When it comes to really luxurious fibres in your knitting and crochet yarns, you've probably come across cashmere and silk already. But there is one fibre that really is super special - Angora!
What is Angora yarn
Angora yarn is harvested from Angora Rabbits, which have particularly long strands of fur. Most Angora yarn is super-soft, very warm, has thin fibres and with a big fluffy halo making it great for felting, and different breeds of Angora rabbit can have their own individual colours and qualities. Angora yarn can often be confused with Mohair yarn, which comes from Angora goats - if you're wondering what Angora means, it's the old name for Ankara, capital city of Turkey! Pure 100% Angora is often very fine and thin, so it is sometimes used in conjunction with other yarns such as wool. Angora fibres also feature a hollow core, meaning that it's incredibly lightweight as well as feeling silky and warm.
One of the most important things about Angora rabbits is how the fibre is harvested. The majority of Angora rabbits have a very thick fur that naturally moults (normally approximately every four months but this depends on the breed). Unfortunately, there are some cruel harvesting practices used on Angora rabbits where the fibres are plucked out (we won't go into further detail but it's pretty horrible), with 90% of Angora fur being produced in farms and factories in China. After many large brands in the fashion industry uncovered these practices being used in their supply chain there has been a global move to avoid or ban using Angora fibres altogether.
However, these cruel practices aren't necessary (they're normally only used in mass production), and Angora fibres can be harvested safely and ethically - some breeds actually need to be groomed to ensure their fur doesn't mat, as well as to prevent them ingesting their own fur which they can't digest. Most independent and smaller Angora yarn producers will gently harvest the fur from the rabbits by hand, using scissors to ensure the process is kind and gentle and does not cause their rabbits any harm or stress. If you would like to know more about the ethical debates and harvesting practices around angora yarns, our friends at Lovecrafts have an interesting article here.
Where can I buy Angora yarn
When ethical sourcing of Angora fibres is used, producing Angora yarn can be quite labour intensive and can only be made in small quantities. This means that Angora yarn is seen as more of a specialist product (with a corresponding higher price-tag), often made by small independent producers who farm the animals and harvest/spin the fibres themselves, and hence can guarantee that it has been produced in a cruelty-free and sustainable manner. Because of this you are more likely to find Angora yarns on sites where you can find independent producers, such as Etsy. You may occasionally find yarns described as Angora from larger retailers, however we would definitely recommend researching the producers and reading descriptions thoroughly to be sure that you are buying a guaranteed cruelty-free product... and that it's not actually just mohair from Angora goats.
Top Angora yarns
BigWigsAngora yarn
BigWigsAngora is a British yarn producer who specialises solely in Angora yarns. In fact, we first came across their gorgeous yarn (and equally gorgeous rabbits) at the WonderWoolWales yarn show many years ago, and have been big fans ever since. They have their very own herd of around 50 Angora bunnies which they care for and clip (with scissors) themselves - they also have plenty of helpful and clear information on the bunnies welfare and living/grooming conditions on their website. They have a selection of natural and dyed blends of yarn available on their website, all of which feature 25% Angora and 75% Merino Wool.
Visit the BigWigsAngora.co.uk for more information
Belangor Angora yarn
If you fancy trying a 100% Angora yarn that comes in some fabulous colours, then you could try the gorgeous Belangor Angora Yarn. Made from 100% French Angora hair that has been hand-combed in conjunction with the rabbits natural moulting cycles to obtain the longest fibres possible, all while being painless and gentle to the rabbits. It's incredibly lightweight and spun into a DK weight yarn with a huge fluffy halo, and is available in 21 beautiful solid colours!
Buy Belangor Angora yarn from TribeYarns.com
Angora Pure yarn by Seidenhase
Not everyone likes a huge halo (a halo being the word used for fluffy fibres sticking out from the central core or strand of yarn), but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy all the fabulous qualities of Angora fibre. When we found the Angora PURE range by German producer Seidenhase, we were amazed to discover that they're made from 100% Angora - as to the eye they look just like a regular merino yarn! The fibre is homegrown on their own rabbitry (as well as some others from selected trusted German breeders), and available in a range of gorgeous hand-dyed colours. Angora fibre is incredibly lightweight as well as being super-warm, so on a 50g skein of 4ply yarn you'll get approx 260 metres, and you can also buy it as 100g cakes, as a lace weight yarn or as a 50/50 blend with merino.
Buy Angora Pure yarn by Seidenhase on Etsy
Natural Grey Angora Yarn by GretaArtAndCraft
Maybe you're after a 100% Angora wool but one that shows off the natural colours of these gorgeous rabbits? Then we think you'll love this natural grey angora yarn by GretaArtandCraft. This lace weight yarn has lovely natural soft fibres and is made from Greta's own rabbits fur which she cuts by hand using scissors.
Buy Natural Grey Angora Yarn by GretaArtAndCraft on Etsy
Orkney Angora St Magnus yarn
Here's another Angora blend yarn that is available in 35 stunning hand-dyed colours. Orkney Angora is a small family-run business based on the Isle of Sanday, one of the Orkney's most northerly isles (Orkney being an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland). This 50/50 blend of Angora and Lambswool makes a DK yarn that has Angora's soft and fluffy qualities, but with the durability and natural qualities of Lambswool.
Buy Orkney Angora St Magnus yarn from LoopKnitting.com
Angora Geelongora yarn
This Angora Geelongora yarn by NinElDesign is the perfect yarn for if you fancy making a lace shawl or other intricate projects! It's a blend of 75% Lambswool and 25% Angora in a beautiful natural shade, and the 50g yarn cake comes with approx 340m on it! It's described as a fingering weight yarn made up of 2 strands of lace fine yarn, so be aware it's probably going to be a bit finer that your standard 4ply/fingering weight yarn. It's also CAREGORA certified, meaning it not only meets European animal welfare standards but also the "Animal Welfare Code of Recommendations for the welfare of livestock" recommended and promoted by DEFRA (the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
Buy Angora Geelongora yarn on Etsy
Noro Okunoshima Angora yarn
If you want to combine your love for Angora with a range of other luxury fibres, then you'll love this Noro Okunoshima Aran yarn! Comprising of 35% silk, 28% wool, 20% angora and 17% mohair, it's setting out its luxury status right from the start. Noro is also known for their amazing colours, as they dye the fibres before hand spinning, producing unique and interesting effects in these multicoloured 100g balls.
Buy Noro Okunoshima Angora yarn on Etsy
Angora 50 DK yarn
Lastly we've chosen this Angora 50 yarn brought to you by TheLittleKnittingCo. It's made up of 50% Angora fibres, 30% Wool and 20% Nylon fibres, so you're still getting plenty of that gorgeous Angora fibre. This DK yarn comes in sweet little 25g donut balls which surprisingly gives you approx 115 metres - making it a really affordable choice for if you fancy giving Angora fibres a try!
Buy Angora 50 DK yarn on Etsy
We hope you’ve enjoyed our pick of the best Angora yarns - If you'd like some more yarny inspiration why not check out our pick of the best merino yarns or the best mohair yarns, or if you want to avoid animal fibres altogether you can check out the best vegan yarns available!
Don’t forget if you need any help with your crochet stitches you can always check out our crochet for beginners guide, and for knitters check out our knitting for beginners guide. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our list of the best crochet hooks or the best knitting needles.
