Fibres can be divided into three animal, plant, and chemical. The most common fibres used are wool, cotton and polyester, Wool is the fleece of the sheep that is spun and woven after the animal has been shorn. Different qualities of wool come from different varieties of sheep. Fleeces of merino sheep are most commonly used in Australia. Wool is a protein fibre called keratine. Like human hair, wool fibres have scales which overlap each other. It is because of these scales, which trap the air that wool keeps you feeling warm or cool. Cotton Cotton comes from the seed pod of the cotton plant. It is cellulose fibre, consisting of plant cell, and has different properties from protein fibres. The cotton plant is a dark green bushy plant that grows in warm, moist climates. In Australia, cotton is grown in northern New South Wales and Queensland. Cotton is a fibre with a gentle twist. Cotton may also go through a process called mercerization. This is when cotton is treated in a bath of caustic soda: this strengthens the fibre and gives it a shine. Polyester Polyester is a synthetic fibre that is made from byproducts of petroleum and chemicals. It is a very straight and smooth fibre.