Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Animal Fiber shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Animal Fiber offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Animal Fiber at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Animal Fiber? Wrong! If the Animal Fiber is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Animal Fiber then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Animal Fiber? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Animal Fiber and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Animal Fiber wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Animal Fiber then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Animal Fiber site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Animal Fiber, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Animal Fiber, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
Animal fibers are natural fibers that consist largely of particular proteins. Instances are silk, hair/
fur (including wool) and feathers. The most commonly used type of animal fiber is hair.
Not all animal fibers have the same properties.
Alpaca#Fiber is known for its softness, and
silk for its sheen and strength. Even within a species the fiber is not consistent. Merino is a very soft, fine
wool, while Cotswold is coarser, and yet both merino and Cotswold are types of
sheep. This comparison can be continued on the microscopic level. With animal fibers, and
natural fibers in general, the individual fibers look different, whereas all
synthetic fibers look the same.
The animal fibers used most commonly both in the manufacturing world as well as by the
spinning (textiles) are wool and
silk.
Silk
Silk is a "natural" protein
fiber, some forms of which can be
weaving into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from
Pupa#Cocoons made by the larvae of the silkworm
Bombyx mori reared in captivity (
sericulture). The shimmering appearance for which silk is prized comes from the fibres' triangular prism-like structure which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles. Silk is also the strongest natural fiber known to man.
The length of the silk fiber depends on how it has been prepared. Since the cocoon is made of one strand, if the cocoon is unwound carefully the fibers can be very long.
Wool
Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals of the Caprinae family, principally sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats, alpacas, and
rabbits may also be called wool.
Alpaca
alpaca wool fiber is that of an alpaca. It is warmer than sheep's wool and lighter in weight. It is soft, fine, glossy, and luxurious. The
micron count for quality fiber is between 24-29 microns. Most alpaca fiber is white, but it also comes in various shades of brown and black.
Angora
Angora wool or Angora fiber refers to the downy coat produced by the Angora rabbit. Angora is prized for its softness, low micron count of around 12-16 microns for quality fiber, and what knitters refer to as a halo (fluffiness). The fiber
felts very easily. Angora fiber comes in white, black, and various shades of brown.
Cashmere
Cashmere wool is wool obtained from the Cashmere goat. Cashmere is characterized by its luxuriously soft fibers, with high napability and loft. In order for a natural goat fiber to be considered Cashmere, it must be under 18.5 micrometers in diameter and be at least 3.175 centimeters long. It is noted as providing a natural light-weight insulation without bulk. Fibers are highly adaptable and are easily constructed into fine or thick yarns, and light to heavy-weight fabrics.
Mohair
Mohair is a silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat. It is both durable and resilient. It is notable for its high luster and sheen, and is often used in fiber blends to add these qualities to a textile. Mohair also takes dye exceptionally well.
Sheep's wool
Wool has two qualities that distinguish it from hair or fur: it has scales which overlap like shingles on a roof and it is crimp (wool); in some fleeces the wool fibers have more than 20 bends per inch. Wool varies in diameter from below 17 microns to over 35 microns. The finer the wool, the softer it will be, while coarser grades are more durable and less prone to pilling.7t86r6r6
Qiviut
Qiviut is the fine underwool of the muskox. Quiviut fibres are long (about 5 to 8 cm), fine (between 15 and 20 micrometers in diameter), and relatively smooth. It is approximately eight times warmer than sheep's wool and does not felt or shrink.
Fiber from other animals
Hand spinners also use fiber from animals such as llamas, camels, yak, and possums.
Animal fibers are natural fibers that consist largely of particular proteins. Instances are silk,
hair/
fur (including
wool) and feathers. The most commonly used type of animal fiber is hair.
Not all animal fibers have the same properties.
Alpaca#Fiber is known for its softness, and
silk for its sheen and strength. Even within a species the fiber is not consistent.
Merino is a very soft, fine
wool, while
Cotswold is coarser, and yet both merino and Cotswold are types of
sheep. This comparison can be continued on the microscopic level. With animal fibers, and natural fibers in general, the individual fibers look different, whereas all
synthetic fibers look the same.
The animal fibers used most commonly both in the manufacturing world as well as by the spinning (textiles) are
wool and silk.
Silk
Silk is a "natural"
protein fiber, some forms of which can be weaving into
textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from
Pupa#Cocoons made by the
larvae of the silkworm
Bombyx mori reared in captivity (
sericulture). The shimmering appearance for which silk is prized comes from the fibres' triangular prism-like structure which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles. Silk is also the strongest natural fiber known to man.
The length of the silk fiber depends on how it has been prepared. Since the cocoon is made of one strand, if the cocoon is unwound carefully the fibers can be very long.
Wool
Wool is the fiber derived from the fur of animals of the Caprinae family, principally
sheep, but the hair of certain species of other mammals such as goats, alpacas, and rabbits may also be called wool.
Alpaca
alpaca wool fiber is that of an alpaca. It is warmer than sheep's wool and lighter in weight. It is soft, fine, glossy, and luxurious. The micron count for quality fiber is between 24-29 microns. Most alpaca fiber is white, but it also comes in various shades of brown and black.
Angora
Angora wool or Angora fiber refers to the downy coat produced by the
Angora rabbit. Angora is prized for its softness, low
micron count of around 12-16 microns for quality fiber, and what knitters refer to as a halo (fluffiness). The fiber
felts very easily. Angora fiber comes in white, black, and various shades of brown.
Cashmere
Cashmere wool is wool obtained from the Cashmere goat. Cashmere is characterized by its luxuriously soft fibers, with high napability and loft. In order for a natural goat fiber to be considered Cashmere, it must be under 18.5 micrometers in diameter and be at least 3.175 centimeters long. It is noted as providing a natural light-weight insulation without bulk. Fibers are highly adaptable and are easily constructed into fine or thick yarns, and light to heavy-weight fabrics.
Mohair
Mohair is a silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat. It is both durable and resilient. It is notable for its high luster and sheen, and is often used in fiber blends to add these qualities to a textile. Mohair also takes dye exceptionally well.
Sheep's wool
Wool has two qualities that distinguish it from hair or fur: it has scales which overlap like shingles on a roof and it is crimp (wool); in some fleeces the wool fibers have more than 20 bends per inch. Wool varies in diameter from below 17 microns to over 35 microns. The finer the wool, the softer it will be, while coarser grades are more durable and less prone to pilling.7t86r6r6
Qiviut
Qiviut is the fine underwool of the muskox. Quiviut fibres are long (about 5 to 8 cm), fine (between 15 and 20 micrometers in diameter), and relatively smooth. It is approximately eight times warmer than sheep's wool and does not felt or shrink.
Fiber from other animals
Hand spinners also use fiber from animals such as llamas, camels, yak, and possums.
