Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Hand Knit with Fluffy Angora Yarn for Warm, Fluffy Knits

By Martha Fitzharris


If you've been paying attention then you've noticed that knitting has become a very popular trend in the past few years. This has set off an increase of online and physical yarn stores that are rapidly appearing everywhere, in fact, novelty and traditional yarns are also becoming readily available in a variety of textures, thickness and colors.

One type of yarn that has become quite popular is angora rabbit knitting yarn. Angora wool is exclusively from angora rabbits unlike mohair than comes from Angora goats. Their names may be the same, but each animal produces very different products.

Things you may not know about Angora Wool

Angora yarn is so highly valued because it has a low micron count. What is a micron? A micron is the measurement used to express the diameter of a wool fiber. If a wool is fine it will have a lower micron count than a wool that is more coarse.

As a point of reference, merino wool ranges from 10-25 microns. Mohair has a micron count of 25-45 microns. On the other hand, angora wool maintains a micron count of 12-16 microns.

Angora wool is also noted for its halo or fluffiness. Fluffy angora yarn is what gives garments its light, downy appearance. In fact, angora wool is also one of the warmest types of yarn.

If you're wondering why this wool is so warm it's simply because of the hollow strands of hair, a characteristic that gives angora wool insulating properties.

Some people may find the halo bothersome or inconvenient, especially if they have allergies, however, angora can be spun together with other wools to help decrease its softness and price.

In fact, it is probably easier to find angora knitwear that also contains some percentage of other wools, even acrylic fibers. This also goes for angora sweaters. However, you may be able to find smaller accessories (mittens, scarves and caps) that are made with 100% angora wool.

Luckily, if you're a do-it-yourselfer then you can get hold of 100% angora and make your own project. If you don't find the color you want you can even dye it yourself, something that is possible because angora is a natural fiber.

About|Get Acquainted with Angora Rabbits

Just like sheep's wool, the angora wool is removed from the rabbit by one of two processes. The rabbit is either sheared or combed to remove the wool. Shearing produces cut fibers while combing insures a long, uncut strand.

Because rabbits are such small creatures, several people have taking the initiative to raise their own animals and spin their own yarn. However, not everyone is willing to invest the money and effort it takes to have their own angora farm, no matter how small it maybe.




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