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What's the
difference between Woolen and Worsted?
Woolen and worsted are
two different classifications of wool fabrics and yarn. The table below
list some of their characteristics:
| Woolens |
Worsted |
Spun from short wool fibers
(1-3 inches long) |
Spun from long wool fibers
(more than 3") |
| Spun from medium or coarse diameter
wool fibers |
Spun from fine diameter wool fibers |
| Fibers are washed, scoured and carded |
Fibers are washed, scoured, carded,
combed and drawn |
| lower tensile strength than worsteds |
higher tensile strength than woolens |
| low to medium twist |
tighter twist |
| Bulky, uneven yarn |
Fine, smooth yarn |
| Soft, fuzzy appearance |
crisp, smooth appearance |
| heavier weight |
lighter weight |
| not as durable as worsteds |
More durable than woolens |
| does not hold crease well |
holds crease well |
For more information
about wool, visit the American Wool
Council site.
Sharon Stevens, HES
Extension, College of Human Environmental Sciences,
University of Missouri-Columbia |
