Pygora Goat
Some people don’t even know that such a breed exists, but we have been around long enough now that that term shouldn’t be a mystery. But all the time I still get “what is a pygora goat?”
The Pygora was a purposefully crossbred animal by Katherine Jorgensen of Oregon. In 1978, the Pygora Breeders Association was formed in the United States, and has since then been registering and promoting Pygoras. Today the registered Pygora Goat may not be more than 75% AAGBA registered Angora Goat or 75% NPGA registered Pygmy Goat.
Description of the fiber are from a old pamplets of katherine Jorgensen.
Type “A” has long lustrous ringlets, 5 inches or more. Like very fine Mohair. Has a silky smooth feeling,cool to the touch. Can be as fine as 18 microns. Best shear in spring before it matts and before the kids born. Carded with cotton cards before spinning. Use single ply for crochet, double plied for knitting. Type A also blends well with moreno wool.
Type “B” A fluffy fleece with some lustre, between 3 to 6 inches. Guard hair is apparent, but is soft. This is a medium fine hair fiber, 19 microns or more. Sometimes can described as Cashgora. It is best to shear or comb in spring. Can be spun right out of the bag, washed and set. This is the most common Pygora, especially in F1. Makes a nice yarn, best in woven projects, or outer ware.
Personally this is my favorite fleece type.
Type “C” Extremely fine, less than 16 microns, dull without lustre. Is from 2 to 6 inches. Guard hair very apparent and quite coarse in contrast to the downy fleece. This fleece is often acceptable commerical cashmere. Shear for selling to Cashmere Company. Comb out for using at home,fun to spin, incredibly soft. This is a creamy almost suede feel. There are three grades of cashmere.
They are:
- Code 1 under 16 microns
- Code 2 16-18 microns
- Code 3 over 18 microns
Here is a picture of Gina she has an A/B fleece
