Tweed is a rough, woollen fabric, of a soft, open, flexible texture, resembling cheviot or homespun, but more closely woven. It is usually woven with a plain weave, twill or herringbone structure. Colour effects in the yarn may be obtained by mixing dyed wool before it is spun.
Harris Tweed woven in a herringbone twill pattern, mid-20th century
Tweed making at the Leach family woollen mill at Mochdre, Powys, Wales, 1940
Bike in Tweed, Stockholm 2013
Logo of the Harris Tweed authority
Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, used in sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, ropemaking, and the production of textiles. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manufactured sewing threads may be finished with wax or other lubricants to withstand the stresses involved in sewing. Embroidery threads are yarns specifically designed for needlework. Yarn can be made of a number of natural or synthetic materials, and comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses. Although yarn may be dyed different colours, most yarns are solid coloured with a uniform hue.
Balls of yarn
A visual of twisted yarn
Flyer spinning of cotton
Manila hemp warp yarns being prepared for weaving in a modern textile factory