The Worsted System of producing yarn
After sorting, the wool with longer fibre lengths is selected and processed to ensure that the wool fibres lie parallel, producing a yarn with strength, smoothness and versatility. The steps in this process are:
Scouring:
the wool is washed to remove dust, grit, suint (sheep sweat) and wool wax
Carding:
rollers covered with small spikes or 'teeth' are used to disentangle the wool staple. This process separates the fibres of the wool so that they are partially straightened, producing a soft rope called a 'sliver'
Combing:
the carded wool is then combed, separating the short fibres from the long fibres. This makes sure that the long fibres have been straightened and lie parallel, producing a continuous strand of long untwisted fibres called a 'top'
Drawing:
several tops are then drawn out together to the thickness of one strand. This helps to blend the wool and ensures evenness and regularity. The loosely assembled or 'drawn' fibres are called a 'roving'
Finisher drawing:
here the thickness of the roving is reduced to further improve evenness and to suit the spinning operation
Spinning:
the extended wool fibres are then spun together on spinning machines. This twists the wool, giving strength to the finished yarn.
The yarn is then wound into skeins in preparation for use in fabric manufacture.