From Farm to Head
Taking inspiration from the Farm to Table movement we're introducing our Farm to Head concept wherein the fibers harvested from animals raised at home by us are spun into yarn and crocheted into one of our caps and Nekkers. From start to finish the entire process is in our hands, insuring quality and integrity.
From Farm to Head with Raylan
Raylan
Grooming
Grooming
- To get things started we introduce our English Angora rabbit named Raylan who provides us with an abundance of downy soft fur to work with. We both care for him and groom him regularly and consider him part of the family. Angora rabbits trace their ancestry back to ancient Ankara, Turkey where we find the first records of long-haired rabb
- To get things started we introduce our English Angora rabbit named Raylan who provides us with an abundance of downy soft fur to work with. We both care for him and groom him regularly and consider him part of the family. Angora rabbits trace their ancestry back to ancient Ankara, Turkey where we find the first records of long-haired rabbits being kept for their fur. Angora rabbits and fur were then introduced to France in the early 1700s where their popularity really took off. There are different kinds of angora rabbits today, including English, French, German, Giant and Satin. Raylan is a Black English Angora.
Grooming
Grooming
Grooming
- Angora rabbits regularly shed their fur, a process called molting that occurs naturally whether the fur is harvested or not. We use a special comb to groom Raylan that slowly and gently removes a lot of the molting fur; a process that he really seems to enjoy as evidenced by the fact that he sits quietly and contentedly while we groom him
- Angora rabbits regularly shed their fur, a process called molting that occurs naturally whether the fur is harvested or not. We use a special comb to groom Raylan that slowly and gently removes a lot of the molting fur; a process that he really seems to enjoy as evidenced by the fact that he sits quietly and contentedly while we groom him. We learned the hard way that you can't neglect the grooming of angora rabbits as their fur quickly tangles and mats. Jed is the only one in this family whose hair is allowed to dread.
Spinning
Grooming
Spinning
- Jed is our resident spinner. He learned on a traditional drop spindle and then switched to an electric spinner, which will in time allow him to spin more efficiently. Many experienced spinners told him to learn by spinning wool because angora fur is too difficult for beginners. So he proceeded to spin nothing but angora fur and continues to develop mastery with it as time goes on.
Finishing the Yarn
Finishing the Yarn
Finishing the Yarn
- Once Jed has enough angora yarn spun for a cap or Nekker Tom soaks it in hot water and a special detergent to gently clean it and set it; a process that doesn't compromise the softness or integrity of the fibers. If the yarn is going to be plyed with another strand of yarn the washing happens before the plying. There are many ways to fini
- Once Jed has enough angora yarn spun for a cap or Nekker Tom soaks it in hot water and a special detergent to gently clean it and set it; a process that doesn't compromise the softness or integrity of the fibers. If the yarn is going to be plyed with another strand of yarn the washing happens before the plying. There are many ways to finish the yarn: it can be left as a single strand or plyed with other yarns whether they're the same or some other fiber. Each style has its own unique look, feel and purpose.
Crocheting
Finishing the Yarn
Finishing the Yarn
- Tom's paternal grandmother taught him to crochet when he was six and he's been crocheting ever since. In 2001 he decided to crochet himself an old-fashioned beanie cap after seeing the surfers in Laguna Beach pulling beanies on after coming up out of the cold Pacific waters. One thing led to another and a business was born. Tom designs th
- Tom's paternal grandmother taught him to crochet when he was six and he's been crocheting ever since. In 2001 he decided to crochet himself an old-fashioned beanie cap after seeing the surfers in Laguna Beach pulling beanies on after coming up out of the cold Pacific waters. One thing led to another and a business was born. Tom designs the caps and Nekkers with luxurious yarns that he purchases from all over the planet. Both guys then finish them and market them under the name BeanieCapGuys. at art shows and online.
And Finally...
Finishing the Yarn
And Finally...
- Angora fur in a yarn finds some of its nicest expression in our beanie caps and Nekkers. But even more to the point, its softness really works in our Nekkers that are worn around the neck where softness and warmth are everything. At our shows where people can handle the Angora fur caps and Nekkers they always sell out. There's just someth
- Angora fur in a yarn finds some of its nicest expression in our beanie caps and Nekkers. But even more to the point, its softness really works in our Nekkers that are worn around the neck where softness and warmth are everything. At our shows where people can handle the Angora fur caps and Nekkers they always sell out. There's just something about Angora's softness that cannot be adequately explained; it has to be touched or worn to understand what all the fuss is about.