How Are Angora Sweaters Made?

Women who love soft clothes love Angora. Although it has not retained the popularity of cashmere, Angora still is at the top of the list for those who like a cozy piece of clothing. An Angora sweater is the final product of numerous steps and people. Just how does an Angora sweater get from the farm to your closet?

What is Angora

Angora wool comes from the Angora rabbit. The Angora rabbit is one of the oldest breeds of domestic rabbit. Angora rabbits were first made popular with French royalty in the 1700s, before coming to America in the early 20th century. Garments made from Angora reached the height of popularity in the United States during the 1940s and '50s. During this time the Angora sweater was a staple in every woman's wardrobe. Angora saw a decline in popularity with the introduction of wash and wear polyester fashions in the 1960s.

Harvesting Angora Wool

Angora wool is collected approximately every four months when the rabbit molts as part of its natural fur growth cycle. Fur can be harvested through plucking, combing or shearing. Plucking or combing the molted fur results in the highest quality fleece with the fewest guard hairs because it is harvested naturally without added stress to the fibers. Shearing yields the lowest quality product, but it is much faster than plucking and can greatly increase production. For this reason, sweaters made from plucked or combed fur will always cost more than those constructed from fur that has been sheared.

Spinning Angora Wool

Angora is one of the only materials that can be spun exactly as it is harvested. The highest quality product can be harvested and spun without carding or cleaning if it comes from an animal that has been properly cared for. Most lower quality Angora will require carding, a process of cleaning, separating and straightening the wool to prepare it for spinning.

Construction

Once the wool is spun into a thread, it can be knit into anything. The most popular item by far is the Angora sweater. Because Angora fibers are so fine and delicate, sweaters will usually be made with an Angora blend. A popular blend is Angora and wool. A sweater made of 100 percent Angora is seven times warmer than one made of 100 percent wool, but wool has a shape memory that 100 percent Angora lacks, so a wool blend can extend the life of the sweater.

Care

Like the animal it came from, an Angora sweater will shed. Shake out the sweater after each wearing. It also is important to air the sweater out each time you wear it to remove any body moisture or odor. Once the sweater is completely dry, store it in a cedar chest or with cedar chips and wrap it in nonbleached tissue paper. When it is time to have your sweater cleaned, always take it to a reputable dry cleaner who has experience with delicate fabrics.