Desi Wool Reimagined : Indigineous Indian Wool through Hand Felting
Category: Apparel
Competitions: Fashion Competition 2026
India has the 2nd largest sheep population in the world and yet ranks around 9th in wool production, and nearly 95% of its indigenous wool is limited to carpet manufacturing or remains underutilized. This research challenges that perception by investigating the material potential of Patanwadi desi wool for contemporary apparel applications. Through comprehensive fiber characterization, laboratory testing, and material experimentation, the study demonstrates that although the fiber is coarse and medullated, it possesses promising mechanical properties. Notably, an elongation at break of 42.92%—comparable to crossbred apparel wools—highlights its potential for textile applications beyond traditional uses. These findings suggest that, with appropriate processing and blending strategies, desi wool can be further developed into spinnable yarns suitable for apparel. Rather than viewing indigenous wool as a low-value resource, this research positions it as an untapped material with significant potential to contribute to sustainable, locally sourced, and culturally rooted contemporary fashion.
