How to Properly Prepare Wool for Carding?

From Shearing to Skein: How to Properly Prepare Wool for Carding? Wool carding is a process that transforms messy fibers into a fluffy, parallel layer ready for spinning or felting. However, 80% of the final product's quality, softness, and durability depends on what happens before the carding machine is even turned on. Proper preparation not only makes the work easier but also protects expensive equipment and ensures premium fiber.

1. Sorting: The First Quality Filter Not all wool from a single sheep is the same. First, it is essential to remove "waste":

   • Skirting: Separate heavily soiled parts (legs or rear), which are typically not used for high-quality products.

   • Debris Removal: Manually pick out large vegetable matter like straw or thorns. Large debris can get tangled so deeply that it becomes impossible to remove later.

2. Washing: The Lanolin Balance Wool is naturally coated in lanolin (wool grease). For carding, the wool must be clean, but the details depend on your goal:

   • Temperature Matters: Wool is washed in hot water (about 60°C) to dissolve lanolin. Use pH-neutral detergents.

   • No Friction: Do not "scrub" the wool; the fiber should be gently soaked and squeezed to avoid felting.

   • Drying: Dry naturally on a mesh, avoiding direct sunlight.

   • Note: Alpaca wool does not need to be washed (it contains no lanolin).

3. Teasing and "Opening" (Optional but recommended) Before carding, wool must be "opened" by hand to fluff the compacted locks. This prevents fiber breakage and ensures a smoother result.

4. Lubrication (Optional but recommended) If the wool is very dry or static, a light mist of water-and-oil emulsion helps the fibers slide, reducing breakage during carding.