indirect system

Indirect systems for measuring yarn use a higher number to indicate finer yarns. These systems are based on the relationship between a yarn's length and its weight. In indirect systems, a longer yarn is needed to reach a specific weight if the yarn is finer. For example, if one pound is the standard unit of weight, a very fine yarn will be much longer than a coarse yarn to weigh one pound. Therefore, higher counts signify finer yarns. The size number indicates how much length of yarn is required to weigh one pound. Different standards exist, such as the U.S. system using hanks (specific yardages) per pound for various fibers like cotton, linen, and wool, and the Continental system using hanks of 1,000 meters per kilogram.1