Embracing Angora
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May 13, 2023
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Angora rabbits are long haired rabbits which are raised for their wonderfully soft and warm hair. There are many different varieties of angora rabbits, such as English, French and Satin, among others. Each one has wool characteristics that create subtly different yarns. Angora wool is warmer by weight than sheep’s wool which makes it ideal for snuggly, insulating winter garments. The micron count of angora is typically between 12 and 16 microns, which means, simply, it has very fine fibers.
Angora does not have the same memory found in sheep wool. This memory is often a product of the crimp found in wool which helps it spring back into shape. Why is this important? If we knit a hat with wool, it will stay snug on our heads without stretching out. If we knit the same hat with angora, it is likely that the hat will stretch and then not return to its unstretched state, thus ending up too big. So why, you may ask, would I want to use angora?
The softness and warmth provided by angora are a perfect complement to wool. If you blend even just 5% of angora with wool you have a much softer, warmer woolen item. It will retain the memory or springiness of the wool to keep the shape of your garment. Angora hairs are hollow and will bloom out from the yarn creating a halo. Both the hollow shafts of hair and the fluffy halo work together to create a heat trap around your body.
You can spin up angora straight from the fluff with no carding or processing. This is my favorite way to spin it into 100% angora yarn. I love making lacy shawls and cowls with this yarn to keep me cozy through the winter. It can also be blended to make fantastic bouncy, ultra soft yarns which have the best properties of both sheep’s wool and rabbit’s wool. Angora also felts well. Mixed with wool it will give you great felted slippers.
Don’t be afraid to add angora fibers and yarns to your spinning and crafting options!
Debbie at Indigo Angora
Local Angora Producer & Crafter