself Home Shatnez LabFollow me as I share my Shatnez checking adventures ....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909236776876161710.post-2789676116001590862016-06-05T17:03:00.001-07:002016-06-05T17:20:41.297-07:00The Difference Between Flax Fiber and Linen Fiber<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
BS"D<br />
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Although linen is derived from the flax plant, the linen fiber is a more refined fiber than the coarse flax fiber. I'm going to show you different pictures that contrast between a coarse flax fiber and a more refined linen fiber.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBvdiiJXpq0v6aKZ81gBFwRFlmG1v5jYa0xEKYNmL9faBq62zjLkZhL0SXu99WMfW50ab0Atka9qU37yNvrLaAj6J5ImN1kish20GcrpwaFM4OCs7Asu7TCUiCZu3rAbevjhQRElscqcJ/s1600/Coarser+Flax+Fiber+With+Nodes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBvdiiJXpq0v6aKZ81gBFwRFlmG1v5jYa0xEKYNmL9faBq62zjLkZhL0SXu99WMfW50ab0Atka9qU37yNvrLaAj6J5ImN1kish20GcrpwaFM4OCs7Asu7TCUiCZu3rAbevjhQRElscqcJ/s400/Coarser+Flax+Fiber+With+Nodes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coarser Flax Fiber Showing Cross Nodes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzQjLukYJJ9ExV8WP7mTZ1bR9xMhEjYP72fuw4r-AhyxrA_HJEjNsXgczEwV15rfg_S4bfGErQwXI8_5g7zoHAstvP-cnkBWWAX6DOFZGcxmd6qafiRx_IJPw8S4uTp2YPN0S5R0oePOg/s1600/Finer+Linen+Fiber+With+Nodes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzQjLukYJJ9ExV8WP7mTZ1bR9xMhEjYP72fuw4r-AhyxrA_HJEjNsXgczEwV15rfg_S4bfGErQwXI8_5g7zoHAstvP-cnkBWWAX6DOFZGcxmd6qafiRx_IJPw8S4uTp2YPN0S5R0oePOg/s400/Finer+Linen+Fiber+With+Nodes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finer Linen Fiber Showing Cross Nodes Taken from Embroidery Thread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzVp-HzzqgCALP3q7AyUX8IhyxQg_yMf1_xzQ_R6kMGX_J8m3ByiAksixv9DHHPeGOe9Yb97TKLss6SssNxSPJS5aK4lF0t6mbI0NmI7m7cdHeZYvbhB08NZwXb_kN-mie4PC22t8bG-K/s1600/Finer+Linen+Fiber+With+Nodes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzVp-HzzqgCALP3q7AyUX8IhyxQg_yMf1_xzQ_R6kMGX_J8m3ByiAksixv9DHHPeGOe9Yb97TKLss6SssNxSPJS5aK4lF0t6mbI0NmI7m7cdHeZYvbhB08NZwXb_kN-mie4PC22t8bG-K/s640/Finer+Linen+Fiber+With+Nodes+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">160X Finer Linen Fiber showing Cross Nodes from Linen Fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuuCv9f1T_IQYWi7bzVUU_jNBydFx79pAYlqEdoUldUcMUNt1VugusOWPCzl3_dI6fUB86yjYWxu5pmXZ3oOXKkwrE8-aiMU3v_6_oBP6gY1kT8UfzcFYiJlchSjBR37N5qI89XPiKlw6/s1600/Finer+Linen+Fiber+With+Nodes+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuuCv9f1T_IQYWi7bzVUU_jNBydFx79pAYlqEdoUldUcMUNt1VugusOWPCzl3_dI6fUB86yjYWxu5pmXZ3oOXKkwrE8-aiMU3v_6_oBP6gY1kT8UfzcFYiJlchSjBR37N5qI89XPiKlw6/s640/Finer+Linen+Fiber+With+Nodes+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">160X Finer Linen Fiber showing Cross Nodes from Linen Fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGcqsy3KzlVALVCM13vv06WuiH4xCou1JPu4Xdze4eB9w4naPlHAyyAiC7m3wdQcHnMNbwSlKGxsm6EQE6fjzu2-iUIT_a2IDHSSIz5vUzSM2iFHMP3ztrZOygEoq8COG_08Z3lDoNaZ9/s1600/Flax+and+Linen+Fibers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGcqsy3KzlVALVCM13vv06WuiH4xCou1JPu4Xdze4eB9w4naPlHAyyAiC7m3wdQcHnMNbwSlKGxsm6EQE6fjzu2-iUIT_a2IDHSSIz5vUzSM2iFHMP3ztrZOygEoq8COG_08Z3lDoNaZ9/s400/Flax+and+Linen+Fibers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixture of Coarse Flax and Refined Linen Fibers in the Same Fabric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909236776876161710.post-31978105289483847852016-06-05T15:56:00.000-07:002016-06-05T15:56:52.339-07:00How to Distinguish between Wool, Cashmere and Mohair Fibers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
BS"D<br />
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The prohibition against wearing shatnez applies only to wool and linen. Wool has to come from sheep. Cashmere and Mohair are derived from goats and not sheep. Wool is often mixed in with cashmere and/or mohair. How do we distinguish between these three fibers? It's not easy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-URGHZEg1s2MpKfNttuRdsmGfG0Zs2EBf3UwWatJJjCLgLTU5JpEvYcBBdQLC1DkhqZpoIq_Xbc11qluKbOZ4uD30Xo1S36TCNt21pVaLunM3gU3uzOOCwszAy-TMZIlPkvPUvpgb7Cw/s1600/cashmere+x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-URGHZEg1s2MpKfNttuRdsmGfG0Zs2EBf3UwWatJJjCLgLTU5JpEvYcBBdQLC1DkhqZpoIq_Xbc11qluKbOZ4uD30Xo1S36TCNt21pVaLunM3gU3uzOOCwszAy-TMZIlPkvPUvpgb7Cw/s400/cashmere+x600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUfXntC-L2Sb_ZxfJmqJBiuO0nSJ2VQHlHLpJIjSxZn2zMcCgcsquuXftLSt462k2wjONZf3lp7vhSewTrDMhYxo8vuHAJuOYH-gxeXYUJ4XHp_dymvhhADc7FwH-8uaEAqEbCm08_t8n/s1600/mohair+x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUfXntC-L2Sb_ZxfJmqJBiuO0nSJ2VQHlHLpJIjSxZn2zMcCgcsquuXftLSt462k2wjONZf3lp7vhSewTrDMhYxo8vuHAJuOYH-gxeXYUJ4XHp_dymvhhADc7FwH-8uaEAqEbCm08_t8n/s400/mohair+x600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoEwdau8sWqOXMrUlkt6jgZ0vabDNlgi0MeLhLlDCqy8ebpCZW5b1zPOC7SYaydMwkXbftYB1h4exEtueumRgOmGhLNOyZp4KZsBDZcS28vUoR6awKH3qD-Tpsv83i-Bx__PVVjgiaqUG/s1600/wool+x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoEwdau8sWqOXMrUlkt6jgZ0vabDNlgi0MeLhLlDCqy8ebpCZW5b1zPOC7SYaydMwkXbftYB1h4exEtueumRgOmGhLNOyZp4KZsBDZcS28vUoR6awKH3qD-Tpsv83i-Bx__PVVjgiaqUG/s400/wool+x600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The above pictures are not obtained from my microscope, but were snapshots taken on this <b><i><a href="http://www.naturalfibres2009.org/en/fibres/gallery.html" rel="nofollow">site</a></i></b>. The powerful Java application showcases many natural fibers in high resolution.<br />
<br />
By comparing and contrasting the three fibers - Wool, Mohair and Cashmere, I am able to observe the following.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Wool fiber exhibits the most compact scales; there is less room between the overlapping of scales</li>
<li>Mohair fiber seems to have the widest diameter, however coarse wool can have the widest diameter of 40+ microns (micrometer).</li>
<li>Cashmere fiber appears to have the smallest diameter.</li>
</ul>
I happened to have samples of a popular fabric called Finest Worsted and Mohair Made in England used in tailored suits. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOxrTt_djPBaVpiCyq6Vvp2Pyy-pz7Zomnvwq-Ruqgd1Bd_LXnIaZEuZ9tcHYSi0gXTeT6vOT-sgkR2DMqf-xJzRcShprtRFpfM6RJoFaDnWUyWjSwPZhfEZ-ILTFKqqahULim9eFLIrO/s1600/finest+worsted+mohair+made+in+england.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOxrTt_djPBaVpiCyq6Vvp2Pyy-pz7Zomnvwq-Ruqgd1Bd_LXnIaZEuZ9tcHYSi0gXTeT6vOT-sgkR2DMqf-xJzRcShprtRFpfM6RJoFaDnWUyWjSwPZhfEZ-ILTFKqqahULim9eFLIrO/s320/finest+worsted+mohair+made+in+england.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is what I found under the microscope. I am able to distinguish between the two fibers based on the difference in diameter and density of the scales. Scales are closer together in wool fibers than mohair fibers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmvh809rUBHct-f56n6cmSKC2e-wpsMflzK8hv_K8epv6y8kAs2OcQzmUPs65HZUNOXFlNO_uSnjkTBLpdfyt4UknGM-mUxHlVcwCNQvX9VJmYC1xak_KKXz7nxcEl-stRfVT_B1cCqO-/s1600/400x+wool%252Bmohair+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmvh809rUBHct-f56n6cmSKC2e-wpsMflzK8hv_K8epv6y8kAs2OcQzmUPs65HZUNOXFlNO_uSnjkTBLpdfyt4UknGM-mUxHlVcwCNQvX9VJmYC1xak_KKXz7nxcEl-stRfVT_B1cCqO-/s400/400x+wool%252Bmohair+07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wool and Mohair Blend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also have a sample of Wool and Cashmere blend and this is what I found. I am able to distinguish between the two based on the diameter of the fibers. The wool fiber is coarser and wider in diameter than the cashmere.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSVWUSy4rxgGG6ia7GxNm5n3WmBDstac57BTywrGyBtlKGOz_0Yr03LN2FAHbthcY9wqpvKWd0VEw3QGKpJWO27GouYpGNxg3BpVzx_yV-nHHRnx7IVJZ3Jkc-0r4d91krMzl0W0J1LHC/s1600/160x+Wool+Cashmere+01+LABEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSVWUSy4rxgGG6ia7GxNm5n3WmBDstac57BTywrGyBtlKGOz_0Yr03LN2FAHbthcY9wqpvKWd0VEw3QGKpJWO27GouYpGNxg3BpVzx_yV-nHHRnx7IVJZ3Jkc-0r4d91krMzl0W0J1LHC/s400/160x+Wool+Cashmere+01+LABEL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wool and Cashmere Blend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5909236776876161710.post-48524580387337844972016-06-05T10:06:00.003-07:002016-06-05T15:13:06.658-07:00How to Distinguish between Flax and Hemp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
BS"D<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Problem</h2>
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Linen, derived from the flax plant, is a more refined fiber of flax and is available in fabric and threads. Hemp, derived from a Cannabis plant, is also a popular fiber used in fabric. I haven't yet seen thread made of hemp. You can find hemp fabric being sold <a href="http://diyshatnezlab.blogspot.com/p/fabric-samples.html">online </a>in woven and knit, in pure or blended fabrics.<br />
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When linen or hemp is viewed under a regular microscope, they both exhibit bamboo-like appearance with cross nodes. How do we then distinguish between the two?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBMUIxB79dPoFx0ZtzY_NN-zhuz8EHxFlD0MWG6T9WFaQwF5Cp8MtN_K_ALBAH6jaEX-wC_bEreI2OIFupVL6pZ123YKaNAgOMxscIid0No6RQXGLxnqhyphenhyphen01oqdeEwI1wilu3Uonju2xY/s1600/160+Hemp+Canvas+01+Label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBMUIxB79dPoFx0ZtzY_NN-zhuz8EHxFlD0MWG6T9WFaQwF5Cp8MtN_K_ALBAH6jaEX-wC_bEreI2OIFupVL6pZ123YKaNAgOMxscIid0No6RQXGLxnqhyphenhyphen01oqdeEwI1wilu3Uonju2xY/s400/160+Hemp+Canvas+01+Label.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hemp Fibers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95EbaiNkuwQPqIMZTFiU0sqZ3m5X-V0UmYc_9GW9kJaSRVphJmJ_p5v5VTc4hLu8RQpfHwEIt6reqo2RbBr9apl7-Nqga3FkIgh8rE9acQi63CPov9vZDYsnW7AjMh7_Hh7Uv6a0OzTuG/s1600/160+irish+linen+05+label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95EbaiNkuwQPqIMZTFiU0sqZ3m5X-V0UmYc_9GW9kJaSRVphJmJ_p5v5VTc4hLu8RQpfHwEIt6reqo2RbBr9apl7-Nqga3FkIgh8rE9acQi63CPov9vZDYsnW7AjMh7_Hh7Uv6a0OzTuG/s400/160+irish+linen+05+label.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linen Fibers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Solution</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Dry Twist Test </h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This test can be used to distinguish between linen/flax and hemp. Here are the steps I took to implement the test.</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Extract 3 yarn samples about 5-cm long each from a pure 100% linen/flax fabric and a pure 100% hemp fabric.</li>
<li>Soak each yarn in its own small container of filtered water.</li>
<li>Warm up the oven to 215-degrees Fahrenheit. </li>
<li>Place an oven-safe tray or dish in it for about 20-minutes.</li>
<li>In about 15-minutes, take the wet yarn samples and place it flat on a block of wood, leaving about 2-cm hanging from the block. Take a piece of masking tape and secure the yarn in place. Repeat this step for the other yarn. </li>
<li>Remove the tray from the oven after 20-minutes.</li>
<li>Place the woods with the affixed yarns inside the tray and let it dry.</li>
<li>Watch how the loose hanging yarn orient itself while drying.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<b><u>Note</u></b>: To minimize errors in the test, make sure to leave about 2-cm of yarn loose off the block. If you leave too much (> 3-cm) or too little (< 1-cm), you may not get an accurate result.<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
</ol>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Results </h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A hemp yarn while drying naturally twists at a counter-clockwise direction, while a flax/linen yarn twists at clockwise direction. </div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Evidence</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yUfYN3ubKB9wVEzovrycrxehS4PNIUOuuMHjnvEg48InLML0EmjY7FYDsMtLlCnhEbOt1Frn446vJfMTnKAQozmW4OCNBPQMgRXpGI8mC6ioUsZKIuNxL9F2pXRnr8bWLRb6GLgwHiOw/s1600/cotton-linen-hemp-twists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yUfYN3ubKB9wVEzovrycrxehS4PNIUOuuMHjnvEg48InLML0EmjY7FYDsMtLlCnhEbOt1Frn446vJfMTnKAQozmW4OCNBPQMgRXpGI8mC6ioUsZKIuNxL9F2pXRnr8bWLRb6GLgwHiOw/s640/cotton-linen-hemp-twists.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also added cotton yarn into the test as you can see. Cotton fibers twist both ways.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0