Spinning Count is an old method to measure handspinning wool at Rocky Sheep Co. of Longmont, Colorado.

Fiber Diameter and How It Affects You Average fiber diameter is the most important wool fiber property in the context of quality and value. An increase in fiber diameter results in increased fabric harshness, flexural rigidity and abrasion resistance, while its propensity for felting decreases. In carding and combing, fiber breakage and noil production decrease as fiber diameter increases. Diameters larger than 30 microns or 50s in grade are stiff enough to be "prickly" to most peoples skins and, therefore, not suitable to wear next to the skin. Yet these and courser fibers make wonderfully, durable rugs and upholstery. The fiber diameter of wool is expressed by two different systems, one is based on the English Worsted Yarn Count System (spinning count or wool grade) and the other is a scientific method that measures the actual diameter of the fiber in microns.
Spinning Count or Wool Grade It is interesting to note that the numbers used to express wool grade are the same as those used in the English Worsted Yarn Count System. When used to quantify yarn count, the number and letter 's' represent the number of 560 yard lengths of yarn that can be spun from one pound of top. Each 560 yard length is called a hank. Top is a continuous untwisted strand of combed wool in which the fibers lie parallel, with short fibers having been combed out as noil. At one time, it was theoretically possible to manufacture 64s yarn from 64s wool. Because of increased machine speeds and greater productivity, this is no longer practical in today's worsted industry. The double meaning of the symbol for count has been a source of confusion for many people involved with the U. S. sheep and wool industries. This system is being replaced by a measurement of diameter in microns. The spinning count varies from finer than 80s wool like you find on superfine Merinos bred in Australia; to coarser than 36s fleece like you find on Cotswold, Lincoln or Romney breeds.
Micron Measurement Micron is shorthand for micrometer, which is equal to one-millionth of a meter. The range of average diameter for the major sheep breeds varies from under 17 microns to over 40 microns. Merinos and Rambouillets typically have micron counts between 17 (80s)and 25. Corriedales and Columbias range from 23 (62s) to 25 (58s) microns, while Cotswolds, Lincolns and Romneys range from 32 (46s) to 40 (36s) microns.
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