The terms Woolen and Worsted refer to both the spinning technique used and the characteristics of the yarn you create. Opt for worsted spinning when you need a strong, smooth, and durable yarn. Or, try woolen spinning for light, warm, and soft yarns.
Worsted Spun Yarns
For 100% worsted-spun yarn, combed fibers like top are used. These fibers are aligned neatly in parallel and spun tightly on a suspended spindle, such as a Turkish spindle. This creates a smooth and sturdy yarn with minimal air. While worsted yarns are less elastic, they are exceptionally strong and durable. They are ideal for socks or projects where stitch definition, such as cables, is important.
Woolen Spun Yarns
For 100% woolen-spun yarn, carded fibers like roving are used. These fibers are more randomly aligned, resulting in a loftier, woolier yarn. To achieve a true woolen effect, spin the roving on a supported spindle using the long draw technique. You can also achieve 100% woolen yarn by spinning from the fold with roving on a suspended spindle. Woolen yarns are light, elastic, and excellent at retaining warmth.
Semi-Woolen and Semi-Worsted
Of course, there are hybrid techniques that combine elements of both. However, these blends are never a true 50-50, as the spinning technique tends to have more influence than the fiber preparation.
- If you spin combed top using a long draw technique, it’s called a semi-woolen yarn. Since the long draw technique belongs to the woolen category, the result is considered semi-woolen.
- On the other hand, if you spin roving with a suspended spindle (e.g., a Turkish spindle hanging below your fiber supply), the result is called a semi-worsted yarn.
Ready to Practice?
If you’d like to practice both woolen and worsted spinning, I have two types of Corriedale fibers in my collection, available in soft pastel colors. Both are beginner-friendly – the Soft Start Roving is perfect for creating woolen yarns with the long draw technique. And the Soft Start Top is ideal for worsted yarns spun suspended below your fiber supply – for example, on a Turkish spindle.
If you’d like to try using your Turkish spindle in a supported way, give it a go! If the tip of your spindle shaft is slightly pointed (as with my Turkish spindles), it can work very well as a supported spindle. This is a great opportunity to practice the long draw technique. Pair it with the Soft Start Roving, and you’ll spin your first woolen yarn in no time!