Waulking - Finishing the Cloth

Waulking - Finishing the Cloth

Waulking, is the traditional method of washing woolen cloth after it has been removed from the loom. Using a mixture of water, soap and human urine, the wool was washed, pounded by hand and sticks then stomped on with feet. When the cloth reached the desired shrinkage it was rinsed thoroughly in a stream or pond. This process would shrink the cloth and give it a pleasant feel. Waulking was a social activity bringing together the women from weaving families. The women would sing traditional waulking songs while they worked the cloth. [SB] {HT}