Bredasdorp Wool Spin and Weave

Creating opportunities through wool processing

South Africa produces around 45 million kg of wool per year, of which more than 90% is exported. The Overberg area is one of the largest wool-producing regions in the country, and we’re renowned for our wool-producing sheep. But there is little to no pure wool to buy here.

So in order to make the most of our region’s wool, Bredasdorp Park NPC, in co-operation with the Women’s Agricultural Association (WAA), is launching a new project called Bredasdorp Wool Spin and Weave.

The aim of this project is to empower people in the community with skills development in wool processing. Wool is collected from local farms, and then used to train people to process the wool from a raw product to the finished item – creating employment in the process.

The cooperation between Bredasdorp NPC and WAA fits perfectly. Bredasdorp NPC has the right facilities to host the wool-processing training programmes, while WAA already equips and teaches women and men a variety of creative programmes.

Here’s how it will work

There are four qualified weavers who will train people who join the programme. These women are the pioneers in our community, and they will share their knowledge and skills with other women in the community and so expand the business opportunities.

They are already in the process of training young women in the handling of wool. This includes cleaning and scouring, as well as carding the wool to spin the threads into yarn to be used for knitting, crochet, and weaving.

The next steps

The aim of the extended project is to now train and employ people in the processing of wool and the production of wool products including weaving of rugs and knitted products. These wool products can be sold online or to tourists visiting the area. And this in turn will allow these women to generate their own income.

But it’s more than about earning an income: this project aims to empower women to become successful entrepreneurs who take care of themselves, their families and their communities. This helps to restore a sense of self-worth in these women, who are often dependent on their husbands or children.

The project follows these steps:

1.

We will provide training on how to prepare the wool by cleaning and scouring, as well as carding.

2.

Yarn will then be spun from the wool threads, and bundles of wool yarn will be created for the women’s use and to be sold.

3.

The wool yarn will be used for various products including rugs, place mats, jerseys, cardigans and many other products.

4.

Training will be provided by the WAA women to ensure quality.

5.

With quality products we can enter the tourism industry and sell goods online.

Students who perform exceptionally well become instructors and become part of managing the project.

What the training entails

A curriculum has been drafted and is under development because there is no such accredited curriculum currently available in South Africa.

The training course includes:

Fibre theory
1. Information about available fibres in South Africa
2. Characteristics of these fibres and how to use them
3. Uses of these fibres after spinning
Cleaning and maintenance of fleece directly from sheep
1. Cleaning wool
2. Maintenance after cleaning
3. Maintenance of spin wheel
Botanical dyeing
Information
Practical exercise
1. Spinning of a drop spindle
2. Short description/theory and demonstration
3. Construction
4. Attaching yarn
5. Drafting
6. Twist and park
8. Practical exercise
Spinning yarn of a spinning wheel
Technical information/theory
Wheel construction
Attaching fibre
Irish tension/Scottish tension
Woollen spun/ Worsted spun
Drafting methods
Plying two ways
Setting up a spin wheel
Spinning
Spinning and drop spindles
Rolling down finished spun yarn into skeins / balls.
Various new and innovative products that can expand the market

The benefits of the project

The impact of the project will be:

Skills development, empowerment and entrepreneurial businesses
2. Job creation
3. Product creation which can be sold in the tourism industry
Support to our local farmers by buying the wool from them
Developing people of all ages to take care of themselves
Support to our regional economy

Why this project
matters

This project will not only benefit the individuals involved in the training and job creation opportunities, but also provide an opportunity to showcase South African wool and the whole value chain of wool production from start to finish.