What does worsted mean?

[susanjp]

I know, probably stupid question, but the terms are all different over here than in Scotland - at least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!! :?

[pamelamama]

:goo

woolen: a system of processing that utilizes the shorter length wools within a grade
worsted: a system of processing that utilizes the longer length wools within a grade
--http://www.worldknit.com/howto/howtospin/sterms/s_terms.html


Woolen: The products of that branch of the wool textile industry that uses short wool, cards them, and later fulls the cloth.

Worsted: The branch of the wool textile trade that uses long wool, combs them, and does not full.
-- http://www.textilelinks.com/author/rb/020701.html

Woolen Refers To Fabrics Of Carded Wool Yarns Spun In The Woolen Spinning System . These Are Shorter Coarser Yarns Than Worsted Yarns And The Fabrics Are Heavier Than Worsteds.


Woollen Descriptive Of Yarns, Or Fabrics Or Garments Made From Yarns, Which Have Been Produced On The Condenser System, Wholly From Wool Fibres, New Or Otherwise. Note 1: As An Adjective Appertaining To Wool Generally, The Term 'wool' And Not 'woollen' Is Recommended. Note 2: The Trade Name 'woollen-spun' Is Applied To Staple Yarn Produced By Carding, Condensing, And Spinning On Machinery Originally Designed For The Processing Of Wool Into Yarn: It Is Descriptive Of The Processing Technique And Not Fibre Content. Since The Yarn May Not Contain Any Wool Fibre, The Alternative Condenser Spun Is Preferable.


Woollen, Blended Descriptive Of Yarns Spun On The Condenser System And Having Wool As The Main Component, Or Descriptive Of Fabrics Or Garments Made From Such Yarns.


Woollen-spun The Trade Name 'woollen-spun' Is Applied To Staple Yarn Produced By Carding, Condensing, And Spinning On Machinery Originally Designed For The Processing Of Wool Into Yarn: It Is Descriptive Of The Processing Technique And Not Fibre Content. Since The Yarn May Not Contain Any Wool Fibre, The Alternative Condenser Spun Is Preferable.


Woollen-type Fabric A Fabric Manufactured Wholly From Woollen-type (woollen-spun ) Yarns, Or From Cotton Warp And Woollen-type (woollen-spun) Weft And Which May Or May Not Contain Decorative Threads Of Other Fibres.


Wool-like Refers To A Non-wool Fabric With A Warm Hand That Feels Like Natural Wool.

Worsted Descriptive Of Yams Spun Wholly From Combed Wool In Which The Fibres Are Reasonably Parallel, And Fabrics Or Garments Made From Such Yarns. In Most Countries Fabrics With A Small Proportion Of Non-wool Decorative Threads Can Be Described As Worsted.


Worsted Refers To Fabric Of Combed Yarns Spun In The Worsted Spinning System. These Tend To Be Longer Finer Yarns Than Those Spun In The Woolen System. The Term Worsted Usually Refers To Wool But May Refer To Any Other Fibers As Well. Worsted Fabrics Are Lighter And Smoother Than Woolens. Tropical, Gabardine And Serge Are Examples Of Worsted Fabrics.


Worsted Fabric A Fabric Manufactured Wholly From Worsted Yams, Except That Decorative Threads Of Other Fibres May Be Present.


Worsted Yarns, Colour Terms
In All The Definitions Given Below, The Expression 'colour' Includes Black And White.
Worsted, Blended Descriptive Of Yarns In Which The Fibres Are Reasonably Parallel And Have Combed Wool As The Main Component, Or Descriptive Of Fabrics Or Garments Made From Such Yarns.


Worsted-type Fabric A Fabric Manufactured Wholly From Worsted-type (worsted-spun) Yarns, Or From Cotton Warp And Worsted-type (worsted-spun) Weft, And Which May Or May Not Contain Decorative Threads Of Other Fibres.
--http://www.fibre2fashion.com/glossary/glossary19.htm

Now we know!!! (I bet :theresa already knew.)

whew, I'm exhausted