How It's Made Wool

Summary

This video explores the fascinating connection between wool and hand cream, highlighting how wool grease is transformed into lanolin for skincare products. It traces the history of wool production, beginning with sheep domestication around 10,000 years ago and the Romans' introduction of wool to England. The manufacturing process is detailed, from shearing and grading wool to blending, carding, and spinning it into yarn. Finally, it showcases the weaving of wool fabric using automated looms and the finishing techniques that enhance its texture and appearance, underscoring wool's durability and versatility in clothing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Wool contains lanolin, an oily substance processed from sheep's grease, commonly used in hand creams.
• 😀 Sheep were domesticated for food and clothing approximately 10,000 years ago, with wool spinning beginning around 4000 BC.
• 😀 The Romans introduced wool production to England around 50 AD, which became a major export for centuries.
• 😀 In 1797, Britain sent 13 sheep to Australia, establishing the largest wool industry in the world.
• 😀 Wool fabric is durable, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-absorbing, and provides insulation against temperature changes.
• 😀 Sheep shearers use power shears to remove fleece, discarding any inferior or stained wool.
• 😀 Wool quality is graded based on fiber length, color, waviness, and fineness.
• 😀 After cleaning, wool fibers are blended, often mixed with materials like polyester for desired textures.
• 😀 Carding machines untangle wool fibers and align them, producing a smooth sheet called a web.
• 😀 The spinning process transforms rovings into strong wool yarn, ready for weaving into fabric.

Q & A

What is wool grease and its significance in the production of hand cream?

Wool grease is an oily, protective coating found in a sheep's fleece, which is processed into lanolin, a common ingredient in hand creams.

When did humans begin raising sheep, and what were they primarily raised for?

Historians believe that people began raising sheep about 10,000 years ago, primarily for food and clothing.

How did wool production evolve in England during Roman times?

The Romans introduced wool production to England around 50 AD, and woolen fabrics became the country's chief export for centuries.

What event in 1797 significantly impacted the wool industry in Australia?

In 1797, Britain shipped 13 sheep to Australia, which marked the beginning of what would become the largest wool industry in the world.

What are some key properties of wool that make it suitable for clothing?

Wool is durable, wrinkle-proof, retains shape well, absorbs moisture, and insulates against heat and cold, making it ideal for clothing such as sweaters and coats.

What is the process used by sheep shearers to collect fleece?

Sheep shearers use power shears to remove the fleece in one piece and then sort the wool based on quality.

What happens to the wool after it is collected and sorted?

After sorting, the wool is cleaned with detergents before being processed into the factory.

What role does the carding machine play in wool processing?

The carding machine untangles the fibers and aligns them parallel to each other, producing a smooth sheet called a web and removing debris.

How is wool yarn produced from rovings?

Rovings are stretched and spun tightly in a spinning frame, which gives the yarn strength before it is wound onto a bobbin.

What is the purpose of the automated loom in fabric production?

The automated loom weaves the yarn into fabric by inserting strands in a specific under-over configuration at a rate of 400 strands per minute.

What are the final steps in wool fabric finishing?

After weaving, the fabric undergoes processes to remove vegetal matter, followed by dyeing, drying, and finishing to achieve a desired appearance and feel.