The process illustrates the various stages involved in the production of wool, from the initial shearing of sheep to the creation of finished consumer products.
Overall, the process consists of approximately ten distinct steps, beginning with the collection of raw materials and ending with manufacturing or recycling. The process can be divided into three main phases: preparation, spinning, and final production.
The cycle begins with shearing, where the fleece is removed from the sheep. Once collected, the raw wool undergoes a cleaning phase to remove impurities before being moved to the drying stage, which is done outdoors. Following this, the wool is spun into a workable form. At this point, the process branches into two paths. Some wool is processed into tufts and kept in tuft storage, while the rest is turned into string or balls of yarn. In the final stage, these materials are either knitted or manufactured into items such as jackets and carpets. Notably, the diagram also includes a recycling stage for string, allowing the material to be reused.