Manufacturing of blanket (Kambali) by traditional methods using Coimbatore sheep wool at Kalangal Village

Abstract

Since ancient time, the manufacturing of textile goods has been carried out in India using indigenously produced natural fibres, i.e. wool, silk, ramie, etc. by rural artisans. Although, the techniques used in manufacturing such goods are labour intensive, which makes products costly. These processes are eco-friendly and provide large employment to rural artisans. Apart from this, the products possess good hand and have much acceptance among users. Among the various textile products produced using traditional knowledge, manufacturing of blanket using indigenous traditional knowledge of yarn spinning and blanket weaving from Coimbatore wool is one of the products, which is unique in construction and performance. In the paper, detailed information on availability of wool, its quality, processing technique, conversion of wool fibre into yarn, then yarn to blanket.