EcoZeal

VIP Fibers founder Victoria Pettigrew founded the company after gaining comfort from this scarf made from her dog’s fur.

He’s your best friend, so you know he’s treated right. He’s pampered and loved, and gets treats on demand. What could be a more ethical source of yarn for your new sweater?

While some may think the idea of turning Fido or Kitty into a sweater is bizarre or even gross, you can’t argue with the fact that there’s no cruelty involved. And many pet owners are delighted to know that they can have a keepsake made from their animal’s fur. It’s just another way to bond with their pet, as well as becoming a treasured memento once the inevitable day comes that their faithful friend is no longer there. “It is a way to still hold them physically while you hold their spirit in your heart forever,” says one.

Look at a Siberian husky or a Persian cat, and it’s pretty easy to imagine spinning their fur into yarn. But what about a pet with very short fur? Or how about your yellow Lab? Can you really turn his coarse hair into yarn?

The master spinners at VIP Fibers say YES! Contrary to popular belief, they say, it’s not necessary to blend pet hair with wool or other fibers to make yarn. Even very short fur can be spun successfully into yarn. Length is less important than the diameter of the hair – the finer the hair, the softer the final product. It is also possible to spin even wiry, coarse pet hair – although you’re likely to get a skein that resembles twine rather than yarn and is more suitable for macramé than sweaters.

The “VIP” in VIP Fibers stands for Very Important Pets. In case you haven’t guessed, they specialize in transforming your pet’s hair into hand-spun yarn. They even have a suggestion page for what to do with your pet hair once they’ve worked their magic.  And for those pet owners without the time or inclination to do it themselves, VIP will turn your yarn into a finished scarf, hat, finger puppet, picture frame, or other keepsake.

All work is done by VIP founder Victoria Pettigrew, who decided to focus on pet hair after finding comfort in owning a scarf made from her pet’s fur after the dog passed away. Turn-around time is about four months for a finished product, but for a personal memento of your pet hand-made with love, it’s worth the wait.

So get out that dog brush and give your buddy a once-over. He’ll love you for it!