Lisle

A fine, smooth cotton yarn made by plying together strands spun from long, combed staple, then usually singeing off the surface fuzz and mercerising it for sheen. The result is unusually even and lustrous, closer to silk than to ordinary cotton. It is a traditional yarn for dress socks and fine knit polos rather than a t-shirt fabric. Where it appears, expect a smooth face that takes embroidery well and shows every flaw in a coarse print, so fine detail is the right use for it.