Whether a yarn is single or doubled (plied) affects its strength, evenness and suitability for your loom or knitting machine. Here is a quick guide.
Single yarn
A single yarn is one strand of spun fibres. It is widely used for knitting and many weaving applications, and is the base from which doubled yarns are made.
Double / TFO (two-for-one) yarn
Double yarn twists two single strands together, usually on a TFO (two-for-one) twister. Plying makes the yarn stronger, more even and more balanced — useful for weaving warps, sewing threads and fabrics that need extra durability.
When to use each
- Single — most knitting, lighter wovens, cost-sensitive runs.
- Double (TFO) — strong warps, durable wovens, smoother high-quality fabric.
What to specify
State the count and fold (for example 2/40s for a doubled 40s), the twist direction if it matters, and the end use. Your supplier can advise on the right fold for your fabric.
Sourcing
AA Enterprises supplies single and double (TFO) yarn across our full yarn range. Request a quote with your count and fold.