All About Fleece

For fleece pricing please refer to the ETSY Shop for current pygora prices and availability.  Our fiber has been washed, dehaired and is ready for your eager hands to blend, dye, spin, etc.

More Fun With Fiber

The pygora fiber can be dyed, felted, or spun on a wheel. You won't believe your senses when you see and feel this fiber!

Fleece

The fleece of a Pygora goat is simply wonderful. Once it has been washed and processed, it may be blended, dyed or spun. The Pygora goat is a cross between an Angora goat that produces mohair, and a Pygmy goat that produces a short, very fine down. The fiber of Pygora goats reflects the best qualities of both the Angora and the Pygmy. From the Angora goat comes long, silky-smooth, lustrous ringlets. The Pygmy goat contributes its very fine down, in some cases fine enough to be classified as cashmere. This combination of qualities results in fiber with an excellent range of characteristics that maintains fineness as the animal ages. Pygora fiber may be spun and then knitted, woven or crocheted. Because of the fineness of the fiber, it spins into a lovely yarn that is soft enough to be worn next to the skin. Items such as baby garments or luxurious shawls are well suited to Pygora yarn. Pygora also felts beautifully and locks of Pygora may be used to create wigs, beards or novelty toys. Pygora fiber is fast becoming the preferred choice of  crafts persons and fiber artists for any number of diverse projects.

Fiber Types

Type A is a long fiber, averaging 6+ inches in length. It drapes in long lustrous ringlets. It may be a single coat, but a silky guard hair is usually present. The fiber is very fine, mohair-like, usually less than 28 microns. The handle should be silky, smooth and cool to the touch.

Type B is a fiber with characteristics of both mohair type and cashmere type fleece, and unique to pygora goats. It’s usually curly and should average 3 to 6 inches in length. There is an obvious guard hair. A second silky guard hair is also usually present. There should be luster and the handle should be soft and airy. The fiber should test, on average, below 24 microns. The fleece color is usually lighter than the guard hair color.

Type C is a very fine fiber, usually below 18.5 microns, and can be acceptable as commercial cashmere. It must be a least 1 inch long and is usually between 1 to 3 inches. It has a matte finish and a warm, creamy handle. It must show crimp. There is good separation between a coarse guard hair and fleece. The fleece color is usually lighter than the guard hair color.

Fiber Preparation

The hardest and most time-consuming part is preparing for harvest.

There are several steps to prepare a fleece.

1. Remove all visible dirt and debris. It is important to do this first or you could wash dirt in deeper. I use a brush to very lightly brush the fleece, teasing the vegetable matter out. Don’t comb it like hair; use short quick strokes with a dog slicker or a hairbrush with balls on the tips of the bristles. It is very important not to brush the locks out. I purchased a Circuiteer blower to blow the dust and hay out before I shear them.

2. Harvest the fleece! This can be done by shearing, combing, or plucking.

3. Wash and Dehair. The fleece may be sent off for processing at several mills across the country, or you can do this yourself. I personally send mine off for processing.   If you wish to wash and dehair it yourself, you need to do so carefully so as not to felt the fiber.

If you are showing your fleece, the PBA has different guidelines. The fiber must be in a clean but natural state, and washed on the goat prior to shearing.

This fleece is so soft, that pictures really do not represent it's properties.  It is all about the feel, handle and touch!