Welcome to our latest blog post, where we dive into the fascinating world of sheep's wool scouring. At FarmToFibre, we take pride in every step of the wool production process, and scouring is where it all begins. Join us as we unveil the transformative journey from raw fleece to clean, beautiful wool, and discover the meticulous process behind this essential stage of wool processing.
Understanding Wool Scouring:
Wool scouring is the crucial first step in preparing raw fleece for further processing. It involves washing the fleece to remove impurities such as dirt, grease, and lanolin—the natural oil that coats sheep's wool. The scouring process not only cleans the wool but also sets the foundation for producing high-quality yarns and textiles.
The Scouring Process:
At FarmToFibre, we approach wool scouring with precision and care. Our process begins by selecting open fleece with no staple break, ensuring optimal quality. We remove second cuts, vegetation, obvious dirt, and tangles by pulling, not cutting, to preserve the integrity of the fibres. The fleece is then soaked in small batches. We do a couple of different methods here on the farm depending on the time of year. We do the suint method whenever the weather is ok, I'll write up a different post on this method. But in the winter we do the 'most popular' method of scouring.
We add warm water and olive soap to a large outside bath or bucket (a touch of washing up liquid or power scour work well too). We then add small quantities of the sheep's wool to the water with minimal movement to avoid felting. If you plan to do this yourself you may want to do a couple of handfuls of wool at a time, don't over pack your bucket as the wool needs to be able to float around. We then allow the fleece to soak for up to 10 minutes followed by gentle squeeze to get excess water out. We repeat this 2 or 3 times depending on how dirty the fleece is. You need to keep each re-fill of water at the same temperature as quick changes in temperature can felt the wool. We then rinse multiple times until the water runs clean- again changing the water, same temperature and not moving or agitating the fleece to avoid felting. Then move on to the next small batch.
Our gentle scouring approach helps preserve the wool's softness, elasticity, and natural lustre, ensuring that it retains its inherent qualities for crafting exquisite yarns and textiles. We spin the wool using a hand cranked - lets call it an old fashioned washing machine- We spin the wool in one direction to remove as much water as possible. You can you a spin cycle in a washing machine- just place the washed wool in a mesh laundry bag first. Then hang the fleece up to dry, this usually takes a few days depending on the weather.
As you've learned, sheep's wool scouring is a meticulous process that requires attention to detail and a commitment to quality. At FarmToFibre, we take pride in our expertise and dedication to producing clean, beautiful wool that honours the natural beauty of the fleece. Join us in celebrating the art of wool scouring and the transformative power it holds in crafting exquisite textiles that inspire and delight.