What is worsted cloth?

Worsted cloth is a fabric made from wool yarn that is sleeker and less hairy than traditional wool fabric. The name is derived from a village in England named Worstead. Worsted cloth is made from long, smooth fibers whereas wool cloth has short and hairy fibers.

Worsted cloth tends to be slick and thin whereas wool fabric tends to be soft and fluffy. To make worsted cloth, sheep with very long wool are shorn, and the wool is arranged so the fibers lie parallel to each other through either a gilling or a combing process. This forms a tight, hard yarn that is then woven into a fine, lightweight fabric.