The spelling of "carding wool," a process of preparing wool fibers for spinning, is represented in IPA as /kɑːrdɪŋ wʊl/. The first syllable, "car," is pronounced with a long "a" vowel sound followed by a "r" consonant sound. The second syllable, "ding," is pronounced with a short "i" vowel sound followed by a "ng" consonant sound. The final syllable, "wool," is pronounced with a "w" consonant sound, a long "u" vowel sound, and an "l" consonant sound.
Carding wool is a process of preparing wool fibers for spinning by aligning them and removing impurities. It involves passing the raw wool through carding tools, typically carding brushes or carding combs. The aim is to separate and straighten the tangled fibers in order to create a more even and consistent product.
During carding, the wool is placed on a carder, which is a flat surface covered with fine wire teeth or bristles. The wool is gently spread out on the carder and carding brushes or combs are drawn across it repeatedly. The teeth on the brushes or combs help to disentangle the fibers, remove any vegetable matter or debris, and align them into parallel strands. This process helps to create a uniform thickness and texture of the wool.
Carding wool serves multiple purposes. It improves the quality of the wool by providing an even surface and removing unwanted elements, such as dirt, grease, or short fibers. It also helps in blending different wools together, creating a consistent and smooth blend of fibers. Carded wool is lighter, softer, and easier to spin compared to uncarded wool.
Overall, carding wool is an essential step in the textile industry to prepare wool fibers for spinning, ensuring a higher quality finished product.
The term "carding wool" comes from the word "card", which originally referred to a tool used to comb or brush fibers. The word "card" can be traced back to the Latin word "carduus", meaning thistle or thorny plant. The association between the tool and thistles likely stems from the prickly nature of both, as the carding process removes tangles, knots, and impurities from the wool fibers. Over time, the term "carding" also began to refer to the act of using the carding tool to prepare wool or other fibers for spinning.