fibres and yarns, wool fibres

NATURAL ANIMAL FIBRES

WOOL

Wool fibres are obtained from the fleece of sheep
The fleece from different breeds of sheep varies in colour, quality, fineness and crimp (wavyness)
The more crimps or waves to the inch, the finer the wool
Sheep are usually shorn once a year
In preparation for spinning the wool is graded, sorted, then scoured to remove impurities and grease
The wool industry produces two types of yarn, 'woollen' yarn and 'worsted' yarn

WORSTED YARN

To produce 'worsted' yarn the longer staples are are used

The fibres are both carded and combed, this removes any burrs or vegetable matter and causes the fibres to lie parallel to each other

The resulting 'slivers' are then drawn out and spun into a strong, smooth yarn

Worsted yarn is usually used in the production of woven wool fabric

WOOLLEN YARN

To produce 'woollen' yarn the shorter staple fibres are used

The fibres are carded between rollers with wire teeth, this tidies and cleans the fibres, but leaves them intermingled rather than parallel to each other. It is important to have fibres lying across the yarn as well as along it

The resulting 'slubbings' are then spun to produce a soft, light, bulky yarn

Woollen yarn is used for handknitting as well as industrial and domestic machine knitting

SOME EXAMPLES OF WOOLLEN YARNS

	Shetland wool is a type of yarn spun from a particular variety of sheep fleece which has courser and longer fibres.		Lambswool is spun from the fleece of a sheep that has been shorn for the very first time. It is a very soft but fragile yarn.		Merino wool is spun from the fleece of Merino sheep. It is the softest and warmest wool, stronger than Lambswool, but rather more expensive.

Botany wool
is Merino wool that comes from the Botany Bay area of Australia.

Superwash wool
has been chemically treated before spinning, in order to prevent the shrinking and felting of finished garments when they are washed.