CHEVIOT CLOTH.. A woollen fabric made originally from the wool of the well-known breed of Cheviot sheep, and now made from other types of wool. Cheviot wool possesses good spinning qualities, owing to the staple being of a fine, soft and pliable character. The true Cheviot type of fabric has a crispness of texture similar to serge cloth (q.v.) except that it is of a slightly rougher and heavier type. Cheviot fabric may be produced either from woollen or worsted yarns according to the character and texture or feel desired in the finished fabric. Some qualities are produced from cross-bred worsted yarns which are adapted for furnishing the crispness of texture which is one of the distinguish ing characteristics of the true Cheviot type of fabric.
Cheviot suitings for sports wear are made from the harder spun worsted yarns, while some qualities are also made from Bot any worsted. So-called Cheviot suitings of inferior quality con tain an admixture of cotton, whilst other low-grade Cheviots are weighted with flocks. A stout, twilled, cotton fabric made from cotton warp and weft of coarse counts of yarn and woven with small dobby patterns or with fancy warp stripes, of brown or blue, with bleached weft, is also described as "Cheviot shirting." (H. N.)