Carding Wool

After shearing sheep or other fiber bearing animal, there are several steps that need to be taken for the wool to be usable for spinning or felting.  After shearing, skirting, picking, washing (also called scouring), drying, then comes carding or combing.  This brief introduction is for carding wool using hand cards.

Wool carding is an ancient process by which wool or other fibers like alpaca are separated and then brushed out on two carding paddles (much like dog brushes) to straighten out the fibers.  Once carded the fibers are ready for spinning.

Wool Carders in a basket of llama fiber.