Scoured, fibre which is washed and grease free.                                   

Opened, fibre which has been opened out by picking.

Carded, fibre which has passed through a carding machine.

Carded sliver, fibre which has been drawn into a continuous length from the carder.

Combing, fibre which has continued from the sliver through mechanical combs to arrange the fibres parallel and to remove the short fibres.

Tops, the continuous length of combed fibre wound into a ball.

Noils, the short fibre which drops out in the combing process.

Roving, the combed tops are drawn out and made thinner prior to spinning. Can contain a very light twist.