Terrycloth, terry cloth, terry cotton, terry towelling, terry, or simply towelling is a fabric with

loops that can absorb large amounts of water. It can be manufactured by weaving or knitting.
Towelling is woven on special looms that have two beams of longitudinal warp through which the
filler or weft is fired laterally.[1][2] The first industrial production of terrycloth towels, in 1850, was
initiated by the English manufacturer Christy.
There are two types of terry fabrics:
Towel terry
This is a woven fabric with long loops that can absorb large amounts of water. Its content is
usually 100% cotton, but may sometimes contain polyester.
French terry
This is a fabric, used in men's, women's and children's clothes. One of its sides is flat, while
the other side is with cross loops. It is either 100% cotton or contains polyester with elastaine
(lycra). It is often warp knitted, and the term French Terry is colloquially used for all warp
knitted Terry.
It is the length of loops that determines how much fluid is absorbed by the cloth as longer
loops provide more surface area to absorb and come in contact with the fluid.
Items that may be made from terrycloth include babies' reusable nappies (UK English)
or diapers (US English), towels, bathrobes, bedlinen, and sweatbands for the wrist or head.
Terrycloth is also sometimes used to make sweat jackets. Terry towelling hats with a
shallow brim were once popular with cricketers (like English wicketkeeper Jack Russell), but
are no longer in fashion.
An alternative fabric used for towels is waffle fabric. A modern synthetic alternative
is microfiber.