Snag (textiles)
Encyclopedia
In textile
s, a snag is created when a sharp or rough object pulls, plucks, scratches, or drags a group of fibres, yarn
, or a yarn segment from its normal pattern. Snags can be classified into three types:
Objects that often cause snags are rough fingernails or toenails, or hangnail
s.
When a snag occurs in certain fine textiles like pantyhose
, it is called a run. This is because the snag breaks at least one fibre, causing the knit to come undone in a line which runs up the grain of the fabric
.
In clothing
, snags can also occur in coarse textiles like sweater
s, or in certain types of sport
jersey
s such as for soccer (football). These are common in synthetic fabric
s like polyester
, which have extremely fine fibres even when they are used to make coarser fabrics.
Snags of this type (#3) may sometimes be repaired or minimized by firmly pressing with opposed finger
and thumb
at each end of the pulled thread (to prevent it from pulling further from each side), and gently pulling apart the bunched fabric, allowing the bunched fibers at the site of the snag to be drawn back in. Holding one end this way with one hand and using two fingers of the other hand on one side of the fabric (opposing the thumb on the other side) while slowly drawing them toward the snag site may also accomplish this. Any remaining fibres still protruding can then be trimmed off to keep them from snagging again.
The same characteristics which make polyester fabrics prone to snags also lead it to be used for Halloween
. Artificial cobweb
s are produced that can be stretched over objects for spook
y effect. This stays in place because it snags on objects like shrub
s or pushpins. Artificial spider
s (often supplied in the same package) and other objects can in turn be snagged into the cobweb.
Other things can also snag on various objects. A fishing line
can snag on a tree
, for example. Similarly, a dead tree is also called a snag, as it can catch boaters (or hikers) off-guard. The term is also used colloquially to describe any unexpected circumstance which causes a delay in a project or any given situation.
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
s, a snag is created when a sharp or rough object pulls, plucks, scratches, or drags a group of fibres, yarn
Yarn
Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery and ropemaking. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manufactured sewing threads may be finished with wax or...
, or a yarn segment from its normal pattern. Snags can be classified into three types:
- Snags that have a protrusion and no distortion,
- Snags that have distortion and no protrusion,
- Snags that have both protrusion and distortion.
Objects that often cause snags are rough fingernails or toenails, or hangnail
Hangnail
A hangnail or agnail is a small, torn piece of skin on a fingernail or toenail. Unlike whitlows, hangnails are usually caused by dry skin or nail biting, and may be prevented with proper moisturization of the skin....
s.
When a snag occurs in certain fine textiles like pantyhose
Pantyhose
Pantyhose are sheer, close-fitting legwear, covering the wearer's body from the waist to the feet. Mostly considered to be a woman's and girl's garment, pantyhose appeared in the 1960s, and they provided a convenient alternative to stockings...
, it is called a run. This is because the snag breaks at least one fibre, causing the knit to come undone in a line which runs up the grain of the fabric
Fabric
A fabric is a textile material, short for "textile fabric".Fabric may also refer to:*Fabric , the spatial and geometric configuration of elements within a rock*Fabric , a nightclub in London, England...
.
In clothing
Clothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
, snags can also occur in coarse textiles like sweater
Sweater
A sweater, jumper, pullover, sweatshirt, jersey or guernsey is a garment intended to cover the torso and arms. It is often worn over a shirt, blouse, T-shirt, or other top, but may also be worn alone as a top...
s, or in certain types of sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
jersey
Jersey (clothing)
A jersey is an item of knitted clothing, traditionally in wool or cotton, with sleeves, worn as a pullover, as it does not open at the front, unlike a cardigan. It is usually close-fitting and machine knitted in contrast to a guernsey that is more often hand knit with a thicker yarn...
s such as for soccer (football). These are common in synthetic fabric
Synthetic fabric
Synthetic fabrics are textiles made from synthetic fibers. They are used primarily to make clothing. A synthetic fabric is plastic fabric. It is also used to cover skin of androids so it looks human like. Some of the examples of synthetic clothings were usually made of polyester, acrylic, and nylon....
s like polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
, which have extremely fine fibres even when they are used to make coarser fabrics.
Snags of this type (#3) may sometimes be repaired or minimized by firmly pressing with opposed finger
Finger
A finger is a limb of the human body and a type of digit, an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates....
and thumb
Thumb
The thumb is the first digit of the hand. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position , the thumb is the lateral-most digit...
at each end of the pulled thread (to prevent it from pulling further from each side), and gently pulling apart the bunched fabric, allowing the bunched fibers at the site of the snag to be drawn back in. Holding one end this way with one hand and using two fingers of the other hand on one side of the fabric (opposing the thumb on the other side) while slowly drawing them toward the snag site may also accomplish this. Any remaining fibres still protruding can then be trimmed off to keep them from snagging again.
The same characteristics which make polyester fabrics prone to snags also lead it to be used for Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
. Artificial cobweb
Cobweb
-Animals:* Cobweb or spider web, silken web made by spiders* Cobweb spider or tangle web spider, any of the many spiders in the family Theridiidae* Cobwebbing, a pattern of fine lines on the face of a horse, zebra or other equid: see horse Primitive markings...
s are produced that can be stretched over objects for spook
Spook
Spook is another word for a ghost or apparition. It may also refer to:* A term used to describe espionage agents or spies, originating in the United States of America* Spook Jacobs, a Major League Baseball player in the 1950s...
y effect. This stays in place because it snags on objects like shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s or pushpins. Artificial spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
s (often supplied in the same package) and other objects can in turn be snagged into the cobweb.
Other things can also snag on various objects. A fishing line
Fishing line
A fishing line is a cord used or made for angling. Important parameters of a fishing line are its length, material, and weight...
can snag on a tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
, for example. Similarly, a dead tree is also called a snag, as it can catch boaters (or hikers) off-guard. The term is also used colloquially to describe any unexpected circumstance which causes a delay in a project or any given situation.