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Description: In weaving, “denting” refers to the process of placing threads (or yarns) into the reed, a comb-like tool that is a part of the beater and helps maintain the spacing of the warp threads (density) on the loom. A reed has slots called dents and comes in a variety of dents per inch (most commonly 5, 6, 8, 10, 12) or dents per 10 cm (30/10, 40/10, 60/10). The process known as “sleying the reed” involves threading warp threads through these dents. Along with the dents per inch (dpi) of the reed, the number of threads sleyed in each dent affects the density and texture of the woven fabric. If more threads are placed in each dent, the fabric will be denser, and fewer threads per dent will result in a looser, more open weave. When working with different yarns, sometimes the number of ends per inch (epi) is not an even multiple that works easily with the dpi in the reed(s) available to you. In that instance, you might have to sley a sequence of 1-2-2-2-2. Sometimes these “oddball” dents with a different number of threads remain visible in the finished fabric and sometimes they wash out. The question is, Is there a science to when and why some denting marks stick around and others wash out? This article explores that question and comes up with some valuable answers!