A single fibre of wool is very weak, but by means of a machine these fibres are twisted together to make woollen yarn, which is a strong, loose thread. This twisting together of the fibres is called spinning. The fibres are curly or wavy, and are also rough and scaly, so that they hold together very well.
单独的一根羊毛纤维非常脆弱, 然而, 通过机器加工, 这些纤维便会拧在一起并形成柔软而非常结实的毛纱。这样将纤维缠绕在一起的步骤就叫做纺纱。这些卷曲的纤维非常粗糙且长有鳞片, 可以很结实地缠绕在一起。
The woollen yarn is next woven into cloth by a machine called a loom. If you hold up to the light a piece of any woollen stuff, you will see that it is made of two sets of threads, which cross each other. It is this crossing and interlacing of the threads that is called weaving.
接下来, 一台名为织布机的机器就会把这些毛纱编织成衣服。如果你拿起任何一件羊毛制品对着光看, 就会发现它由两套交叉或十字形的毛线组成。这种毛线之间的交叉就是编织。
The colour of wool as it grows on the sheep's back is a yellowish white. But we can make it any colour we please by dyeing it, which may be done either before or after the weaving.
生长在绵羊背上的羊毛呈现的是一种黄白色。不过可以通过染色让它们变成任何我们希望看到的颜色, 染色可以在编织之前, 也可以在编织之后。
The most common kinds of woollen cloth are flannel, serge, merino, and tweed. Stockings, gloves, and many other articles of clothing, are also made of wool, but not by weaving;they are knitted from woollen thread.
最常见的羊毛衣料是法兰绒、哔叽、美利奴以及粗花呢。长袜、手套与其他很多衣物同样也可以选用羊毛, 不过它们由毛纱针织而不是纺织而成。
Wool is a good material for clothing, for many reasons. It keeps in the heat of our bodies, and does not let in the cold air. It also soaks up the sweat from the skin very well, and thus keeps us from catching cold. Although wool costs more than cotton, woollen clothes are really cheap clothes, because they wear very well indeed.
羊毛是制造衣物的理想材料, 因为：它可以让我们保持身体热量不受冷空气侵袭, 还能够很好地吸汗, 这样我们就不会感冒。羊毛的价格比棉花要贵出不少, 但是毛纺衣物真的是物美价廉, 因为它们非常耐磨。