European Wool Crafting

​To craft, the worker needs specific materials with which to work, Wool is a natural material and is readily available across Europe. Wool is such a versatile material and there are many ways in which to use it in handcrafts, both traditional and contemporary. Of course, traditionally wool was used in knitting, weaving, crochet, and embroidery. Wool was also used for spinning, dyeing, and weaving by hand, all a family’s household goods and clothing. Needle felting and wet felting with wool is now used in contemporary art as well as fashion. The process to go from “sheep to shawl” was and is a time consuming craft. Modern techniques and manufacturers have greatly reduced the time needed to produce woollen products.

But there is still great satisfaction in crafting with wool by hand. And there is a growing interest in learning handcrafts using local wool as well as making, using, and purchasing products from natural wool.

Let’s first talk about the sheep! Like many animals -the breed of sheep determines the coat or characteristics of the wool. Two common breeds used for their wool are Merino and Corriedale. Merino sheep’s fleece is thin, soft and smooth whereas Corriedale wool is know to be a durable medium weight fiber. After sheep are sheared their raw wool is cleaned (all debris is picked out and washed) and carded (a combing process).The finished product is can be called batting, sliver or a roving (but to simply, we will refer to the raw fibers as roving). These raw fibers or roving are the basis for all our wonderful wool products.

https://benziedesign.com