Kalansilmä

Kalansilmä is a Finnish term that literally translates to "fish eye." It is often used colloquially to describe a particular type of small, round, glassy imperfection that can appear in textiles, particularly in knitted or woven fabrics. These imperfections are characterized by their slightly raised, shiny surface, which can resemble the eye of a fish.

The cause of kalansilmä can vary depending on the textile manufacturing process. In knitting, it might be a dropped stitch or a tension issue where a loop is pulled too tight or too loose. In weaving, it could relate to a broken thread or a knot in the yarn. These anomalies disrupt the regular pattern of the fabric, creating a noticeable blemish.

While considered a defect, the prominence and impact of kalansilmä can range from barely perceptible to quite obvious. The size and color of the yarn, as well as the overall design of the fabric, can influence how noticeable these imperfections are. In some cases, the term might also be used more broadly to describe any small, circular, and slightly shiny mark on a surface, though its primary association is with textiles.