Carded Wool...
Carded wool is a wool fibre that has been prepared using carding machines which is a mechanical process that involves passing the wool fibres through a series of wire teeth known as carding combs. This process helps to remove any vegetable matter/debris from the wool after it has been washed. It also Separates the fibres and puts t
hem into a wool mesh. Once the wool has been Carded it can then be used for the wonderful needle felting craft either for 3d needle felting projects or 2d wool art pictures.
Carded wool comes in a whole range of different breeds from coarse fibres to extra fine. The most coarse fibres are usually used as the core for 3d needle felting projects because they felt quickly due to the natural crimp of the wool where as the fine fibres (carded merino) are more costly and are used for a top coat of colour or for finer details on 2d felting projects. The Fine fibres such as the carded merino give a beautifully smooth finish to your projects.
Wool Tops / Wool Roving...
Wool Roving undergoes a process of combing the wool to remove shorter fibres to create a smooth consistent texture of parallel fibres that all run in the same direction
(more like combed straight hair). These can also come in a wide range of breeds from coarse to fine fibres.
In needle felting you would usually use wool roving to add hair to a figure or for making a long fur coat on your furry animals.
Carded Wool Slivers...
Wool Slivers are a combination of the two wool types above! The wool fibres are carded and then put into a machine which puts the carded web of fibres into a long rope like state.
These slivers are usually used for wool spinning but are fantastic for us needle felters as they are great for wrapping around armature!