Two ways to turn wool into a world of cloth.
Woollen and worsted describe processing systems, not sheep breeds.
Reviewed 2026-09-22. Open in the interactive atlas.
Follow the preparation
Cleaned wool is opened and organized before yarn formation. In a worsted route, combing removes shorter fibers and helps align the longer ones. Woollen preparation retains a less parallel arrangement.
Read the surface
Worsted yarns often make smooth, defined tailoring cloth. Woollen yarns can give a fuller, more textured fabric. Finishing can blur that distinction, so these are tendencies rather than promises.
Put the vocabulary to work
When evaluating a sweater or jacket, ask about yarn preparation and construction as well as fiber content. A fine fiber does not automatically produce a durable or comfortable garment.
Sources & further reading
- The Woolmark Company: Wool processing
Technical reference for scouring, carding, combing, spinning and fabric formation.