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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.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A pirn is a textile tool used in weaving: a rod or spool onto which weft thread is wound for use in a shuttle. It is typically fixed in place and delivers thread from the end rather than from the centre. Pirns are commonly made of wood or plastic and are associated with shuttle weaving and automatic loom mechanisms.

Definition and use

A pirn is a bobbin-like object used in weaving to hold weft thread inside a shuttle. The thread is unwound from the end of the pirn as the shuttle moves across the loom.

Design and materials

Pirns are commonly described as slightly tapered rods or spools, often with a broader base that fits onto a pin in the shuttle. They are commonly made from wood or plastic.

Role in weaving technology

Pirns became especially important with the flying shuttle and are used in other end-delivery shuttle systems. In industrial settings, looms may use automatic pirn-changing mechanisms to continue weaving without interruption.

Word history and regional usage

The term is also found in Scots, where it can mean a spool, bobbin, or reel more generally. Historical Scots dictionaries record additional extended meanings and related verb forms.

Key facts

  • A pirn holds weft yarn for weaving in a shuttle.
  • Unlike a bobbin, a pirn is generally fixed in place and releases thread from the end.
  • Pirns are usually tapered and often made of wood or plastic.
  • They became important with the development of the flying shuttle.
  • On some power looms, used pirns are removed and replaced automatically.
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Canadian context

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

Frequently asked 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.
Why are pirns tapered?
Their taper helps thread unwind smoothly and fit securely in the shuttle during weaving.
What kind of looms use pirns?
Pirns are associated with shuttle weaving, especially flying-shuttle systems and some power looms with automatic pirn-changing mechanisms.

References

  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.