Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Fiber tools: wool comb

  • wcu_craft_revival-6118.jpg
  • This wool comb was likely made in the late 1800s. In order to create worsted yarn, fibers must be worked consistently in the same direction. Hand combs are used to pull locks of wool in this way. A weighted comb is loaded with clean uncarded wool and clamped down so that the cut ends of the locks are toward the maker. The maker swipes at the ends with the second comb so that the wool is gradually transferred from the first comb to the second. The first comb is missing from this set. The 19 teeth are five inches long. The creator of this item is unknown.