What Does “Yarns to Be Finished” Mean?

In the world of yarns – especially those intended for artisanal and industrial knitwear – you often come across the description “yarns to be finished”.
But what does it really mean? And above all: what kind of finishing is required and how is it done?

Let’s clarify this once and for all.

What Are Yarns to Be Finished?

A yarn to be finished is a yarn that has not yet undergone the final finishing processes.
In practice, it is a raw or semi-processed yarn, designed to be knitted (or woven) and finished afterward on the completed garment.

These yarns:

• have not yet been washed

• have not been fulled or stabilized

• may feel firmer, duller, or more irregular

• reveal their true quality only after finishing

👉 This is a technical choice, not a defect.

Why Do Yarns to Be Finished Exist?

Yarns to be finished exist because finishing the garment after knitting allows for better results than finishing the yarn on the cone.

In particular, this process allows:

• greater final softness

• better stitch definition

• increased fullness or “bloom”

• control over hand feel and volume

They are widely used for:

• cashmere

• recycled cashmere

• wool

• fine blends (wool/silk, wool/cashmere, etc.)

How a Yarn to Be Finished Looks (Before Finishing)

Before finishing, a yarn to be finished may appear:

• drier to the touch

• less soft

• visually flatter

• with less-defined stitches

⚠️ This often causes confusion for those unfamiliar with the process, who judge the yarn before its natural completion.

What the Finishing Process Involves (On the Garment)

Finishing is not done on the yarn cone, but on the finished garment (sweater, scarf, accessory, sample).

1. Washing

The garment is washed in water using gentle detergents specifically designed for natural fibers.

This step:

• removes spinning and processing oils

• relaxes the fiber

• begins opening up the yarn structure

2. Fulling (When Required)

Fulling is a controlled mechanical action that opens and blooms the fiber.

Main effects:

• the garment becomes slightly more compact

• the yarn blooms

• softness increases

• thermal insulation improves

⚠️ Not all yarns require fulling: it depends on yarn count, fiber type, and the desired result.

3. Rinsing and Stabilization

After treatment, the garment is:

• thoroughly rinsed

• stabilized to the correct dimensions

• prepared for drying

This step is essential to prevent future distortion.

4. Drying and Resting

Drying is done:

• flat

• or in specialized low-temperature machines

The garment then needs time to rest, allowing the natural fiber to fully stabilize.

How the Yarn Feels After Finishing

After finishing, the transformation is clear:

• softer

• fuller

• warmer

• better stitch definition

• a final appearance consistent with the fiber’s quality

👉 This is when the yarn reveals its true value.

Yarns to Be Finished ≠ Defective Yarns

It is important to clearly state:

A yarn to be finished is not a defective yarn,
it is a yarn designed for a proper production process.

Judging it before finishing is like judging a garment before its final wash.

When to Choose a Yarn to Be Finished

Choose a yarn to be finished if:

• you knit (by hand or by machine)

• you produce finished garments

• you want maximum control over the final result

• you understand (or want to learn) the finishing process

If instead you are looking for a yarn ready to use without any finishing, you need a pre-finished yarn.

Yarns to be finished are part of the tradition of high-quality textile and knitwear production.
They require knowledge, but they reward it with superior results.

Understanding what they are and how they work means taking a real step forward in yarn culture.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO TREAT YOUR WORK AT HOME, CLICK HERE.

PLEASE ALWAYS MAKE A SAMPLE AND WASH IT BEFORE DOING THE FINAL WORK.