Possum Yarn

I want to declare the need for more quirkiness in 2013 with more quirky knitting and more quirky knitting topics.  And I can't think of anything much more quirky than possum yarn; can you?

Before you leave, give me a minute to explain.  The opossum those of us from North America are most familiar with is not the creature that creates possum yarn.  An opossum is a North American phenomenon remotely related to the possums found in Australia and New Zealand.  In fact if you really want to know the nitty gritty about the differences between an opossum and a possum click here.  There may be more detail than you want, but I know some of you enjoy thoroughly understanding such things.

An Opossum

An Opossum with the kids on board

Note the North American opossum has a hairless tail, one of the biggest characteristics that separate them from the possum; unfortunately, it also causes them to appear a lot like a large rat.  And they have very sharp teeth, something I chose not to show in any photographs.  You can Google opossum on your own to see those pics.  On the other hand, the Australian possum has hair on its tail, making it look less menacing and more like a kangaroo, another marsupial.  But note how the furs appear to be different.  The opossum has a more wiry looking fur where the possum's fur appears to be more thick and lush.

A Possum

Possum with kid on board

Now that we've met the furry possum let's talk about New Zealand.  About 150 years ago Australian possums were introduced into New Zealand to help that country start a fur trade.  Problem is possums are great multipliers and were as early as 1936 declared a national pest; possums now inhabit all areas of native forests where they cause extensive damage to plants as well as animals.  Today they are considered a true nuisance to New Zealand society.  

So over the last 150 years this fur industry turned into a highly specialized wool industry instead.  Just to show you, possum hair is hollow so it is relatively weather resistant and warm.  When New Zealand possum fur is blended with merino wool it becomes luxurious, warm, soft, anti-static and a luxury that nearly everyone can afford. Should you knit with it you are using a truly versatile and extremely warm natural fibre that will last years.

See how hollow the fur it

Here's some examples of the wool and the final products made from it:

Knitters who travel to New Zealand often come home with this specialized yarn because it offers a very unique reminder of their visit.  (Possum yarn is available in North American but tends to be quite expensive here.) 

I know there are those who are uncomfortable regarding the use of fur or wool that seem so unconventional.  Certainly the loveableness of a sheep is different from that of a possum.  But see what a regular sheep looks like in the wild.  See all that straw and dirt mixed in with the wool?

This wool really needs to be cleaned before anyone would knit with it.  I'm a farm girl who has no issue with things like possum wool.  It is no better or worse that sheep's wool in my book.  So if you get a chance, check out possum wool.  It has the potential to become one of your new favorites.