Forked out about a pound for tartan cloth (5)
I believe the answer is:
plaid
'tartan cloth' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'forked out about a pound' is the wordplay.
'forked out' becomes 'paid' (to fork out for something is to pay for it).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'a pound' becomes 'L' (abbreviation e.g. Lsd - pounds, shillings, pence).
'paid' going around 'l' is 'PLAID'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for plaid that I've seen before include "Scotsman's cloth" , "party in Wales" , "Cloth with a criss-cross design" , "Tartan patterned cloth" , "Part of Scots dress or Welsh party" .)