Woollen

Woollen is a class of textile made from wool fibres, typically produced from carded (shorter) fibres to create a soft, bulky yarn. Fabrics woven or knitted from this yarn are usually warm and have a fuzzy surface. In British English the spelling woollen is common; the American variant is woolen.

Processing begins with scouring to remove grease, followed by carding to separate and align fibres. For woollen fabrics the fibres are not combed; they are spun into a yarn with short fibres and a high degree of fibre misalignment. This produces a yarn that is light, springy and highly insulating. The yarn is then woven or knitted, and finished by fulling or napping to increase thickness and softness.

Common woollen fabrics include flannel, tweed, melton and broadcloth, often used for outerwear, suits, coats, sweaters and blankets. Woollen textiles are valued for warmth, resilience and the ability to trap air, but typically show more surface fuzz and lower strength than worsted fabrics.

Historically, woollen cloth played a major role in European textile industries, especially in Britain and continental towns associated with wool production. Modern woollens cover a wide range of weights and finishes, from heavy coats to lightweight jerseys, and continue to be refined through blending with other fibres or finishes.