FABRIC-EVOKED PRICKLE IN WORSTED SPUN SINGLE JERSEY FABRICS .3. WEAR TRIAL STUDIES OF ABSOLUTE FABRIC ACCEPTABILITY

Using wools with different diameter characteristics, the acceptability of worsted spun single 12 gauge jersey fabric for next-to-skin wear i s assessed by wearing sleeves against bare arms. This assessment is un dertaken with both skilled adult judges and an unskilled group of chil dren aged 9 to 12 years. Both groups find sleeves made From fine wool to be comfortable and suitable for next-to-skin wear, with discomfort/ prickle only occurring with the coarser fibers. Using the known diamet er characteristics of commercially available tops, this work shows tha t the acceptability for next-to-skin wear changes rapidly from approxi mately 90% for 20.5 mu m wool to 50% for 23.5 mu m wool.