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As described above, the
Pygora goat produces both guard hair and soft fiber. Therefore,
when Pygora fiber is used for a project such as spinning, the
ultimate goal in using this fiber needs to be considered in how
it is processed. In most cases, it will be desirable to remove
the guard hairs from the soft fiber before making yarn.
Some Pygora fleeces, such
as from the A-type goats, do not produce many guard hairs and
those few may be very soft. Thus, this fiber may sometimes be
washed and processed to be used “as is.” Care should be taken
when deciding NOT to ‘dehair’—remove the guard hairs—since these
hairs can be uncomfortable against the skin, take dye
differently from fiber hairs and could adversely affect the
twist capacity of the fiber. If the limited guard hairs are
removed and the fiber is spun worsted, a wonderful smooth yarn
with a silky luster results.
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The B-type fleeces are usually finer than
the A-type fleeces (i.e., have a lower micron count). As with
Type A, spinning a high twist, worsted yarn will produce a
lustrous yarn. Spun woolen and fulled, a yarn that has a soft
warm “handle” with a wonderful halo is created.
Type C fiber, on the other hand, has to be dehaired if sheared
because, by definition, the guard hairs are very coarse compared
to the very fine down these goats produce. If the guard hairs
are left in, they would detract from the lovely down
characteristics of the Type C fiber. But, if a Type C Pygora
goat’s fiber is plucked or combed, the product is a lovely down
all ready for spinning into fine, delicate cashmere yarn. (PBA,
J. Hanus et. al.: Pygora Goat Fiber and Its Uses, The Goat
Magazine, 6:5, 2002). |
