Millymollymandy wrote:** Really silly question alert**
I have to bite the bullet and ask this although I'm probably going to be cringing with embarrassment - but:
OK you get wool from shearing sheep and goats so how exactly do you get the angora wool from rabbits?
Is it just brushed or combed off them or do you clip them? And is angora wool that we know of commonly from knitting the stuff from angora goats or from angora rabbits? (Oh god brain is going into overdrive here now
) so could you not do the same thing with those really hairy (is it angora? persian?) cats?
(and if the answer is on your website but I was too lazy to look I'll feel even more silly!
)
Ha hah a... it's ok. I get this question a couple times a week. Let's spread the knowledge :) "Angora Wool" only comes from Angora Rabbits. ARBA (the American Rabbit Breeders Association) has 4 recognized breeds of Angora Rabbits. Giant Angora (which you must clip), French Angora (you pluck when they are molting), Sating Angora (ditto on the molting) and English Angora (ditto on the molting, but some do clip) ... BTW that is "largest to smallest" too ... Giants are 11+ pounds, French and Satins are around 8 pounds, and English are ~6 pounds.
There is a group of "International German Angora Breeders" ... they have a standard simular to the Giant Angora, but have lineage restrictions. IDK ?
Mohair is the wool product from Angora Goats. And Cashmere comes from "hairy" goats or sheep, it's not a breed thing but a hair type... (as I understand)
Yes, I have links to most of this on my website, just have to dig a bit ;)
I know about the Persian "Angora" Cats, they have "hair" and not really wool. The difference being a straight smooth hair shaft vs. a wool shaft that has crimp and surface "micro hooks" That's a whole other page. Oh oh and "long dog hair" like from an Afghan Hound... ditto on the straight slippery hair ... (like the cat)
How's that?
have a good day, do look @ the bunnies on my website & go through some of the links... ton's of bunny info :)
JLH
