Abstract: Novel self-crimping fibers and methods for their preparation. Embodiments are provided in which fibers are melt-spun from a non-elastomeric polyamide and a thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of a polyether block polyamide copolymer and a polycaprolactone polyester. The fibers may be knit or woven into textile articles including, inter alia, hosiery, pantyhose and stockings.

Abstract: The sticking between an array of melt spun eccentric bicomponent filaments converged together into yarn is avoided by selecting the filaments being converged so that the thin sheath regions of the filaments do not contact one another and conducting the convergence in two steps if the number of filaments required for the yarn is too great for convergence in one step while avoiding the aforesaid contact.

Abstract: A composite yarn, which is bulky when relaxed and elongates to at least 100 percent greater length under tension, with quick recovery of the relaxed condition when tension is removed, is composed of uncrimped elastic yarn and at least five relatively inelastic continuous filaments entangled about the elastic yarn to provide protection and desirable textile properties. The composite yarn can be made at unusually high speeds by entangling the relatively inelastic filaments about stretched elastic yarn with jets of high velocity fluid impinged at an angle of 90.degree..+-.45.degree. to the yarn axis, using a filament feed rate which avoids formation of filament loops in the stretched yarn. Examples illustrate combining spandex elastic yarn at 4X stretch with nylon filaments at zero percent overfeed, when using feed rates of up to 789 yards per minute.