Yarn Types

[karabean]

Some types of yarn are from different types of animals. Can anyone help me figuring out what kinds of yarn there are out there? I have a friend who's allergic to wool.

I know there's bamboo.
But merino?
Angora?
Mohair?
Others?

Comments

[dunkelza]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angora_goat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohair
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angora_rabbit

[nawilla]

Is your friend actually allergic to wool, or just sensitive to some processed wools? Not all wool is created equal and some wool blends are very soft. (Incidently, other than bamboo, all of those other fibers are going to be mixed with wool or alternatively acrylic. They are generally too expensive and the fibers are too short and delicate to make a good yarn on their own

[lordavon]

Things to use:
Obviously, acrylic.

Silk, but they usually blend silk.

Soy silk.

Soy in general.

Alpaca.

Cotton

tercel

Things to avoid:

wool
wool blends
mohair
cashmire
merino
angora