Wool (Animal/protein fibre) Grade 10 Term 3 Week 4 Lesson 3 Wool (Animal/protein fibre)

Origin of Wool Hair of many animals - sheep, goats and rabbits Mohair comes from mohair goats and is very expensive

Natural crimp in wool makes it elastic and warm to wear Wool fibre is covered with scales. This makes it a flexible fibre. If fibre is roughly handled when it is washed the scales can lock and the fabric will shrink and felt

Desirable properties of Wool It is flexible and elastic –will move with the body Warm and comfortable to wear –air trapped in hollow centre of wool Very absorbent – never feels clammy on skin Will not wrinkle easily and creases will hang out- wool returns to its original form.

Less desirable properties of cotton Cannot be washed with soap –damaged by alkalis Wool is protein fibre – will be attacked by moths and silverfish. Will turn yellow if left in sun for too long Not very strong – even weaker when wet

Different types of wool Virgin or pure new wool – wool that is being used for the first time Wool –is a mixture of new wool and wool that has been used before Recycled wool –scraps of new or used wool that are shredded back into fibres Lamb’s wool-is fine, soft wool form the first shearing of young animals

Wool mark 100% Pure wool Blend -60% wool

Care and maintenance of wool Not easy to care for wool items Must be gently hand-washed in warm water Avoid hot water – the wool will shrink Garment must not be rubbed – it will mat together Must dry on a flat surface Can also be dry-cleaned

Care label

Super wash wool Wool is treated with a resin to seal the scales so that they cannot move – garments can be washed in the machine and they will not shrink.

Uses of Wool

Silk (Animal/protein fibre)

Origin of Silk Silk is a fibre exerted by a silkworm when it builds its cocoon Silk is also known as “the queen of fibres” Only natural filament fibre

Desirable properties of Silk Very luxurious Strong and abrasion resistant Resistant to moulds, fungi and silver moths Absorbent and comfortable to wear Will not shrink or stretch Slightly elastic

Less desirable properties of silk Damaged by insects Stains easily Can be damaged by sunlight and bleach Very costly to buy Requires special care when cleaned- must be dry-cleaned

Uses of Silk

Maintenance and care of Silk Can be hand washed with mild soap Can not be wrung out Dry carefully – in shade on a hanger Iron at a very low temperature Expensive items must rather be dry cleaned