# Roving

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{{short description|Long, narrow bundle of fiber}}
{{otheruses}}
thumb|right|Grey and white wool roving

A '''roving''' is a long and narrow bundle of [fiber](/source/fiber). Rovings are produced during the process of making [spun](/source/Spinning_(textiles)) yarn from [wool](/source/wool) fleece, raw [cotton](/source/cotton), or other fibres. Their main use is as fibre prepared for spinning, but they may also be used for specialised kinds of knitting or other textile arts.

After [carding](/source/carding), the fibres lie roughly parallel in smooth bundles. These are drawn out, by hand or machine, and slightly twisted to form lengths suitable for thread [spinning](/source/Hand_spinning). These unspun strands of fibre are the rovings. Roving can also mean a roll of these strands, the strands in general (as a [mass noun](/source/mass_noun)), or the process of creating them.

Because it is carded, the fibres are less parallel than [wool top](/source/wool_top) (which is combed) and are not of uniform length. Carded rovings look fluffier than combed top, which looks smooth and has a high lustre. The fibres in combed top tend to be of a fairly uniform length due to the method of preparation. Though drawing it into strips may line the fibres up a bit.<ref>Freund, Kimberlie and Norton, Marjorie J.T., ''Broadwoven Fabrics'', USITC Publication 3410: 4 {{ISBN|1-4289-5826-6}}</ref><ref>[http://www.depts.ttu.edu/itc/spinprep_lab.htm ''Spinning Prep/Combing Lab''], International Textile Center</ref> Roving is not to be confused with [sliver](/source/sliver_(textiles)) as there is twist in roving.

'''Pencil roving''' is a type of roving that has been drawn until it is the size of a fat pencil. It can be used by spinners with minimal drafting (withdrawing fibers from a clump). Knitters also use pencil roving, similar to [Lopi](/source/Lopi_(knitting)) style yarns, or when making a [thrummed](/source/Thrum_(textiles)) item. Regular roving can also be used in thrummed knitting.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Spinning}}
Category:Spinning
Category:Fibers

{{Textile-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Roving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roving) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roving?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.