mispick

A mispick is a weaving defect in which a single weft yarn is inserted into the incorrect shed, or set of raised warp threads. Instead of passing over and under the correct warps according to the weave pattern, the misplaced yarn creates a line of discontinuity across the fabric width. The result is visible as a broken or displaced weft line that interrupts the intended pattern and weakens the cloth at that point.

Mispicks most often occur on looms running at high speed, where the timing between shed opening and picking (weft insertion) depends on precise mechanical synchronization. On shuttle looms, a mistimed or misfired shuttle can cause weft to be ejected into the wrong shed. On modern projectile or rapier looms, a displaced or bent pick can veer into an adjacent shed column, especially if the reed or guide rails show wear. Multiple mispicks in a small area may indicate problems with the loom's timing belt, picker clutch, or shed timing cam.

Mispicks are usually caught during inspection, either by human eye on the loom or by automated vision systems in finishing. A single mispick may be rewoven by hand if caught early, but if the misplaced yarn has already interlocked with neighboring fibers, it often must be cut out and the area reaired. In some fabrics, especially those with tight weaves or low thread counts, a mispick cannot be cleanly removed without damaging surrounding structure and may render the cloth a second or third quality.

The term "mispick" is specific to the insertion fault; it is distinct from a skipped pick (where no yarn is inserted at all) or a double pick (where two yarns enter the same shed). Each represents a different loom malfunction requiring different corrective action. The etymology reflects the old meaning of "pick" as the action of throwing or driving the shuttle across the loom, a term still in use in weaving despite the shift from shuttle to faster mechanical methods.