After harvesting the cotton, it is converted into cotton hanks. A hank is a standard measure for a length of cotton yarn that measures 840 yards (768 metres). The process of converting cotton fibres into hanks can be done by either hand spinning or mill spinning. Hand spinning can be quite complex as the strength and fineness of the yarn is dependent on the spinner’s skill. However, nowadays mechanical mill spun yarn is used extensively by handloom weavers across India.