Tweed (cloth) facts for kids
Tweed is a special kind of fabric made from wool. It feels a bit rough and often has cool patterns. These patterns can be plain, diagonal lines (called twill), or a zigzag shape (called herringbone). To make tweed colorful, different colored wool fibers are mixed together before they are spun into yarn.
Tweed is a famous part of traditional clothing in Scotland and Ireland. It's great for outdoor clothes because it can keep you dry and lasts a long time. Tweed is made to handle tough weather. People often wear it for outdoor activities like shooting and hunting. In Ireland, a lot of tweed is made in a place called County Donegal.
Contents
What is Tweed Fabric?
Tweed is a strong and warm fabric. It is made from wool, which comes from sheep. The way it is woven makes it very durable. This means it can last for many years.
How is Tweed Made?
Tweed gets its unique look from how it's made. Before the wool is spun into yarn, different colored wool fibers are mixed together. This creates a rich, textured color that looks like many tiny dots of different shades.
The fabric is then woven in specific patterns. Common patterns include:
- Plain weave: A simple, crisscross pattern.
- Twill: This creates diagonal lines in the fabric.
- Herringbone: This pattern looks like the bones of a fish, forming V-shapes.
Why is Tweed Popular?
Tweed is well-known for several reasons. It's not just about how it looks; it's also about how it performs.
Perfect for Outdoors
Tweed is very good for outdoor clothes. It helps keep you warm and dry. The fabric is naturally resistant to moisture, which means rain doesn't soak through it easily. It's also very tough and can handle a lot of wear and tear. This makes it perfect for adventures outside.
A Traditional Style
Tweed has been a popular choice for a long time, especially in Scotland and Ireland. It's often seen in traditional jackets, hats, and coats. Many people wear tweed for outdoor sports like hunting or fishing. It's also a stylish choice for everyday wear.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Tweed making at a mill in Wales, 1940
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Bike in Tweed, Stockholm 2013
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Logo of the Harris Tweed authority
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Glen plaid, Glenurquhart, or Prince of Wales check, frequently used to make overcoats and sportcoats in the 1950s
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Example of the herringbone pattern, a popular choice for suits and outerwear
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Houndstooth, the basis of the keeper's tweed popular among the upper classes from the 1860s until the 1930s
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Grey Donegal tweed sportcoat
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A deerstalker hat made of district or gamekeeper's tweed (contrasting mustard, green and brown checks)
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Windowpane tweed popular in the late 19th century and again in the 1970s
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Frederick III with his young son Wilhelm wearing highland dress including tweed kilt jacket
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Harris Tweed Nike
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Charlie Hunter (left) watches as Old Tom Morris plays a shot in 1863 at Prestwick. Both of the players are wearing the traditional tweeds.
See also
In Spanish: Tweed (tejido) para niños
