Angora Rabbits are one of the oldest breeds of domestic rabbit. They originate from Turkey along with the Angora goat. They were bred for their soft long fur. I can't quite believe there is a rabbit under there! Of all the fibres in my sample pack I was least enthusiastic about Angora rabbit. I found it an interesting spin but personally I did not enjoy it. I had a nasty allergic reaction to an Angora Mix jumper once, where some fibre got in my eye. My eye was inconceivably swollen for three or four days before the fibre worked its way out and became apparent as the cause. It was a beautifully soft, grey and embroidered jumper, I only wore it once! It was with a considerable amount of trepidation and the sort of willfulness that gets me in to trouble that I set out to spin this fibre, with the attitude of getting it over and done with. It is a shame because it has some really wonderful qualities. It is soft, fluffy and the resulting yarn has a wonderful halo.
It has little elasticity so I think it would be useful to explore blending Angora with other fibres. I can't see me experimenting much with it though. It is a bit like joining a Gym, it has little appeal to me although I can see why others like it! It did make me itch, I expected to get hives (seriously), my nose tickles and my eyes don't feel great, however even though my clothes are covered in a layer of white fluff I am not sneezing or as bad as I expected. I was reading about someone with a severe wool allergy, can you imagine such an affliction? Rabbit hair I can probably live without, but wool! Perish the thought!
Edit: We all went out covered in white fluff today. The little one had it all over his school trousers and I had it all over my behind! Not a good look!
