If you've been left out of the loop you may not have noticed that knitting has become a very popular trend in the past few years. Online and physical yarn stores are popping up everywhere, not to mention the fact that novelty and traditional yarns have become readily available in a variety of textures, thickness, and colors.

One type of yarn that everyone is hoping to get their hands on is angora yarn. Angora wool can exclusively from angora rabbits unlike mohair than comes from Angora goats. Their names may be the same, but each animal produces very different products.

What you Don't Know about Angora Wool

Angora yarn is so highly valued because it has a low micron count. What is a micron? A micron is the measurement used to express the diameter of a wool fiber. If a wool is fine it will have a lower micron count than a wool that is more coarse.

As a point of reference, merino wool ranges from 10-25 microns. Mohair has a micron count of 25-45 microns. On the other hand, angora wool maintains a micron count of 12-16 microns.

Angora wool is also very valuable because it has an incredibly fluffy feeling. So if you've ever wondered how you can get hold of that light and downy appearance you've noticed in certain garments, the answer is fluffy angora yarn. As a matter of fact, another reason so many people covet angora wool is because it is one of the warmest types of yarn available.

The warmth is the result of hollow strands of hair. This characteristic gives angora wool insulating properties that make it seven times warmer than sheep's wool.

Some people don't like the halo effect that surrounds this type of wool, however it can be spun together with other wools to make it less irritating and also less expensive.

In fact, it may be easier to get hold of angora knitwear that also contains some percentage of other wools, even acrylic fibers. This also goes for angora sweaters, mittens, scarves and caps, all of which are made from 100% angora wool.

Fortunately, 100% angora yarn can still be purchased if you are interested in making your own garments. If you don't find the color you want you can even dye it yourself, something that is possible because angora is a natural fiber.

Get Acquainted with Angora Rabbits

As with other wool-giving animals, angora wool is removed from the rabbit by one of two processes. The rabbit will be either sheared or combed to remove the wool. Some people prefer hairs that have been combed off the animal because they feel it is more humane and also because shearing produces cut fibers which leads to a lesser quality fiber.

Unlike larger animals, rabbits can be kept in residential areas which is a reason why so many people have now decided to raise their own animals and spin their own yarn. However, not everyone is willing to invest the money and effort it takes to have their own angora farm, no matter how small it maybe.