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Qiviut - Under-Wool of the Arctic Musk Oxen
| Qiviut is the under-wool of the
Arctic Musk Ox. It is one of the softest natural fibers in the
world having a diameter on average of only 12 microns.
Musk oxen are not shorn, as the time it would
take for them to grow back their coat is considerable and would
not leave them protected for the harsh Arctic winters. However,
each Spring they do shed their under-wool and it is hand
collected (or in the case of the domestication project - it is
combed out) for processing into to fine yarns and garments. Each
year a musk ox will shed between 5 and 7 pounds of qiviut.
Another source of fiber is from Nunavut in
northern Canada. Musk oxen are a primary source of food in that
region and their pelts, which would otherwise go unused, are
utilized as a source of qiviut fiber.
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This photo was taken by Chris at the Musk Ox Farm
Domestication Project in Palmer, AK. (though not a yarn source
for MSF.)
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Baby Musk Oxen at the feeding trough. |
Mountain Shadow Farm imports its
qiviut yarns and fibers from both Alaska and Canada. We offer
both finished qiviut goods, as well as kits and yarns. |
| Qiviut is extremely soft; it
makes for wonderfully warm scarves and shawls. Check out our
"Stuff We Sell"
and "Yarns & Fiber" pages. |
Qiviut Yarn! |
Contact us at
thellama@mountainshadowfarm.com
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More Info?
For more information on the Musk Ox Domestication
Project, please visit their website at
www.muskoxfarm.org Wild musk
oxen herds would likely be threatened by drilling in the Alaskan
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Please help protect these
magnificent animals by making your voice heard! |
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