Step-1: Shearing
- The fleece of the sheep along with a thin layer of skin is removed from its body .
- This process is known as Shearing .
- This process is usually done in the hot weather , as it enables the sheep to survive without their protective coat of hair.
Step-2 Scouring
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 .
Step-3 Sorting
The process of separating the fleece of sheep into sections according to quality of woollen fibres such as fine, coarse , long, short is known as Sorting
Step-4 Dyeing
The natural fleece or hair of sheep is white, brown or black in colour.
The white woollen fibres obtained by sorting can be dyed in different colours.
Step-5 Combing
It is the method to prepare woollen fibres for spinning the wool.
It is done by using combs having metal teeth .
It straightens the woollen fibres and removes the small fluffy fibres (called Burrs ).
Step-6 Spinning
The long woollen fibres are spun or twisted into wool for sweaters.
Short fibres are spun and woven into woollen clothes(like shawls).