Introduction
The practice of spinning dog hair into yarn has a long history. As early as the 16th century, spun dog wool called “cynotière” was being produced in France https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiengora. Dog hair was occasionally used along with sheep wool for spinning and weaving. In America and Canada, spinning dog fur into yarn became more popular in the late 20th century, with the term “chiengora” being coined as a portmanteau of “chien” (dog in French) and “angora.”
The process of making clothes from dog hair involves first collecting or brushing out the hair, washing and preparing the fur, spinning the hair into yarn using a drop spindle or spinning wheel, and then knitting, crocheting, or weaving the yarn into fabric. Finally, the fabric can be sewn into finished garments.
Clothes made from dog hair have some advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, dog hair is a renewable and readily available fiber source. The fabric is lightweight, warm, and hypoallergenic. However, clothes made from dog hair require careful washing and grooming of the dogs. Not all dog hair works well for spinning, as the staple length and texture varies between breeds. The fabric can pill easily and may be scratchy for some wearers. Overall, spinning dog hair into yarn is a creative way to upcycle a natural material into handmade clothing.
Collecting the Raw Materials
The raw materials needed for creating clothes from dog hair are the dog hair itself. According to FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Knitting Dog Hair, about 1 ounce of dog hair by weight will produce 60-70 yards of yarn. So the amount of hair needed per garment depends on the size of the garment and how much yarn it requires. For a sweater, you may need 5-10 ounces of dog hair to produce enough yarn.
The best dog breeds for harvesting hair are those that don’t shed much or have hair that continues growing, like poodles, schnauzers, and other nonshedding breeds. Their hair can be brushed and collected regularly as it grows. Shedding breeds like huskies can provide hair when they blow their coat 1-2 times per year. For nonshedding dogs, hair can be collected every 4-8 weeks when brushing them. Take care not to overbrush, only collecting loose hairs that come out easily on their own.
Preparing the Hair
Properly preparing the dog hair is an essential first step before spinning it into yarn. The hair needs to be thoroughly cleaned and detangled in order to spin smoothly. According to Craft Me Happy, the hair should be gathered from brushings rather than clippings for the best texture and length (source).
The first step is washing the fur to remove any dirt, grease or debris. WikiHow recommends submerging the hair in water for 10 minutes to ensure it is thoroughly soaked and cleaned (source). It’s important not to agitate the hair too much to avoid felting or matting at this stage.
After washing, the hair must be allowed to dry completely. Laying it out in a thin layer will help it dry faster. The hair should not be spun while damp or it may develop mildew.
Once the fur is fully dry, it needs to be carded or combed. Carding the hair aligns the fibers smoothly in preparation for spinning. Special dog hair cards are available, but a regular hairbrush can also work. Go slowly and gently to avoid breaking the fibers. The fur should be combed until soft, shiny, and untangled.
Spinning the Yarn
Once the hair is properly aligned, the next step is spinning the hair into yarn. This involves taking small tufts of the aligned hair and feeding it into the spinning wheel or spindle while continuously drawing out the fibers to form a single strand of yarn.
As explained in this video tutorial, it takes practice to learn the right balance of drafting and twisting the fibers to create an even yarn. Drafting refers to gently pulling the tuft of fibers to attenuate them before they are twisted into the yarn.
Plying is the process of taking two or more spun singles yarns and twisting them together. This adds strength and consistency to the finished yarn. According to this source, a balanced, firmly twisted 2-ply yarn works well for knitting or weaving.
Maintaining a consistent thickness throughout the yarn is also important for knitting and weaving. Allowing slubs (thicker sections) or thin spots to pass into the yarn can cause knitting problems later. Carefully drafting and plying the dog hair produces smoothly textured yarns.
Knitting or Weaving the Fabric
Once the dog hair yarn is spun, the next step is to knit or weave it into fabric. Knitting and weaving produce different results, so deciding between the two depends on the desired texture and drape of the finished garment.
For knitting, maintaining proper tension and gauge is key. Knitting with dog hair yarn takes some practice to get the right needle size and knitting style to achieve an even fabric with good drape. The spun yarn’s thickness and the intended garment pattern will dictate the knitting needles and stitches to use.
Weaving also takes some experimentation with yarn tension and sett to get the fabric density and drape you want. Basic tabby weaving is an easy technique for beginners. More complex techniques like twill or satin weaves create attractive textures. Weaving dog hair results in a smoother, tighter fabric than knitting.
Test swatches are recommended when knitting or weaving with dog hair yarn. Once the ideal combination of tools, technique and tension are determined, knitting or weaving the finished fabric is a satisfying way to transform homemade dog hair yarn into a custom piece.
Sewing the Garment
When sewing clothes from dog hair fabric, there are some tips to keep in mind for the best results. According to comments on a Reddit thread, using a stretch needle and polyester thread can make sewing easier since dog hair fabric has more texture than typical fabrics (Making fabric for clothings out of my dog’s hair. (2020, November 23). Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/PrimitiveTechnology/comments/jpbh4x/making_fabric_for_clothings_out_of_my_dogs_hair/). It is also recommended to use interfacing or a backing fabric when constructing the garment, as dog hair fabric can be quite delicate on its own.
For washing care, it is best to hand wash or dry clean items made from dog hair fabric. Machine washing can cause excess shedding and may damage the fabric. Delicate cycles with cold water are preferable if machine washing is required. Hanging items to dry is ideal to avoid potential shrinkage from heat drying. Proper washing care will help maintain the longevity of the unique dog hair garments.
With careful sewing technique and washing methods, clothing and accessories made from spun dog hair can provide a novel way to make use of pet hair in a crafty, sustainable way. The resulting pieces likely require delicate care, but can last for many years with proper maintenance.
Ethical Considerations
There are some important ethical considerations when harvesting dog hair to make clothing. First, it is crucial to ensure dogs are treated humanely. Only gentle brushing and combing should be used to collect loose hair that the dog sheds naturally. Over-brushing or plucking can be painful and stressful for the dog. According to sources, chiengora is made from loose hair that would have shed anyway, not fur that is forcibly removed (Green Matters).
It’s also important not to over-harvest the hair. Only a reasonable amount of naturally shed hair should be collected periodically. Removing too much at once could lead to the dog feeling cold or exposed. Moderation is key.
There are also environmental impacts to consider. Harvesting chiengora reduces waste since the hair would have been discarded anyway. Turning it into garments offsets the need for synthetic fabrics like polyester. However, proper disposal is needed for any garments once worn out. Overall, chiengora can be an ethical and eco-friendly choice if done carefully and with respect for the dogs (Time).
Allergies and Reactions
Dander and proteins found in dog hair can cause allergic reactions in some people. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Dog allergens are found in dog hair, dander, saliva and urine” (source). When these allergens come in contact with people who are allergic, they can trigger symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy skin, hives, and other reactions.
Those with dog hair allergies should take precautions when handling items made from dog hair. Wearing gloves and long sleeves can help minimize exposure to allergens. Some may wish to avoid wearing dog hair garments altogether. It’s also important to launder these items frequently using hot water to remove allergens.
While some market dog hair yarns as “hypoallergenic,” no dog hair is completely non-allergenic. The proteins are still present even after washing. Those with severe dog allergies will likely still react. However, washing and grooming the dog hair before spinning into yarn can lower the amount of loose dander and saliva, which may reduce reactions in some people (source).
Examples and Patterns
Clothing made from dog hair has a long history, with some creative examples over the years. In the Victorian era, pet owners would use their dogs’ fur to spin yarn and knit gloves, scarves, and other accessories (https://scholar.archive.org/work/l4ygdj3bv5h7bf3ghc5cimlrbq/access/wayback/https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8627&context=etd). More recently, spinners and knitters have crafted sweaters, hats, socks, and even wedding dresses from dog hair. Some pattern books feature specific designs for garments using dog fur yarn.
One of the most famous examples is a wool coat spun from the fur of Pomeranians that won a prize at the Crufts dog show in 1938 (https://scholar.archive.org/work/l4ygdj3bv5h7bf3ghc5cimlrbq/access/wayback/https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8627&context=etd). The soft undercoat of certain dog breeds like Pomeranians, Samoyeds and Chow Chows makes an excellent yarn for knitting. The finished garments have a soft, warm texture perfect for scarves and sweaters.
For those interested in crafting their own dog hair creations, some knitting patterns are available. A simple garter stitch or stockinette stitch scarf is a good beginner project with dog yarn. More advanced knitters can tackle dog hair sweaters, using cable or Fair Isle techniques. The spun yarn takes to both knitting and weaving very well. With the proper preparation and technique, dog hair can make surprisingly luxurious garments.
Conclusion
Dog hair offers an unexpected and sustainable alternative to more traditional sources of fiber for textiles and clothing. The process of extracting workable fibers from dog hair is time-consuming and intricate, starting with brushing and cleaning, moving through combing, carding, spinning, and ending with weaving or knitting the fabric. While still a niche practice, dogs’ hair provides an eco-friendly way to produce soft, durable, and insulating yarn. The future potential for churning dogs’ coats into everything from high-end apparel to home goods is promising as people and brands seek out earth-friendly materials. With some tweaks to the techniques to allow efficient scaling, “chiengora” could become accessible to boutique creators and big brands alike. Sourcing from pets we care for deeply resonates with the values of many consumers today, promising growing interest in this traditional concept reimagined through a sustainable lens.