Animal Fiber
INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL FIBER
Animal fibers are largely those which cover mammals such as sheep, goats and rabbits with well-known examples such as alpaca, merino, wool, fur and mohair. Animal fibers are natural fibers that consist largely of particular proteins. Instances are silk, hair/fur (including wool) and feathers. The animal fibers used most commonly both in the manufacturing world as well as by the hand spinners are wool from domestic sheep and silk. Also very popular are alpaca fiber and mohair from Angora goats. Unusual fibers such as Angora wool from rabbits and Chiengora from dogs also exist, but are rarely used for mass production. Not all animal fibers have the same properties, and even within a species the fiber is not consistent. Merino is a very soft, fine wool, while Cotswold is coarser, and yet both merino and Cotswold are types of sheep. Such comparison can be continued on the microscopic level, comparing the diameter and structure of the fiber. With animal fibers, and natural fibers in general, the individual fibers look different, whereas all synthetic fibers look the same. This provides an easy way to differentiate between natural and synthetic fibers under a microscope. Wool from sheep is the most common animal fiber and is used widely in fabrics of many different types. There are, however, many different animal fiber types which are manufactured into both luxury and commodity fabrics. Fiber producing animals include angora rabbits, goats and camelids (alpaca, llamas and camels). Each animal breed produces fiber types with different qualities. In order to be suitable for the commercial processing of animal fiber into fabric, the individual fibers need to be of a certain grade and consistent quality. The most luxurious fibers are fine, long and smooth. These give a silky appearance and are soft and warm to wear. Most animals regardless of how fine their coats are will have some more coarse fibers; they are
Animal fibers are largely those which cover mammals such as sheep, goats and rabbits with well-known examples such as alpaca, merino, wool, fur and mohair. Animal fibers are natural fibers that consist largely of particular proteins. Instances are silk, hair/fur (including wool) and feathers. The animal fibers used most commonly both in the manufacturing world as well as by the hand spinners are wool from domestic sheep and silk. Also very popular are alpaca fiber and mohair from Angora goats. Unusual fibers such as Angora wool from rabbits and Chiengora from dogs also exist, but are rarely used for mass production. Not all animal fibers have the same properties, and even within a species the fiber is not consistent. Merino is a very soft, fine wool, while Cotswold is coarser, and yet both merino and Cotswold are types of sheep. Such comparison can be continued on the microscopic level, comparing the diameter and structure of the fiber. With animal fibers, and natural fibers in general, the individual fibers look different, whereas all synthetic fibers look the same. This provides an easy way to differentiate between natural and synthetic fibers under a microscope. Wool from sheep is the most common animal fiber and is used widely in fabrics of many different types. There are, however, many different animal fiber types which are manufactured into both luxury and commodity fabrics. Fiber producing animals include angora rabbits, goats and camelids (alpaca, llamas and camels). Each animal breed produces fiber types with different qualities. In order to be suitable for the commercial processing of animal fiber into fabric, the individual fibers need to be of a certain grade and consistent quality. The most luxurious fibers are fine, long and smooth. These give a silky appearance and are soft and warm to wear. Most animals regardless of how fine their coats are will have some more coarse fibers; they are
References: • Understanding Textiles – Billie J Collier, Martin Bide, Phyllis G Tortora • Animal Fiber – Meenakshi Rastogi • Fibers and Yarns – Meenakshi Rastogi • Handbook of Textile Fibers, Vol. I – J. Gordon Cook • Fabric Science – J.J Puzzoto • www.fibertofashion.com • www.