The sudden interest in knitting has brought a great deal of attention to natural fiber yarns. One of the most popular types of natural yarns is angora yarn. This type of yarn has been revered for its low micron count, halo (fluffiness) and warm nature for years.

Angora wool is attained from angora rabbits through a harmless process. These animals are shorn or combed periodically to remove their fur.

Angora rabbits can be bred in residential areas, so it is absolutely possible for everyone to raise, spin and dye their own yarn. Keep in mind, though that these animals should be well taken care of - just like you would take care of your household pet.

Angora Knitwear for You

If you are not willing to raise your own rabbits, you can find a wide range of online and local stores that carry angora yarn for knitting. Some stores even offer handspun wool which is far better than the common machine spun yarn.

Angora knitwear is also available in a variety of stores, however, it is more likely that you will find garments that come from a blend of angora and other yarns. This is mostly because angora wool can be bothersome to people with allergies.

Angora blends are often made of angora, acrylic fibers, and sheep's wool. The purpose behind these blends is to help the angora fiber stay in place and therefore reduce the fluffiness that is what often causes problems in some people.

Angora Garments and Their Benefits

If you're not irritated by fluffy angora yarn then you can reap all of its benefits. One of the biggest benefits is that angora is one of the warmest yarns available, in fact, it is seven times warmer than traditional sheep's wool.

This characteristic is the result of the hollow strand of angora fiber. The hollow chamber acts as an insulating element. This is also why angora yarn is ideal for colder climates.

Angora yarn is also light and airy, as a matter of fact, it feels like a billowy cloud. This is just another characteristic that can be merited to the hollow fibers.

Since it is a natural fiber, you can also dye angora yarn and knitwear to any color you can think of. Dyeing should be done with the cold-dye method instead of messing with boiling water, as natural fibers tend to felt with hot water.

Angora is not only a very versatility product, but also a very beautiful one.