Shearing and Wool Production
The cycle of shearing and wool production all starts with
the sheep.
First of all, the sheep are shorn
and the wool is split into four different categories. A vast majority of the
wool goes into the "fleece" category and the rest are either broken, bellies and
locks.
Then a qualified person from a wool classer group will
class the wool and it will be auctioned off.
After the
auction, the wool is spun for the first time and is turned into yarn. Once it is
made into yarn it can be turned into virtually anything. Blankets, clothes,
tapestries or it can simply remain as yarn.
Characteristics of Wool
Strength: Wool is strengthened by the use of ply yarns as it is the weakest of the natural fibres.
Elasticity: Wool is very elastic.
Resilience: Woollen fibres wrinkle less easily than other fibres as they have a high level of resilience.
Absorption: At first wool will repel water but it will quickly weaken against it and absorb it.
Shrinkage: All fabrics made of wool shrink easily if treated roughly when wet.
Resistance to moths: Wool fibres are very vulnerable to moths.
3 Interesting Facts
1. Wool can absorb 30% of its weight before feeling damp.
2. Wool is fire resistant.
3. Wool is comparatively stronger than steel.