There are two different general types of wool. One is used for carpets and the other for apparel, or clothing. Carpet wool is rougher and usually longer than apparel wool. Fine wools used for clothing are about 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 7.5 centimeters) long; extremely coarse fibers may be as much as 14 inches (35.5 centimeters) in length. Clothing wool is divided into groups as well. Woolen yarns are usually made from shorter fibers. They are thick and full and are used for such full-bodied items as tweed fabrics and blankets. Worsteds are usually made from longer fibers. They are smooth, firm, and long-lasting. They are used for fine dress fabrics and suits.
The finest wool comes from Merino sheep. The fleece of these sheep is also called merino. Certain other wools are made of what are called specialty fibers, often taken from rare animals. These include mohair from the hair of goat kids, cashmere from the Cashmere goats of India and Tibet, camel’s hair, horsehair, and the hair of the llama, musk ox, cow, angora goat, angora rabbit, and common rabbit.
