hackled

Hackled is the past participle of hackle and is used to describe materials or items that have been processed using a hackle. A hackle is a comb-like frame set with numerous pins or needles. Its primary function is to comb and align short fibers, separate impurities, and produce a uniform supply of long, parallel fibers for spinning or weaving. During hackling, fibers are drawn through successive hackles with progressively finer pins; the result is hackled fiber, suitable for worsted spinning or fine linen and other bast fibers.

In flax and other bast fiber work, hackling is a standard stage between retting and spinning. It helps remove shorter fibers (tow) and aligns long fibers to improve strength, luster, and evenness in the final yarn. In wool and cotton processing, the term can appear as combing, but the practice serves a similar purpose: to produce a longer, parallel fiber for smooth yarn and to remove impurities. Hackled yarns tend to be stronger and more uniform than carded counterparts.

In fly tying, hackled also refers to the use of hackle feathers mounted on a hook. A hackled fly includes a feather collar or ribbing formed by securing a hackle; such flies are designed to create movement and buoyancy in water.

See also: hackle, combing, flax, worsted spinning, fly tying.