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Some April Fools jokes are so good it is hard to tell if it is a joke or not.  Paul had something on television this morning when I got back from my exercise class where Donald Trump appeared to be saying his Presidency bid was all a joke.  It seemed so real I had to ask; Paul confirmed it was not real, rather something put together by Anonymous.

Just now I received this picture from one of my favorite roving shops -- Birkeland Brothers Wool




Did you read the label and/or look at the picture?  It says it is skunk silver top.  The caption goes on to say:

Since this is a hair rather than wool with scales, it does not felt which makes it easier to wash. While popular for use in fur coats (where it is often known as "Alaskan Sable"), it is less commonly found as a fibre despite the growing popularity of these animals as pets.


I do have a calendar and know it is April 1, so I decided to check out Google to see if skunk hair can be spun and used to knit.  In my first attempt I found images like this one.


This is definitely skunk hair and yet has nothing to do with the topic under investigation.  The Fur Source has this to say about the topic:

Skunk (Zorina)
Native to North and South America, Skunk are referred to as Zorina in South America. Commonly Skunk are familiar to most Americans with the negative connotation of fowl-smelling spray that is released when Skunk feel threatened or are struck by a vehicle.
Skunk is also known for its distinct white striping down its glossy dark blue or black colored back. The stripe varies in width and size and resembles a V shape. It isn’t uncommon for Skunk fur to be fully black without a stripe. Skunk underfur is thick and long with upstanding silky guard hairs.
In the past, Skunk fur has been said to give off a slight odor when wet. Nowadays, this problem has been almost eliminated.

This refers to using skunk as a fur, like beaver or fox or chinchilla.  Again not exactly an answer to the question about the skunk hair at Birkeland Brothers.

In my third and final search I found skunk hair can be used to finish woodworking projects, used in sewing and that there are plenty of free patterns to knit a scarf looking like a skunk.   Another fail.

Is this an April Fools trick or is Birkeland Brothers really selling skunk hair that can be spun?  (I plan to call them directly for an answer, which will be revealed later.)  So now it is up to you to decide; is it real or an April Fools prank?  Feel free to share your comments below.

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Postscript -- I wrote Birkeland Brothers and this is their response

Hi Jan, I’m afraid it’s an April Fool’s joke that we really want to be true. The fibre details are as accurate as I’ve been able to find researching online sources. Since we conceived of the joke last night, I’ve been looking for a source to actually get some in... I mean, paihamu (brushtail possum) is considered a pest in New Zealand but a luxury fibre here, so maybe we can start something new?
If I do actually find a source, I will be sure to let you know.
Cheers,

Birkeland Bros. Wool
Best Wool in BC since 1939!













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