Chiengora (dog hair yarn)
Also known as: dog wool, dog fibre, combed dog hair
Yarn spun from combed-out dog undercoat — up to 80 % warmer than sheep's wool and a keepsake from a beloved pet.
Description
Chiengora — a portmanteau of the French chien (dog) and angora — is yarn spun from combed-out dog undercoat. The term was coined by American spinner Annette Klick. Dog-hair yarns have been documented since prehistoric Scandinavia and among the Coast Salish and other First Nations peoples along the North American Pacific coast.
Only the fine, soft under-fleece (not the coarse guard hair) is suitable for spinning; ideal breeds include Samoyed, Chow Chow, Golden Retriever, Newfoundland or Australian Shepherd. Before carding, the fibre is thoroughly washed and usually blended with sheep's wool, alpaca or silk to improve tensile strength and drape. It is used for hats, scarves, mittens and emotionally charged keepsakes.
- Up to 80 % warmer than sheep's wool — an outstanding insulator
- Only the undercoat is used; guard hair stays too coarse
- Typically blended with wool/alpaca for tensile strength
- Primarily a niche craft and keepsake from one's own dog
Properties
| Fibre type | Animal natural fibre (dog undercoat) |
|---|---|
| Suitable breeds | Samoyed, Chow Chow, Retriever, Newfoundland |
| Warmth | up to 80 % warmer than sheep's wool |
| Blend recommendation | 30–70 % blended with wool, alpaca or silk |
| Application | Hats, scarves, mittens, keepsakes |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Chiengora Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiengora
