Wool processing

• Notes on spinning and felting - Johanna Hartnagel
• Microphtographs of fibers - Jean Warholic
• Local textile history - Jean Warholic
• Wool lab pictures
• Wool types handout (Word file)

This lab introduces students to wool processing. The class will be divided into five groups which will be rotated among the following stations:

• Natural fiber identification
• Carding
• Spinning
• Felting
• Dyeing

This lab session was originally designed by Dr. Hilda Mitchell when she was an undergraduate student at Cornell. It is greatly enhanced by local members of the Blacksheep Handspinners Guild who help to teach the carding and spinning part of the lab.

Felting

Flat felt:

1. Lay out the fiber in three perpendicular directions on a piece of netting
2. Cover the fiber with the rest of the netting
3. Wet with warm soapy water
4. Roll the fiber 20 times each in 8 directions
5. Remove from the netting if it is holding together
6. Wad up and squeeze like a stress ball
7. When felt is hard rinse and enjoy

A ball:

1. Wind the fiber tightly into the shape of a ball of the desired size
2. Wrap in netting to hold together
3. Wad up and squeeze like a stress ball
4. When felt is hard rinse and enjoy

Dyeing

• Use one packet of KoolAid in two cups of hot water
• Combine wool, KoolAid (unsweetened), and water
• Wool will absorb color from water