Worstedisthenameofayarnandclothusuallymadefromwool.ThenamederivesfromthevillageofWorsteadinNorfolk,England.Thevillagebecame,alongwithNorthWalshamandAylsham,acentreforthemanufactureofyarnandcloth,afterweaversfromFlandersarrivedinNorfolkinthe12thcentury.
Theyarniswelltwistedandspunoflongstaplewool(thoughnowadaysalsomediumandshortfibresareused).Thewooliscombedsothatthefibreslieparallel.
Theclothhasahard,smoothtexture,usuallywhipcord,gabardineorserge,andtheusualweaveisatwillweave.
Worstedisalsousedforcarpets,garments,hosieryandgloves.