I am the first to admit I was wrong. When Atelier got a shipment of this rabbit fur yarn my initial reaction was, "Seriously? I just got this in my trick bag for halloween!" I swore up and down that I would never be caught dead knitting with it. Leave it to Amanda to make me put my knitting in my mouth. This is no fun fur.
While I completely get what makers of fun fur or other eyelash yarn are going for there is no duplicating the real thing. This yarn which is exclusive to Atelier is made from actual rabbit pelts. Now before you get all PETA on me and start splashing my blog with cans of paint - the rabbit that this fur comes from is harvested for its meat. All those hides that would have gone to waste are used to create this unique yarn. As far as I know this is the first actual rabbit yarn on the market. It makes for a beautiful fabric just like the scarves or vests you would get at Neiman Marcus for a fraction of the price.
Atelier currently carries this red/black, a dark green, black (worn by the fabulous Linda below) and the currently sold-out grey/black color below. It was that cowl that turned my mind around.
It was my mother that fell in love with red/black blend. During her Thanksgiving visit we went to Atelier and she walked out with a skein of the red and while she wanted to make it herself, I couldn't help taking it from her.
Now she has something luxurious to wear on her flight home...
and I have a reason to use my "people's eyebrow" model pose. You're all welcome.
How could you let go of that?!? It looks like heaven to wear...Was it easy to knit with?
Posted by: Beverly | November 27, 2011 at 08:33 PM
This is very interesting yarn. The cowl is lovely. And yes, was it easy to work with?
Posted by: Tayler | November 27, 2011 at 11:25 PM
It wasn't hard, you can't see your stitches well but overall knits up pretty easily. The cowl was made with the fur and Rowan Lima - knitting with the fur every 3rd round - so you got more out of it than you normally would.
Posted by: Margaux | November 27, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Oh wow, that red's something.
Posted by: Siga | November 28, 2011 at 03:53 AM
Amazing! Yes, that would be a joy to wear...I want a jacket! Can you imagine how warm that would be? I can only dream...I bet the yarn is very expensive?
Posted by: hakucho | November 28, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Jeez louise: that's just amazing. I've always been anti-fur, but only because the animals were ONLY used for their fur, and then discarded. Since these are raised for their meat, it's a whole different thing. How much of it did you use to make that cowl? I'm curious how affordable a project it is. It looks so luxurious!!
Posted by: regina | November 28, 2011 at 12:19 PM
how much does it cost and can you order it online?
Posted by: deb j | November 28, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Oh wow, that i so nice. I love the red and gray ones. I bet they are so soft to wear.
Posted by: sam | December 01, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Looks great. I love the stuff you make.
BUT - I really love your glasses - what brand are they?
It looks like in the picture in the store you have another pair on and I love those, too.
Posted by: Renate Beedon | December 03, 2011 at 12:32 PM
WOW. I'm stunned. Seriously? You knit with rabbit pelt? SERIOUSLY??? :)
Posted by: Tara | December 07, 2011 at 02:14 PM
I'd love to start knitting these beautiful scarves for my daughter and daughter-in-law. How would I go about obtaining a pattern and the fur?
Posted by: Diana | January 05, 2012 at 09:20 AM