The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Wool comb, circa 1800

Item

https://filsonhistoricalimages.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/1978_4_22.jpg

Title

Wool comb, circa 1800

Description

In addition to flax, wool was an important fiber during the colonial and frontier era. Wool combs arranged the fibers, separating the undercoat from outercoat and teasing the wool before carding by disentangling, cleaning and intermixing fibers. Sheep were among the early domesticated animals brought to Kentucky. Home production of wool increased during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 due to trade embargos. Free and enslaved women prepared and spun the wool into a usable yarn. They used the yarn for knitting, or it was taken to a professional weaver (free or enslaved person) who turned it into cloth. Wool was often woven with cotton or hemp in early Kentucky textiles. Approximately 4/12 lbs. of spun wool were needed to make a single blanket. Wool cloth was also sewn into clothing by women.

Source

1978.4.22, Museum Collection, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

Date

Format

Identifier

1978.4.22

Citation

“Wool comb, circa 1800,” The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects, accessed March 29, 2024, https://filsonhistorical.omeka.net/items/show/5823.