From What Animal Does it Come? Quiz

Answer: Rabbit

Angora rabbits produce Angora wool, a fine silky fabric. The Angora rabbit has been domesticated to produce the wool for many centuries. The harvesting of the fibre does not kill the rabbit as it is harvested by shearing, combing or plucking it. Angora wool is non allergenic and for that reason it is popular for those who cannot wear sheep wool. China is the largest breeder of Angora rabbits and their wool products but it is also available from other countries in Europe and Asian countries.

Answer: Sheep

The Merino, a domestic sheep, established in Spain as long ago as the Middle Ages. The Merino is known for its quality wool, which comes from its ability to absorb moisture whilst still able to keep a person dry, warm and insulated.

The Australian Merino is a distinct from the European breed having being integrated with a variety from South Africa. The Merino is a very adaptable sheep and is able to thrive in different climates, different grazing and different breeding.

Answer: Alpaca

Alpacas are from South America and a species of the camelid mammal. Smaller than Llamas although closely related. They are considered beasts of burden and have been used for both transport and for their fleece.

Suri fleece or fibre is the hair from the alpaca. Its strands are long, lustrous, silky and they form locks, like a Rastafarian, that fall down from its body. As its fibre is longer than wool, and it is similar to silk, it is used successfully woven into scarves and knitted into shawls.

Answer: Goat

Cashmere is obtained from cashmere goats and in more recent years we have been exposed to pashima goats, which produce even more fine fibre than cashmere. These goats are from the disputed territory of Kashmir currently claimed as being part of India. Cashmere has some great qualities such as being warm and easy to wear and look after.

Answer: Muskox

Qiviut yarn is rare today, because of the rarity of the animal and therefore the rarity of the fibre. The muskox is native to the arctic and an endangered species. Qiviut yarn is obtained from the muskox's underbelly and therefore does not need the extermination of the animal.

The fibre is considered to be the best available for its softness and warmth. The truth is that most of us will never be able to test this claim, and I for one do not want to. I would just like to see the muskox live a happy life without human interference.

Answer: Rabbit

Rabbit felt is made from the pelts of the animal. The animal is killed in the process. In Australia rabbits are considered an introduced pest and therefore able to be hunted and killed for their pelts and fur. Akubra hats are probably the most well known user of rabbit pelts which are used to make these well known hats using this method.

Answer: Camel

Camel hair, as the name suggests, comes from a camel. There are two types of camel hair: guard hair and undercoat. The guard hair is a camel's outer fur, and is generally coarse and tough, whereas the undercoat consists of shorter and finer hair. The undercoat is used to make textiles for camel hair coats. Camel hair is also a colour, the light tan of the fibres that are used to make the coats. Camel hair coats have been seen by Royalty and one of the most known examples is photographs of Prince Philip wearing one.

Answer: Angora goat

Mohair is the fur from the Angora goat. The great thing about mohair is that it is a yarn that is sheared from the goat(without harm) and thereafter spun. The fibre obtained from the Angora goat is very flexible and is able to be dyed and spun to make numerous types of fabrics. Especially popular is the mohair coat which is weather resistant, warm and almost, but not, water resistant.

Answer: Sheep

Karakul sheep are from Uzbekistan. The sheep originated in central Asia and are known as one of the oldest breeds of sheep in the world.

These sheep are very hardy and are known for their ability to survive in very harsh conditions, including droughts. It is believed that being able to store fat in their tails enables them to survive in conditions that other sheep would not be able to live in. Even though this is the case their status is considered endangered.

Answer: Ahimsa moth

Silk is a natural fibre, made by silkworms, that is woven into textiles and the process of using Ahimsa moths is the humane use of the moths to make silk without the killing of the species. The silk of the cocoons is made into a strong fabric using a process that allows the pupa to hatch, thus surviving, and then the leftover cocoon is used to make the silk.