Tease

I might get the name of the process wrong, but it's part of the machine that teases the wool after spinning and weaving. This is based at the fantastic Knockando Mill, c 15 miles south of Elgin/Forres - the oldest working mill in Scotland. These things that look like thistles are, sort of thistles - they grow in the garden and are used as a key part of the industrial process (they soak water internally but the thorns remain flexible) - soembody kepp me right on this, please