Look at our projects for more photos and information about how our home harvested wool and handspun angora yarns turn into articles of clothing.
Fiber.
Wooled rabbits have a rich history, first appearing in Roman records dating from 100 BC. Angora rabbit breeding first appeared at the end of the 17th century in England and was then introduced to France at the beginning of the 18th century. Our French Angoras produce a luxurious fine fiber. It is a light, soft, medullated fiber. It is as fine as the best cashmere, measuring between 12 and 16 micrometers. These characteristics lead to its softness, silky texture, flow, and produce a characteristic halo effect in garments. Angora's fiber structure gives it the highest heat retention and best moisture-wicking properties of any natural fiber. French Angora fiber is known for its strength and spinning fineness. We also aspire to raise rabbits with good levels of crimp and easily achieve staple lengths of four inches or more. Check out our Prairie Fire Fiber Arts website here for more photos of our fiber and to see what we have for sale.
Angora fiber is hand plucked from our Angora rabbits. Every four months or so they release their coat so that we can harvest it as wool for spinning. Harvesting occurs during their natural molting and is pain free. During this process the rabbits get to come into the house and sit in our laps and get attention from the girls.
Our rabbits give us fiber in many shades and colors. From Max and Flowerbell's bright white, to Shellington's Apricot, and Denim and Levi's shades of gray. If you think you would like to purchase some raw wool for your own creations feel free to contact us to see what is available.
We are happy to announce that Allison won several awards at the 2016 Angora National Wool and Skein contest. Allison placed first in the youth garment category for her shrug made from Max's fiber. Also, Denim's fiber won 1st place plucked wool. Allison also received a Judges recomendation!
