Estonian and Norwegian Sheep Wool as a Textile Material

Properties and Possibilities for Use Based on the Example of the Wool of Six Sheep Breeds

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.5450

Keywords:

local sheep breeds, testing of wool properties, wool value chain

Abstract

In Estonia, up to 90% of local wool is not adequately valued, while in Norway, due to the well-functioning wool-buying and -sorting system, a large part of local wool is used purposefully. However, both countries have room for improvement in terms of the better usage of local wool. This article provides an overview of the Estonian-Norwegian wool research conducted in from 2020 to 2023 and its main results. During the study, wool was collected from three Estonian and three Norwegian sheep breeds, semi-worsted yarn was made from it, and knitted and woven fabrics were produced. Wool, yarn, and fabrics were tested in numerous ways. The paper presents the main test results and suggests how wools with a wide range of qualities can be used in innovative ways to create textiles. The smart use of materials is based on the possibilities offered by medium-sized production and knowledge about local wool.

Author Biographies

Ave Matsin, University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy

Lecturer (MA)

Merje Beilmann, TTK University of Applied Sciences 

Lecturer (MA)

 

Marte Espelien Blomli, Selbu spinneri AS

entrepreneur (M.sci.)

 

 

Astri Kaljus, University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy 

Lecturer (MA)

 

Liina Lehis, Muru spinning mill

entrepreneur

 

Ingvild Svorkmo Espelien, Selbu spinneri AS

 

entrepreneur (M.sci)

 

Diana Tuulik, University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy

Lecturer (MA, MBA)

TTK University of Applied Sciences 

 

Eli Wendelbo, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) 

Assistant professor

 

References

Alsborn, N. M. (2022). Meeting the material halfway: Exploring the material affordances in Norwegian Old Spæl Sheep spring wool using felting as technique. [Master’s Thesis University of South-Eastern Norway]. https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3028398

EVS-EN ISO 139:2005 Textiles - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing.

EVS-EN 12751:2000 Textiles - Sampling of fibres, yarns and fabrics for testing.

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Matsin, A., Beilmann, M., Espelien Blomli, M., Kaljus, A., Lehis, L., Svorkmo Espelien, I., Tuulik, D., & Wendelbo, E., (2023). From Wool to Fabric. Estonian and Norwegian sheep’s wool as a textile material. Production, properties and possibilities of use on the example of the wool of six sheep breeds. University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. https://sisu.ut.ee/sites/default/files/eestivill/files/wool_to_fabric_a4_12_0.pdf

Norsk sau og geit [The Norwegian Association of Sheep and Goat Farmers]. (2022, September 12). www.nsg.no

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Published

2023-09-20

How to Cite

Matsin, A., Beilmann, M., Blomli, M. E., Kaljus, A., Lehis, L., Espelien, I. S., Tuulik, D., & Wendelbo, E. (2023). Estonian and Norwegian Sheep Wool as a Textile Material: Properties and Possibilities for Use Based on the Example of the Wool of Six Sheep Breeds. FormAkademisk, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.5450

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