Where does Angora come from?

Angora comes from Ankara, Turkey, first documented in the 1700s.

Plate No. 115fabric

The soft, haloed white of pure Angora rabbit wool.

First documented: 1700s
Origin: Ankara, Anatolia, Turkey
Fiber: angora wool
Weave: fine knitted or woven, from Angora rabbit wool
Family: plain

Plate No. 115 · fabric

Angora

Angora is the wool of the Angora rabbit, an exceptionally fine, soft, fluffy fiber known for its floating halo and its warmth, far lighter and warmer than sheep's wool. Because the fiber is slippery and sheds easily, it is usually blended with wool rather than used pure. It takes its name from Angora, the old name for Ankara, the same place that gives the Angora goat and mohair their name, which is a lasting source of confusion. Modern angora carries serious animal-welfare concerns over how the fiber is harvested from live rabbits.

Named for

From Angora, the old name of Ankara. The fiber is from the Angora rabbit and should not be confused with mohair, which comes from the Angora goat.

Common questions

What is Angora made of?: Angora is the wool of the Angora rabbit, an exceptionally fine, soft, fluffy fiber known for its floating halo and its warmth, far lighter and warmer than sheep's wool. It is traditionally made of angora wool.
Where does Angora come from?: Angora comes from Ankara, Turkey, first documented in the 1700s.
What is Angora named after?: From Angora, the old name of Ankara. The fiber is from the Angora rabbit and should not be confused with mohair, which comes from the Angora goat.