Wool Industry
The wool of sheep was soon recognized as one of the most practical to use. During the eleventh
and twelfth centuries, wool trade prospered. The English had become proficient in the raising of
sheep, while the Flemish had developed the skills for processing. As a result, the British began to
sell their wool to the Flemish, who processed the raw material and then sold it back to the English.
Shearing the Sheep
Every year, at the end of winter, sheep farmers shear their sheep, using an electric tool similar
to a razor that removes all of the sheep’s fleece in one piece. A single sheep’s annual fleece
can weigh over 8 kilos, although most are around 3-4kgs. When done with care, shearing
doesn’t harm the sheep – a key priority of our wool vendors at Baabuk. Shearing leaves them
with a thin, cool coat for the summer months. Without shearing, the sheep’s fleece can
severally overgrow. The wool is then sorted and prepared for cleaning.
Cleaning the Wool
A simple step of washing the wool with removes dirt, other contaminants, and natural oils
from the wool. Some of these byproducts of cleaning the wool get used for other purposes.
Lanolin, a wax secreted by sheep that helps to protect their wool, is included in many beauty
products such as skin moisturizer.
Carding the Wool
Next, the wool fibers go through carding, a process that pulls them through fine metal teeth.
Sheep wool is naturally curly; carding straightens out the fibers and makes them soft and
fluffy. Originally, carding would be done by hand using two metal combs. Today, most
manufacturers use machines to card large batches of wool more quickly. By the end of
carding, the wool fibers are lined up into a thin, flat piece. These sheets can then be drawn
into long, thin pieces called rovings.
Spinning the Wool into Yarn
Spinning turns the wool pieces into a material that’s usable. Spinning uses a wheel to spin
2-5 strands of wool together. This forms long, strong pieces of wool that you would recognize
as yarn. Different processes create different kinds of yarn that work for distinct final products.
Worsted spinning, for example, makes a smooth, thin yarn that’s perfect for suits and other
garments made with the finer material. Woolen spinning, on the other hand, makes a thicker
yarn that’s perfect for knitting.
Weaving and Knitting
Some wool yarn is sold directly to consumers, who use it to craft hand -made scarves,
sweaters, and other clothing. Other yarn forms the raw material for all kinds of wool products,
from shoes to coats. It’s woven into pieces of fabric that are ready to be shaped by fashion
designers.
Dyeing
Wool quickly absorbs water, which makes it very easy to dye. It can be dyed at almost any
stage of the process, depending on what the final product will be. Simply submerging the
wool into boiling water with the dye material, or applying colorful dyes directly to the fabric,
produces the desired color.
The process of transforming a sheep’s fleece into soft and cozy wool is truly an art form that
needs to be carefully managed. Although the process can be time-consuming, the end product
carries many natural benefits. We’re proud to produce our sneakers, slippers, and boots with
quality as the primary objective, from 100% natural wool – no blends and no compromises.
Pakistan is world’s 10th largest sheep rearer and 13th largest wool producer country in the world.
cutoff of 2021, the wool industry in Pakistan was facing various challenges. The production of
wool has been declining due to a shortage of grazing lands, which has resulted in a decrease in the
number of sheep and goats. Additionally, there is a lack of modern technology and infrastructure,
resulting in inefficient production processes and low-quality wool.
Furthermore, the wool industry in Pakistan is facing stiff competition from other countries, such
as Australia and New Zealand, which have better production capabilities and produce high-quality
wool. As a result, Pakistan's wool industry is struggling to compete in the global market.
However, efforts have been made to improve the industry's conditions. The government has
provided subsidies and support to the industry to encourage modernization and technology
adoption. There has also been an increased focus on breeding high-quality sheep to increase the
quality of wool produced.
