Articles

If you've been paying attention then you've noticed that knitting has become a very popular trend in the past few years. Online and physical yarn stores have popped up everywhere. Novelty and traditional yarns have become readily available in a variety of textures, thickness and colors.

One type of yarn that has become quite popular is angora yarn. Angora wool is obtained from angora rabbits, not to be confused with mohair which is obtained from Angora goats.

A Bit of Information about Angora Wool

Angora yarn has a low micron count which is the measurement used to express the diameter of a wool fiber. A fiber with a low micron count is much finer than one with a higher micron count.

As a comparison, merino wool can range from 10-25 microns while mohair ranges from 25-45 microns. Angora wool, however, maintains a micron count of 12-16 microns.

Angora wool is also very valuable because it has an incredibly fluffy feeling. Fluffy angora yarn is what gives garments its light, downy appearance. In fact, angora wool is also one of the warmest types of yarn.

Angora strands are hollow which is the reason why it has the insulating properties that make it seven times warmer than sheep's wool.

Some people don't like the halo effect that surrounds this type of wool, however it can be spun together with other wools to make it less irritating and also less expensive.

In fact, it may be easier to find angora knitwear that is also made with some percentage of other wools, even acrylic fibers. This also goes for angora sweaters, however, you can also find smaller accessories such as mittens, scarves and caps made with 100% angora wool.

Fortunately, 100% angora yarn can still be purchased if you are interested in making your own garments. Because this fiber is natural, you can dye it yourself or simply look for dyed wool.

Angora Rabbits

Similar to sheep's wool, the angora wool is removed directly from the rabbit by one of two processes. The rabbit is either sheared or combed to remove the wool. Combing is often preferred over shearing because it doesn't lead to a cut strand of lesser quality.

Unlike larger animals, rabbits can be kept in residential areas which is a reason why so many people have now decided to raise their own animals and spin their own yarn. However, this does require a certain level of investment, both in time and money.

ANGORA YARN offers hand dyed and handspun yarn made with 100% angora fiber. The angora rabbits that are used to produce this soft wool are cared for and combed on a regular basis in order to harvest their hair. This attention to detail is what helps ANGORA YARN produce plush and unique wool.