Join the flock with Minnesota Grown lamb and wool!
Behind the wool:
1) Shearing
Come spring, sheep are sheared by hand. If possible, the fleece is kept in a single piece. A sheep's fleece can weigh close to 20lbs, but is usually closer to 10.
2) Grading
The wool is broken into sections based on fiber quality. Shoulders and sides yield high quality wool while the legs yield lower quality. Grades are used in different products.
3) Cleaning
To remove sand, dirt, and grease, wool is scoured in a series of washes. Water, soap, soda ash, and alkali do the work. The fleeces are wrung out, but not fully dried.
4) Carding
Metal teeth straighten and blend the fibers into slivers. This also removes any leftover dirt. Gilling and combing removes short fibers and aligns long ones for higher quality yarn.
5) Spinning
Fiber is spun together to create a strand which is then spun into two, three, or four more. Wool clings to itself making this an easy process. It's then wrapped on bobbins.
6) Weaving
The plaing weave and the twill is used to weave wool into fabric. A simple weave is used to make looser fabrics with little luster, and twill creates tight and intricate patterns.
7) Finishing
Fulling or immersing the fabric in water interlocks the fibers. Crabbing sets the interlock. Decating shrink proofs the fabric. Some wool is also dyed after weaving.