fibre to fabric

The fleece of the sheep along with a thin layer of skin is removed from its body This process is called shearing. Machines similar to those used by barbers are used to shave off hair. Usually, hair are removed during the hot weather. This enables sheep to survive without their protective coat of hair. The hair provide woollen fibres. Woollen fibres are then processed to obtain woollen yarn. Shearing does not hurt the sheep just as it does not hurt when you get a haircut or your father shaves his beard. Generally wool is removed in summer season.

The sheared skin with hair is thoroughly washed in      tanks to remove grease, dust and dirt. This is called scouring. Nowadays scouring is done by machines

After scouring, sorting is done. The hairy skin is sent to a factory where hair of different textures are separated or sorted.

The small fluffy fibres, called burrs, are picked out from the hair. These are the same burrs which sometimes appear on your sweaters. The fibres are scoured again and dried. This is the wool ready to be drawn into fibres.

The fibres can be dyed in various colours, as the natural fleece of sheep and goats is black, brown or white

The fibres are straightened, combed and rolled into yarn The longer fibres are made into wool for sweaters and the shorter fibres are spun and woven into woollen cloth.