What do I do with all that animal hair? Can I knit it?

The kind people over at rec.crafts.textiles.yarn helped me out.

When harvesting the wool it is best to use the fur from brushings. If the fur is clipped or cut, the blunt ends of the fibre will make whatever it is you decide to knit or crochet itchier, but they can be used. The fur should first be washed by placing into a cloth bag and soaked it in a lot of water with 1/2 teaspoon of shampoo or gentle wool cleanser. Do not agitate the wool as it will felt (turn into a clump). The fur must be rinsed very well. Just gently left the whole mass out, and then place into fresh water at the same temperature as the first bath at least three times to ensure all the soap has been rinsed away. Naturally, the fur from only healthy animals should be used - any fur from sick animals or animals that have skin disorders should not be considered.

To make pure cat wool, or any wool for that matter, the individual strands should be over an inch long - Persian cats may have a coat that is long enough. A fibre that will spin into yarn well needs to have a crimp in it like ~~~~~~. The tighter the crimps (ie., smallest wavelength, largest amplitude) are best. From observation, Shmoggleberry's undercoat has such crimping, but his guard hairs don't. Apparently you can "card" the loose fibre to separate the desirable strands.

If you have a short-haired cat, or want something that is easier to spin, it was very much recommended to blend the cat fur with sheep wool instead of using pure cat fur. It is easier to spin and gives the yarn more strength. Some people have done it and they say it turns out much like a wool/angora blend. If trying to go for the pure cat hair yarn, a two-ply (or more) yarn will be less likely to separate under tension. I have tried to hand-spin Shmogg's fur and although I do get a wool out of it, it breaks up when any stress is applied, but then again, Shmoggleberry is a short haired cat. A "drop spindle" can be used for small projects if you don't want to invest in a full spinning wheel.

If you have both cat & dog, some dog hair spins wonderfully - naturally, long haired breeds have an advantage. Spun Samoyed fur is said to rival even the softness of angora. If you enjoy spinning or just plain curious - experiment and see if you can make something out of all that fluff and fur that otherwise clogs up the vacuum.

I don't spin myself, but I am a mad knitter and crocheter and can think of nothing more unique than a garment made out of my pets fur. It would be a wonderful memorial to still be able the enjoy the touch of Shmogg's fur on my skin long after he passes to Rainbow Bridge. I hope my knitting skills can do him justice.

Copyright © Vicky Chapman
January 23, 2000