From Judith MacKenzie: Teach yourself Visually Handspinning
"Pull the fiber apart. Top pulls apart in a straight line; roving leaves a rough, triangular-shaped edge."
She showed me this in a class at Madrona, why can't I remember it?
Combed fibers make top. Spinning top (usually short forward or backward draw) makes a worsted yarn. The fibers are all lined up.
Carded fibers make roving which makes woolen yarns. The fibers go in many directions and can be spun with a long draw. Variations include pin roving, pencil roving and sliver. Batts are basically roving which comes right off the carder in long sheets.
Now I hope I'll remember 'cuz I wrote it down.
