Weft

In weaving, weft or woof is the yarn which is drawn through the warp yarns to create cloth. In North America, it is sometimes referred to as the "fill" or the "filling yarn".^[1][2]

Because the weft does not have to be stretched on a loom in the way that the warp is, it can generally be less strong.

Etymology

The words woof and weft derive ultimately from the Old English word wefan, to weave.

Metaphorical use

The expression "woof and warp" (also "warp and woof", "warp and weft") is sometimes used metaphorically as one might similarly use "fabric"; e.g., "the warp and woof of a student's life" means "the fabric of a student's life." The expression is used as a metaphor for the underlying structure on which something is built.

Other cultures

In India, the weft is referred to as "baana", which is derived from another Hindi word "bun na" or "bunai" which means making with threads or strings, as is done in cane weaving and other forms of primitive weaving techniques.

In hairdressing

Weft is a hairdressing term for temporary hair extensions which are glued into a person's hair.^[3]

Notes

References

• Barber, E. J. W. (1991). Prehistoric Textiles. Princeton University Press. ISBN 069100224x. 
• Burnham, Dorothy K. (1980). Warp and Weft: A Textile Terminology. Royal Ontario Museum. ISBN 0888542569.