endex
yarn.JPG

SCP-XXXX shortly after recovery.

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be contained in a standard chamber, and further stored in a 30 cm3 airtight transparent isolation chamber with a double-sealed opening no larger than 5 1 mm in diameter.

Personnel assigned to SCP-XXXX are to be clean-shaven, bald, and must regularly remove all excess hair. Only clothing of approved synthetic materials (see Addendum XXXX-A) is to be worn, and no unapproved fibrous material should be brought into the room.

Twice weekly, SCP-XXXX is to be measured, and 11 grams of 100% wool yarn inserted into the chamber. If SCP-XXXX is found to have a diameter <8.1 cm, an additional 10 grams of 100% cotton yarn may be inserted into the chamber. If the reduced size persists to the following inspection date, only the standard amount of wool yarn is to be delivered.

In light of Incident XXXX-A14, additional testing of SCP-XXXX is suspended until further notice.

Description: SCP-XXXX resembles a ball of yarn with an average diameter of 10.3 cm, although it may be composed of a variety of fibrous materials. Its composition is dependent on the materials it has recently been exposed to.

SCP-XXXX responds to the proximity of organic fibrous material, with a preference for materials commonly used as yarn or thread over non-textile fibers. It is less responsive to synthetic material, and typically ignores fibers with >34% synthetic material. See Addendum-XXXX-A for a full list of tested fibers.

SCP-XXXX typically responds to the presence of organic fibers from a distance of up to 5 meters, although the highest recorded distance was 9.1 meters in response to ███ ███████'s appearance for scheduled inspection, at which time it measured 12.8 cm in diameter (event filed as Incident XXXX-A14). When SCP-XXXX detects suitable material, its loose end extends toward it. The extension has been seen to hold itself up to 20 cm above the ground, but usually relies on a solid path to reach its destination. Only the extended strand seems to be capable of self-locomotion, most of which occurs at the end of the strand. SCP-XXXX's movements are typically slow, but it becomes more active at a smaller size; its highest recorded speed is 1.3 meters per second. Unless provoked, it remains immobile when no organic fibrous material is present.

When the loose end of SCP-XXXX comes into contact with organic fiber, the material is assimilated into the existing fibers of the specimen, regardless of difference in composition. SCP-XXXX appears to fuse directly to the new material, which becomes a part of SCP-XXXX and capable of self-locomotion. Fibers like hair or fur detach from the source, although in cases where SCP-XXXX was exposed to a large quantity of such fibers, it instead fused directly to nearby hair follicles until all material was assimilated, causing significant stress and physical discomfort to the affected subject.

SCP-XXXX naturally shrinks over time; the rate of this change is inconsistent. It is unknown if there is a limit to SCP-XXXX's size, which currently fluctuates by approximately 1 cm between bi-weekly inspection dates. Its lowest recorded diameter was 4.7 cm, which occurred after █ weeks without access to new material, during the initial period following recovery.

Attempts to unravel SCP-XXXX have been unsuccessful due to its evasive movement, and in two (2) separate cases, aggressive action. In the first case, Researcher ██████ managed to grasp the loose end of SCP-XXXX, which at first attempted unsuccessfully to pull away. When ██████ began to pull on the loose end, SCP-XXXX wrapped itself between his thumb and index finger, tightening until ██████ released it.

The second case occurred when Researcher █████ attempted to pry a strand away from SCP-XXXX with a pair of tweezers inserted through the sealed hatch. SCP-XXXX's loose end was able to climb the tweezers to the opening and proceeded to escape after tightening the space between its individual threads to fit through the <2 mm gap. Researcher █████ responded by tugging on the fastened strand, prompting SCP-XXXX to weave itself between █████'s fingers, restricting further movement. The attempt to unravel SCP-XXXX was then abandoned to re-establish containment.

SCP-XXXX was discovered in the back shelf of a failing knitting and craft store in █████, RI. At the time, the specimen was 9.2 cm in diameter and composed mainly of red wool yarn. The specimen's behavior is believed to have changed following containment, as it was found among multiple skeins of wool that it had left untouched. SCP-XXXX has since become far more reactive to the presence of any organic fibers, and will attempt to assimilate the material as soon as it becomes accessible.

Addendum XXXX-A: Material Records
Fibrous materials exposed to SCP-XXXX are listed below. All tested non-synthetic fibers have so far elicited some response from the specimen.

Synthetic fibers:
Synthetic materials are deemed suitable for use near SCP-XXXX unless otherwise noted.

  • Nylon
  • Polyester
  • Acrylic yarn
  • Rayon (5 mm rope)
  • Fiberglass
    • SCP-XXXX visibly avoided contact with the material. Currently under consideration for use in containment procedure.
  • Steel wool (Grade 0)
    • SCP-XXXX was unable to assimilate the sample, but was strangely attracted to the material. SCP-XXXX moved the sample about its isolation chamber, creating a number of light scratches in the walls before the sample was removed. Recommended that additional samples be kept out of range of SCP-XXXX at all times.

Organic fibers:

  • Cotton yarn
  • Cotton wool
  • Linen (80% flax)
  • Hemp rope
  • Silk (processed, unwoven)
  • Spider silk (Agelenopsis actuosa)
  • Wool (knitting wool)
  • Wool (unprocessed sample taken from Ovis aries)
    • Elicited an extreme response from SCP-XXXX, which assimilated all ██ grams of the material in under 30 seconds. Additional exposure not recommended.
  • Mouse fur (Mus musculus; separated sample)
  • Mouse fur (Mus musculus; live subject)
    • SCP-XXXX removed all fur from the subject in 1█ minutes. Subject became considerably distressed.
  • Human hair (head, eyebrows, bodily hair; exposed during formal testing and accidentally)
  • Human eyelashes (accidental exposure)
  • Muscle tissue (Taken from deceased specimen of ███ ██████)
  • Muscle tissue (Human, [REDACTED]; accidental exposure)
  • [REDACTED] (Human, [REDACTED]; accidental exposure)
    • Subject blinded. Documented under Incident XXXX-A14.

Working titles: Living Yarn, Yarn, The Fiber of (a) Being, Yarnivore