Wool options

[sathor]

I always hear about sheep wool for kilts, but I wonder if it has ever been done with llama or angora wool? Would it not hold up the same, or cost more? Would it be more or less moth resistant?

Just kinda curious.

[Smayniac]

Not a fiber expert, nor a knitter, but my impression is both of the animals you name have a softer hair than sheep. Perhaps a function of the spinning process since I used to have a sheepskin rug and it was quite soft. I suppose either could be worsted as wool is, but without a market there's not likely to be a rush to produce such a material. Allergies would be an obvious reason to look for other fiber content, do you have another or just curiosity?
Bob

[sathor]

Allergies would be an obvious reason to look for other fiber content, do you have another or just curiosity?
Bob

My son had a field trip to a llama farm about 2 weeks ago. It got me thinking.

[ForresterModern]

Fraser & Kirkbright use merino wool for their tartans which give it a lighter feel and softer hand than standard worsted wool. Never heard of worsting llama or angora into a tight woven fabric.

[Galician]

Stillwater has offered their heavyweight Black Watch (and only that) in merino wool.

[Smayniac]

Stillwater has offered their heavyweight Black Watch (and only that) in merino wool.

I think Scooby's Black Watch was one of these, we bought it off the closeout page last year. It's a fine kilt.
Bob

[Lyle1]

I once knew a guy from Peru who had a sport coat made from llama wool. It was beautiful. The fabric was heavy but very soft,

[The Wizard of BC]

Angora wool is is actually the fur from the Angora Rabbit. The individual fibers are hollow so the fabric woven from it is very light.
When spun it results in what weavers call a "halo" or a fuzzy look.
Angora does not stretch very much so does not lend itself to worsting or the pulling of the fibers to stretch them and make them all parallel while spinning. Worsting also needs long fibers and Angora fibers are only an inch or so long.

The Angora Goat Wool is what is known as "Mohair".

The wool from the Llama is of two types. A fine inner coat and a coarse outer coat.
Llama wool is usually used for rugs cordage and blankets.
It does not take dye well but comes naturally in a variety of colors.
Llama wool is also quite kinky so worsting is difficult.


Diameters of various fibers in micrometers

Black face sheep Wool =15 - 28
Merino Wool = 12 - 20
Alpaca = 26 - 28
Llama = 30- 40
Angora Rabbit = 13
Mohair = 25 - 45

[sathor]

Angora wool is is actually the fur from the Angora Rabbit. The individual fibers are hollow so the fabric woven from it is very light.
When spun it results in what weavers call a "halo" or a fuzzy look.
Angora does not stretch very much so does not lend itself to worsting or the pulling of the fibers to stretch them and make them all parallel while spinning. Worsting also needs long fibers and Angora fibers are only an inch or so long.

The Angora Goat Wool is what is known as "Mohair".

The wool from the Llama is of two types. A fine inner coat and a coarse outer coat.
Llama wool is usually used for rugs cordage and blankets.
It does not take dye well but comes naturally in a variety of colors.
Llama wool is also quite kinky so worsting is difficult.


Diameters of various fibers in micrometers

Black face sheep Wool =15 - 28
Merino Wool = 12 - 20
Alpaca = 26 - 28
Llama = 30- 40
Angora Rabbit = 13
Mohair = 25 - 45

that answered quite a lot of questions, thank you. Even got a few answers for things I hadn't gotten around to asking about, like the whole 'worsted' thing, and the angora had been bugging me for a while, but that didn't seem kilt related, until this thread.

[MacLowlife]

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/13/op...ack-goats.html

Not sure of the last 8 years

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohair