How to Spin Angora Rabbit Fur

The fur your angora sheds every six to eight weeks doesn't all have to end up on your clothes - you can make it INTO clothes!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Angora rabbit or other long-haired animal
• Brush or comb
• Drop spindle

1. Be sure your animal's coat is clean and relatively free of mats. Brush gently to remove thick angora coat. When the coat is fully grown the soft fur will pull out easily, leaving the coarser overcoat behind. Alternatively, the coat may be pulled out gently with the fingers.

2. Store harvested fur in a clean place, such as a plastic bag, until ready for use.

3. Start the drop spindle by wrapping a few feet of store-bought yarn around the base and then looping it around the base point and back up to the hook. The loop around the base should stop the yarn from unwinding when the spindle is suspended by it.

4. 
   Don't worry, that's not from brushing. He had some mats cut out before we started.

   Hand spin a small amount of fluff and tie it to the store-bought yarn. Give the spindle a spin and allow it to turn in space, winding your fluff tighter. Stop the spindle with your foot or hold it between your knees as you pull out more fluff from the bunch in your hand. Allow the spin to wind up what your just released.

5. Repeat the process of letting fluff evenly out of the mass in your hand and allowing the spindle to wind it. If it gets loose, give the spindle another good spin to recharge your twist.

6. 

   Wind the completed yarn around the spindle when you start to have to hold the spindle too high.

7. 

   Wind the completed yarn into a ball when you are finished, and use as you please. This striped scarf was created using Angora wool and some store-bought soft kid wool, and it's the softest scarf the world has ever known!

[Upon-Request]

on 12/24/2008 Good info for the angora bunny crowd ;)