Talk:Wool top

This is just a start!!!! I was looking for info on this subj and was surprised that it is not here! I'll research and add over the next few weeks.Jtmilesmmr 17:49, 6 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Chargeurs Wool USA is "the last topmaking mill in the USA specializing in U.S. wool top for export and domestic markets" is the quote that got me interested. I had been under the impression that wool top was just the better wool from the top of a sheep , vs the lower quality belly wool. Now I know better, but I didn't find it on Wikipedia. I'll add more verif info as I find it so that others can get a quick answer when they wonder what wool top is Jtmilesmmr 17:59, 6 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I am no expert on this subject. I would be delighted to see others add to the subject..Jtmilesmmr 18:05, 6 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The pictures that I see via Google show Chinese made wool top as sort of an unspun yarn.Jtmilesmmr 17:35, 7 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Chargeurs Wool USA is indeed the last topmaking mill in the US (in modern times we never had more than three). Wool top is used specifically for the spinning of fine yarns such as those used in high quality men's suiting or next-to-skin knits. The comments that topmaking left the US due to high us of labor and water are not true. Top mills are highly efficient operations requiring very few people to operate. While a significant amount of water is required to scour (wash) the wool in preparation for carding and combing the 'dirty' water created is easily treated using standard water settling treatment methods. The reason much of the US wool processing industry moved to China (and other countries) has more to do with proximity to the needle trades that use wool fabrics that are ultimately manufactured from wool top than the cost of labor or effluent treatment.Mickdrigg (talk) 00:27, 12 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You seem to know a lot. Why not update the article to make it better?Jtmilesmmr (talk) 17:24, 12 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]