What are the various steps for processing fibres into wool?
Step 1. Shearing: The first step of processing wool, that is, shearing involves the removal of the fleece of the sheep along with a thin layer of skin. This process is carried out in the warmer spring season when the sheep do not need the layer removed to keep them warm.
Step 2. Scouring: The sheared skin with hair is thoroughly washed in tanks to remove grease, dust, and dirt from the wool. This is called scouring.
Step 3. Sorting: It is done after scouring. The hairy skin is sent to a factory where the hair of different textures is separated or sorted. The good quality fibres are used to make clothes while low quality fibres are used in rugs.
Step 4. The small fluffy fibres called burrs are picked out from the hair. The fibres are scoured again and dried. Now the wool is ready to be drawn into fibres.
Step 5. In the next process, that is, dyeing, the fibres are coloured in different colours because naturally, the fibre is white, black or brown in colour.
Step 6. Finally, the fibres are straightened, combed, and rolled into yarn. The longer fibres are made into wool for sweaters and the shorter ones are spun and woven into the woolen cloth.