Rope Twist


S or Z? Right-handed or left-handed? We explain.

Rope Twist

Twist in spun yarn or rope is often labelled S–twist or S–laid (left–handed) and, more commonly Z–twist or Z–laid (right–handed), due to the respective left and right of the central sections of the two characters S and Z. 

To visually determine the twist, look down a length of rope; the rotation of the twists progressing away from you, left or right, reveals their direction. 

Filaments of jute fibre are twisted in one direction into yarn. Yarns are twisted together in the opposite direction into strands. Strands are finally twisted in the original direction to make rope. 

All AMATSUNAWA rope is Z–twisted (right–handed) with the optimum balance.