Carding is the process of disentangling, cleaning, and aligning cotton fibres in preparation for spinning into yarn.
The Process
- Raw cotton is fed into carding machine
- Rotating drums with wire teeth separate fibres
- Dirt, seeds, and short fibres are removed
- Fibres emerge roughly aligned in a thin web
- Web is condensed into a rope-like "sliver"
Carded vs Combed
Carded cotton: Has gone through carding only. Contains some short fibres and slight irregularities.
Combed cotton: Carded THEN combed. Extra step removes remaining short fibres for smoother result.
| Carded Only | Carded + Combed |
|---|---|
| Standard quality | Premium quality |
| Some short fibres | Short fibres removed |
| Slightly rough | Smoother |
| Lower cost | Higher cost |
In Towels
All cotton towels use carded cotton. Premium towels also include combing for improved quality.
If a label just says "cotton" without "combed," assume carded only.
Related Terms
- Combed cotton - Additional processing
- Ring-spun - Spinning method