To pull raw bast fibers, such as flax or hemp, through a bed of sharp steel pins known as a hackle. This combing action removes the short, tangled fibers (tow) and aligns the long, smooth fibers (line) parallel to one another. Thorough heckling is required to produce fine, high-quality linen yarn.
Heard on the job
You have to heckle the flax until the stricks are completely smooth and free of tow.
Also heard as
- hackle