Weaving of Woolen Fabrics

ITI Weaving of Woolen Fabrics Syllabus (English)

Course Overview

• Trade Name: Weaving of Woolen Fabrics
• Duration: 1 Year (2 Semesters)
• NSQF Level: Level 4
• Eligibility: 8th Grade Pass
• Objective: To train candidates in preparing woolen yarns and weaving woolen fabrics using handlooms and power looms, equipping them for roles such as weavers, loom operators, or quality inspectors in textile industries, or for self-employment in woolen fabric production.
• Certification: National Trade Certificate (NTC) by NCVT

Detailed Syllabus

Semester 1

Trade Theory

• Introduction to Woolen Weaving: Overview of woolen textiles, types of woolen fabrics (tweed, flannel), industry significance.
• Wool Characteristics: Types of wool (merino, cashmere), properties (fineness, crimp), grading and sorting.
• Yarn Preparation: Scouring, carding, combing, spinning; yarn twist, count systems (worsted, woolen).
• Weaving Tools: Handlooms, shuttles, healds, reeds; basic maintenance and setup.
• Safety Practices: Handling wool dust, loom safety, PPE (masks, gloves), fire prevention.
• Basic Weaves: Plain, twill, satin; their applications in woolen fabrics.
• Textile Calculations: Yarn count, fabric weight, production estimation.

Trade Practical

• Wool Sorting: Grading wool samples by fineness and length; identifying defects.
• Yarn Preparation: Practicing scouring, carding wool; preparing roving for spinning.
• Handloom Setup: Assembling handloom parts (warp beam, healds); threading reeds.
• Weaving Practice: Weaving plain weave samples on handlooms; adjusting tension.
• Safety Drills: Using PPE, cleaning looms to prevent dust accumulation.
• Quality Checks: Inspecting yarn for uniformity, fabric for weaving defects (e.g., missing ends).
• Project Work: Weaving a small woolen fabric sample (plain weave) with proper selvedge.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours

Semester 2

Trade Theory

• Power Looms: Types (shuttle, shuttleless), components, advantages over handlooms.
• Advanced Weaves: Herringbone, basket, dobby designs; pattern drafting for woolen fabrics.
• Woolen Fabric Finishing: Washing, fulling, raising, shearing; effect on fabric texture.
• Loom Maintenance: Oiling, adjusting healds, troubleshooting common faults (e.g., shuttle jams).
• Quality Control: Fabric testing for strength, shrinkage, pilling; defect analysis.
• Entrepreneurship: Starting a weaving unit, costing, market trends in woolen textiles.
• Environmental Practices: Wool washing effluents, eco-friendly weaving, waste management.

Trade Practical

• Power Loom Operation: Setting up and running a power loom; warping and beaming.
• Advanced Weaving: Producing twill and herringbone woolen fabrics; creating patterns.
• Finishing Techniques: Washing and raising woven samples; checking texture.
• Loom Maintenance: Lubricating power loom parts, fixing minor faults.
• Quality Testing: Measuring fabric shrinkage, testing for pilling on woolen samples.
• Field Exposure: Working in woolen textile units or weaving centers (2-4 weeks).
• Project Work: Weaving a patterned woolen fabric (e.g., twill shawl) with finishing and quality checks.

Hours: Theory: 160 hours | Practical: 240 hours

Additional Components

• Workshop Calculation and Science
  
  • Calculations: Yarn consumption, fabric dimensions, loom production rates.
  • Science: Wool fiber structure, effects of moisture/heat on wool, friction in weaving.
  • Hours: 40 hours/year
• Employability Skills
  
  • Communication: Interacting with clients, reporting defects, teamwork.
  • IT Literacy: Using basic software for production records, online market research.
  • Soft Skills: Time management, resume writing, interview preparation.
  • Hours: 60 hours/year

Assessment and Certification

• Exams:
  
  • Theory: Written exams per semester (MCQs, descriptive questions).
  • Practical: Tasks like loom setup, weaving samples, quality inspection.
• Evaluation Criteria: Weaving accuracy, fabric quality, safety practices, project completion.
• Certification: NCVT National Trade Certificate (NTC) upon passing both semesters.

Career Opportunities

• Employment: Weaver, loom operator, quality inspector in woolen textile mills, garment units, or cooperatives.
• Self-Employment: Handloom weaving business, woolen shawl/blanket production, textile retail.
• Further Studies: Diploma in Textile Technology, certifications in handloom weaving, or entrepreneurship courses.