Keepsake Pet Fur Hat and Mittens

We have a Chow mix breed dog which is a walking fluffy, fur factory. In shedding season she can produce absolutely amazing amounts of undercoat. Since I am a hand spinner, my son wanted me to yarn some mittens for him out of her admittedly soft sheddings. It looked something like Angora Rabbit fur, so I gave it a try.

Fluffy fur produced a really soft cute hat and mitten set.

Here are the directions for processing and knitting up the set.

Hand spinning exotic fiber like angora rabbit, cashmere goat, quivit, cat fur, bison undercoat, and other downy undercoat fibers is much the same. They felt very easily, so work with dry hands. They are usually very short and extremely fine and slippery. Unlike wool, the fibers will not grip to one another very well. Therefore, one needs to spin the yarn very fine, with LOTS of twist. Over time the yarn will develop a halo much like the famous angora rabbit sweaters.

So to repeat. Spin fine with lots of twist -- then ply for a thicker yarn.

After the spinning is done, give the yarn a nice gentle wash in mild soap. Rinse with lemon juice or vinegar to get any doggy odor out of the yarn.

Then you can knit your favorite pattern, or use one of the patterns below.

This is a vest I knit for a friend after spinning her favorite puppy fur into yarn.

Simple Hat Pattern 2 oz. wool or 1 oz exotic fiber number 6 American needles number 8 American needles

Directions: (child's hat) ROW 1-12 Cast on 60 stitches on number 6 needles. Knit one, purl one pattern for 12 rows.

Change to number 8 needles and knit in stocking stitch for 20 rows. Check to see if hat will encompass childs head. The best way recommended by traditional knitters is to see if the length from ribbing is as long as the wearer's hand from palm bottom to middle finger tip. If more length is needed knit a few more rows. (Yes I know people say my patterns drive them nuts.)

SHAPING: When the length is proper then begin the decrease rows. *Knit two together, knit one, knit one.* Repeat * * across the row for 40 remaining stitches. Knit two rows plain stocking stitch. Then *Knit two together, knit one, knit one.* Repeat * * across the row for 20 remaining stitches. Knit a row in stocking stitch. Then knit two together across the next row. Knit a row in stocking and then pull yarn through remaining 10 stitches and draw together. Stitch hat together down the back.