Muskox is a very old species that has been around the arctic since the time of the woolly mammoth. Qiviut (Sometimes spelled Qiviuq) refers to the soft downy undercoat of the Muskox that has everything you could need from a modern fiber. A mature male produces around 3 to 5 pounds of cleaned qiviut fiber that is ready for spinning into yarn. It is one of the lightest and warmest of all the natural fibers. The more you wear and wash qiviut the loftier and softer it becomes. Qiviut is eight times warmer than sheep wool and softer than cashmere. Pure qiviut is non-shrinkable, non-felting and safe for people who suffer from sheep wool allergies. Unlike wool, qiviut is not scratchy and feels amazing next to the skin, it is also non felting making it a durable option. Qiviut is an insulating fiber and is comfortable to wear in any climate, it is often blended with silk, fine merino, nylon and now with angora, cashmere, and baby alpaca. Qiviut is an heirloom fiber that can be treasured for generations. Yarnware made with qiviut increase in value over time.
