Material Science: From Wool to Needle (Hands-On Wool Processing)
In this 5-week course, students will be taken through the process of processing wool from raw wool to yarn.
Danita
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(1,561)
What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
In this series, students will be introduced to wool processing through lecture and hands-on activity. We will take our project from raw wool to yarn. Some activities will require out-of-class work. Week 1: History of Wool - Lecture - Fermenting our wool (activity) Students will learn the history of wool and the different breeds of sheep bred for wool. Students will start the fermentation of the wool to increase the colorfastness of our dyes. Week 2: Difference Between Hair and Wool Preparing Our Natural Dye - Mini lecture - Activity Students will learn about why we don't call wool "hair". Students will prepare their dyes to use later. Week 3: Carding Raw Wool Into Roving - Mini lecture - Activity Students will learn about the purpose of carding wool. Students will card their wool. Week 4: Dyeing the Wool Chemistry Behind Dyeing Wool - Mini lecture - Activity Students will learn about what happens when we dye natural fibers. Students will start the dyeing process. Week 5: Spinning - Activity Students will spin their wool into yarn.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will use the stove one day to heat our dyes - we will provide a safety briefing, but this can be dangerous. Parents may want to be available that day to assist their learner to maximize safety.
Supply List
Day 1: Raw Unprocessed Wool ($10-20) Container that will fit our wool for fermentation (with a lid) Day 2: Choose any of the following dyes: Madder root (red) Red cabbage (pink, purple, or blue) Beet (dark pink) Avocado skins (light pink) Blueberries or Blackberries (blue) Indigo (blue) Spinach (green) Carrot tops (green) Rosemary (green) Goldenrod (yellow) Onion skins (orange) Coffee grounds (brown) Walnut hulls (brown) Koolaide (whatever color the powder is) Medium pot Stove Digital scale Jars (2-3) or large container to hold the dye large enough for our dye and some wool Day 3: Our fermented wool, washed in cold water and dried completely Hand Carder ($10-25) Day 4: Jars of dye prepared previously Alum (mordant) Roving (we made this from the wool with our carder last class) Rubber gloves Day 5: Drop Spindle ($15)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
"History of Wool and Woolcombing"by James Burnley
Reviews
Live Group Class
$50
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
55 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-6 learners per class
