Wool
Textile Project
History of wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals. Even before 10,000 BC wool cloth was being spun and woven by the tribes of northern Europe. It is nowhere clearly mentioned where wool was discovered and by who.
Characteristics
Wool's scaling and crimp makes it easier to spin the fleece by helping the individual fibers attach to each other, so they stay together. The major steps necessary to process wool from the sheep to the fabric are: shearing, cleaning and scouring, grading and sorting, carding, spinning, weaving, and finishing. Although wool fibers can be dyed before the carding process, dyeing can also be done after the wool has been woven into fabric. The average fleece wight in the U.S. is 7.3 pounds.
Uses
Wool is widely used in clothing from knitwear such as socks and jumpers, to cloth used for suits and costumes. It is used in the furniture trade both for making chair covers and for upholstery. Around 80% pf the world's wool goes into garments like sweaters, hats, and coats. Wool fabric can also be used for blankets and drapes. Stuffing for furniture can also be made from wool.
Interesting facts about wool
Wool may be used for mixtures of hair from sheep, alpaca, llama, camel, cashmere, mohair, yak or otter. Wool is naturally mildew and mold resistant because it is a natural moisture repellent. Sheep wool has other uses, such as in the building of houses. Wool has natural fire resistance.