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The fineness1 of wool fibres is of fundamental importance to spinners and weavers. The finer the fibres, and the fewer the number of fibres present in a cross section of yarn produced from the fibres, the more flexible the yarn. These factors are major determinants of the quality of wool fabrics, and this is why the fineness of wool is such a significant determinant of the value of raw wool.
1The term “Mean Fibre Diameter” in the context of wool fibres is misleading, since it implies that wool fibres have a circular cross section. In describing the thickness or thinness of wool fibres it is more accurate to use the term “fibre fineness” rather than “fibre diameter”. The word “fineness” does not imply any particular geometry for the shape of the cross section. However, because of the extent of its general usage, “fibre diameter” is used interchangeably with “fibre fineness” throughout this document.