Where does Terrycloth come from?

Terrycloth comes from the United Kingdom, England and France, first documented in the 1840s.

Plate No. 068fabric

Uncut loops, drawn as the rings they are.

First documented: 1840s
Origin: England and France, United Kingdom
Fiber: cotton
Weave: woven or knit loop pile
Family: knits

Plate No. 068 · fabric

Terrycloth

Terrycloth is the cloth of loops: extra warp yarn is fed in slack so it rises from the ground in thousands of small uncut loops, on one face or both. The loops are the function, multiplying the surface area so the cloth drinks water, which is why terry owns the bathroom. Mechanized terry weaving dates to the 1840s and industrial Lancashire; the same loop face turns up in beach robes, sweatbands, and the inside of winter sweatshirts. Cut the loops instead and the cousin cloth is velour.

Illustration: a 1930s lido poolside, white robes thrown over deck chairs, striped umbrellas, swimmers at a distance, sparkling water — A 1930s lido poolside, white robes thrown over deck chairs, striped umbrellas, swimmers at a distance, sparkling water.

Named for

Probably from the French tire, drawn, for the drawn-out loops; the towel cloth has carried the name since the 1840s.

Also known as

terry, toweling

Common questions

What is Terrycloth made of?: Terrycloth is the cloth of loops: extra warp yarn is fed in slack so it rises from the ground in thousands of small uncut loops, on one face or both. It is traditionally made of cotton.
Where does Terrycloth come from?: Terrycloth comes from the United Kingdom, England and France, first documented in the 1840s.
What is Terrycloth named after?: Probably from the French tire, drawn, for the drawn-out loops; the towel cloth has carried the name since the 1840s.