This Pygora (type B) is a natural chocolate brown color . Our Pygora comes from our neighbor Darlene Chambers farm, Pepperment Pastures, in Oregon.  Each order will include a small vial of Peppermint Oil from the wild peppermint that grows at Peppermint Pastures.  We will also include a sheet with helpful tips on spinning Pygora fiber. 

Pygora fiber is probably best suited for the intermediate spinner, but it doesn't take long to learn to love its special and lovely characteristics. It is a little more slippery then wool but still can be spun quite easily.  Pygora, on its own, likes to spin on the fine side.  You should use a fairly high twist ratio so that the fiber will hold its shape through the plying process.  Interestingly, each different fleece will tell you how it wants to be spun!  Plying also needs to be done with a fairly high twist to give you a balanced yarn.

Two-ply will give you a wonderful lace weight for scarves and shawls.  Pygora can be spun medium or fine weight using either a short or long draw.  Use what is comfortable for you.

Pygora is extremely lightweight, and it doesn't look like much until you begin to spin it.....a little can go a VERY LONG way!  Most processed Pygora fiber has been dehaired--removing those pesky guard hairs!  It is difficult to get every guard hair out, so if you desire a completely "guard-hair free" yarn, you will probably have to pull those out as you spin.  I find that many of the guard hairs drop out as I spin and as I soak and set the twist.  If processed properly, the guard hairs will not be offensive to you.

Because Pygora fiber does not have a "memory", Pygora is extremely well-suited for blending and/or plying with other fibers.  I have tried many different combinations and the Pygora seems to enhance each fiber.  Merino is a favorite fiber for blending with many Pygora spinners, as it puts two premium fibers together and extends the versatility of your finished yarn immeasurably. 

Pygora fiber is also well suited to creating novelty yarns, such as boucle.  You can use the fluffy, fine fiber onto a fine thread such as silk, then ply two boucle fibers together.

It can be spun medium or fine weight using either a short or long draw.  Use what is comfortable for you.

In addition to the pleasure of spinning my Pygora is the wealth of COLOR that Pygoras produce everything from white to black with caramels, browns, & grays and many variations of these! 

Pygora fiber and yarn accepts dyes well, and overdyeing the natural colors produces some rich and gorgeous effects!

Pygora goats produce one of three distinct types of fiber:

            "A", because it is most similar to the fiber from an Angora goat

            "B", because it is most like a blend between the fiber from an Angora goat and Cashmere fiber

            "C", because it is most similar to Cashmere fiber

Understandably, the Pygoras produce slight variations on the above, and each goat seems to have a fiber somewhat unique to them.  That's only one of the many reasons I find the Pygora goats so fascinating.  Shearing (or plucking or combing) each one is somewhat like unwrapping a gift!

Which fiber type you choose to spin is strictly a personal preference.  Personally, I like all of the types for the variety!

            Type "A" tends to have a longer staple (3"- 6") with more shine and locks which can be wavy or curly.

            Type "B" tends to be a bit shorter staple than "A", but still has plenty of length (2.5 - 5") and is finer in textures, has some shine and crimp and is just generally "fluffier". 

            Type "C" tends to be the shortest of the three types, with little to no shine or crimp.  This is the finest of  the three types.

Whichever type you choose to spin, the main thought I have for you is to enjoy it!  Also, for those of you from Oregon, you can know you are supporting an Oregon created and Oregon promoted product!