KITYANG CLOTH

A plain weave fabric made on hand looms in the Kityang district of China. Ramie yarns are used which are hand prepared. The worker selects the fibre and soaks it in fresh water for 30 minutes. The fibre is then split into threads of the desired size at the thick end and pulled apart. Two threads are then joined by doubling the small end over the thick end of another thread and rolling on the knee. The only twisting is where the threads join. This process is repeated until the desired length is obtained, the thread being run into a basket and later sun-dried. The cloth is made in many grades from coarse to fine and from 15-in. to 18-in. wide. Usually dyed navy or sky blue.