Ethical & Humane 

Hair, fur, and wool have overlapping characteristics but different functions

• Hair, like that found on humans, is made from keratine and is meant to protect skin from the elements. Hair grows in one continuous layer that does not have a maximum length. Hair does not molt seasonally but does shed sporadically. 

•  Fur is a type of hair that is very dense and meant to provide insulation against the elements. Fur grows in layers, having both a top coat and an undercoat. Fur grows to a set length and molts out at the end of the season.  

• Wool is a type of fur undercoat that is grown by specific animals for further insulation against extreme elements. Wool has crimp which allows it to trap air to provide warmth. Wool occurs in both wild and domestic species. Depending on the species the wool will either molt out seasonally or stay on the animal indefinitely until it is cut. Some domesticated wool-bearing animals are depended on humans to help them remove their wool after winter. 

• Animals can possess any combination of hair, fur and wool. An example of this would be angora rabbits who are covered in a fur that is made up of both guard hair and wool. 

Wool Harvesting is a Pain Free Process

Wool removal does not hurt any more than a trip to the salon. And like humans at a salon, rabbits also bond with one each other through grooming. So they find the process of wool removal to be not only enjoyable, but also an experience that strengthens the bond between owner and companion. Additionally, angora wool is very very warm, and in many cases, the bunny is quite happy to be relieved of its fluffy burden. 

Wool is harvested as part of a normal grooming process

With the exception of naked mole rats, sphinx cats, and a few other hairless friends, most domesticated mammals are routinely groomed at some point of their life. The difference in wool bearing animals, is that the loose coat is saved and utilized to make beautiful things that are useful to their human caretakers. 

Wool is removed in a variety of ways. In the modern age people have turned to a practice called sheering that uses electric clippers or scissors. Some of the earliest scissors in history were used to cut wool, plants or the textiles they created. However, throughout human history combing was the main method. Many wool combs can be found throughout medieval and prehistoric settlements. The earliest form of wool harvest is plucking, which involves collecting the shed tufts of wool as they leave the coat of the animal. 

Which method that is used depends on which source of fiber is being discussed. Certain modern varieties cannot simply be plucked or combed, and must instead be sheered. Here at Rarity Fibers our lines carry the "plucking gene" and allow us to harvest wool in a historical method and without the need of any tools .

• Sheep's wool must first be scoured to remove dirt and lanolin. As angora rabbits do not produce lanolin and keep themselves quite clean, a gentle washing is all that is necessary.

• Our fibers are dyed prior to being spun or felted. Currently, we are using a combination of natural and artificial dyes but our company has plans to be using fully natural dyes by 2025. We are currently growing our own natural dyes with the hopes of lessening our carbon footprint. 

• The Prime Wool can be spun into yarn straight from the cloud (in loose form) or can be turned into rolags or blended with other fiber in a batt. Lower Quality wools are turned into felt, stuffing or compost.

• You can view our catalog of high-quality wool and hand-spun yarns here. 

• Prime Fiber refers to the long wool that grows on the shoulders, back, sides, and rump of the rabbit. When you buy a package of raw fiber, a rolag, homespun-yarn, or yarn-based product, it is made from Prime Fiber. 

• Second Cuts typically refers to the shorter fibers that result after a second pass of sheering. Here at Rarity Fibers we do not sheer, and so do not have the traditional sort of second cuts. So when we say "Second Cuts" we are referring to the fiber that grows on the forelocks, chest, and belly that is naturally shorter than the Prime Fiber. We use our second cuts for felting, stuffing, and battening. 

• Waste Wool is the wool that grows by the rabbit's private area as well as nestbox wool or any other wool that is damaged or stained. Here at Rarity Fibers, we believe in the motto of "waste not, want not" and so wash, reuse, and utilize all that we can. Many of our mock-ups, dye tests and personal projects are done using "waste wool". 

The Micron Scale is a unit of measurement in the metric system that equals one-millionth of a meter. It is often used to measure the size of very small objects difficult to see with the naked eye. In regards to spinning and fiber, the micron scale is used to measure softness, as the smaller the diameter of a fiber, the softer it will feel when spun into yarn or thread. We have not yet had our line of wool tested for its exact micron count, but Angora wool normally ranges at 12-16 microns. Here is the average micron count of some other fibers: 

• Human hair: 70-100 microns

• Merino Sheep Wool: 15-25 microns

• Cashmere: 14-19 microns

• Silk: 10-14 microns

Angora Felt is useful because it is thin, light weight and warmer than polyester or sheep's wool felt. Its very useful when making blankets or quilted jackets that need to be warm but also need a lightweight battening to match the fashion fabric. Angora is often paired with silk or organza as it has a similar drape but with additional insulating properties. 

"Waste Wool" is the term for wool that is of too low of quality to be used for spinning or felting. But while it may be very heavy with vegetable matter or staining, it is a misnomer to call it waste wool, because it does still have a use. Unlike polyester or nylon, wool is a natural material that can decompose rather quickly when left to the elements and that makes it a good addition to any compost pile. Keeping this final step of the cycle in mind, we use environmentally friendly dyes and our wools are never treated with harsh chemicals. Our "No-Waste Wool" compost is added with rabbit manure to the soil to fortify it and ensure a healthy garden for the rabbits to eat in the spring.