Raw Material Selection
• High - quality wool fibers, often from sheep such as Merino, are chosen for their fineness, softness, and high crimp, which helps in the felting process.
Scouring
• The raw wool is first washed in warm water with mild detergents to remove impurities like dirt, grease, and lanolin. This step ensures the cleanliness of the wool and prepares it for the next stages.
Carding
• The scoured wool is passed through carding machines. These machines have wire - toothed rollers that comb and align the wool fibers, separating them into a thin, continuous web and making the fibers lie parallel to each other.
Spinning
• The carded wool is spun into yarn. This can be done by hand - spinning or using spinning machines. The spinning process twists the wool fibers together to form a strong and continuous yarn.
Weaving or Knitting
• The spun yarn is then either woven on a loom to create a woven fabric or knitted using knitting machines or needles to form a knitted fabric. The choice between weaving and knitting depends on the desired texture and end - use of the fabric.
Fulling (Boiling)
• The fabric is placed in hot water, often with the addition of mild alkalis or detergents, and agitated. The heat and agitation cause the wool fibers to swell and the scales on the surface of the fibers to open up. As the fabric is moved around in the water, the fibers interlock and mat together, a process known as felting. This process thickens and densifies the fabric, making it more durable, water - resistant, and insulating.
Drying and Finishing
• After fulling, the fabric is dried. It may be dried naturally or using mechanical dryers. Once dry, the fabric may undergo further finishing processes such as pressing to smooth out any wrinkles, shearing to even out the surface, or adding dyes or other treatments to enhance its color and appearance.
