Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Textile

Pirn

A pirn is a textile tool used in weaving: a rod or spool onto which weft thread is wound for use in a shuttle.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

A pirn is a textile tool used in weaving to hold weft thread inside a shuttle. Unlike a bobbin, it releases thread from the end.

What it is

A pirn is a rod or spool onto which weft thread is wound for use in a shuttle. It is fixed in place and delivers thread from the end rather than the centre. Pirns are typically tapered and have a flared base to fit securely in the shuttle.

Design and materials

Pirns are commonly made of wood or plastic, though paper or other materials are also used. Their tapered shape helps thread unwind smoothly. The flared base fits onto a pin inside the shuttle.

Role in weaving technology

Pirns became important with the development of the flying shuttle. In industrial power looms, used pirns can be removed and replaced automatically, allowing continuous weaving.

In short

  • A pirn holds weft yarn for weaving in a shuttle.
  • Unlike a bobbin, a pirn is fixed in place and releases thread from the end.
  • Pirns are usually tapered and made of wood or plastic.
  • They are essential for flying-shuttle and end-delivery shuttle systems.
Canadian angle

Pirns are relevant to textile production and weaving terminology used in English-language craft, industrial, and historical textile contexts in Canada.

Quick questions

What is a pirn?
A pirn is a rod or spool onto which weft thread is wound for use in weaving.
How is a pirn different from a bobbin?
A pirn is usually fixed in place and releases thread from the end, while a bobbin typically releases thread from the centre.
What are pirns made of?
Pirns are commonly made of wood or plastic, though textile glossaries also describe similar supports made from paper or other materials.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirn
    Supports: Basic definition, shape, materials, use in weaving, and relation to flying shuttles and automatic changing mechanisms.
  2. Scots Language Centre — https://www.scotslanguage.com/articles/view/id/4732
    Supports: Scots-language meanings and historical usage of pirn.
  3. Dictionaries of the Scots Language — https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pirn_n1_v
    Supports: Historical and regional Scots definitions and extended senses of pirn.
  4. MAP Academy — https://mapacademy.io/glossary/pirn/
    Supports: Textile glossary definition and description of pirn as a wooden or plastic rod for weft yarn.