HARNESS TWINE
The size of harness twine used varies greatly; some prefer a fine, and others a heavy, twine. For the sleepers and hangers, 4 ply of 22’s or 5 ply of 30’s linen yarn is a very good medium size, and 4 ply of 14’s or 5 ply of 18’s or 20’s is a very good size for the neck or body of the harness.
Sometimes, for heavy damask, cable cord is used for the body of the harness, and is a good wearing cord; it is especially suited when the neck cords are fastened to the sleepers below the cumber board. This cord is made of good flax yarn; 5 ply of 30’s are twisted together, and three of these cords are then twisted together, or 3 ply of 18’s afterwards made 3 ply. A better size for medium work is 5 ply of 35’s made 3 ply, or 3 ply of 20’s or 22’s made 3 ply. Heavy harness twine requires to have heavier lingoes, particularly on those parts of the harness that are much slanted, in order to have the same effect on them that they would have on light twine. Some go to the opposite extreme, and use very light twine, such as 4 ply of 30’s, which is only fit for very light work in a narrow loom, where there will be but little friction on the cumber board, and where no heck is required. Lighter twine will suit better for a hand loom than for a power loom; 4 ply of 30’s for the harness of a hand loom, with lingoes of 50 or 60 to the lb., would do very well for a light cotton warp.