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The next time you are shopping for a warm woolen hat, headband, or scarf, remember that there are alternatives to popular fabrics and fibers like polar fleece and sheep’s wool. Qiviut, the downy undercoat of the musk ox, is incredibly soft, extremely warm, and ethically sourced. The information about qiviut that follows may very well convince you to invest in a handmade qiviut piece of your own. 

How the Musk Ox’s Undercoat Is Used

What is qiviut? 

If you have ever wondered why animals like musk oxen can survive the harsh winters in the Alaskan wilderness, the answer lies in the soft underwool they produce called qiviut. Extremely soft and downy in texture, qiviut protects musk ox from subzero temperatures by trapping heat against the oxen’s skin. Raw qiviut is soft and feathery, and can be spun into yarn for knitting and weaving into hats, caps, scarves, and tunics. 

How is qiviut gathered? qiviut

Musk oxen shed qiviut naturally when the weather warms. Every spring, they grow a new layer of underwool to replace the wool that has been lost. People collect qiviut once a year by gently brushing the animal’s fur, by simply gathering it as it falls away, or combed from the hide from an animal harvested for food. Musk oxen are not shorn.

 Why is qiviut beneficial?

Qiviut has many benefits. It is easy to wash and care for and does not shrink or pill the way that other wool garments can. Qiviut has also proved to be an asset to the local Alaskan economy and, in particular, to the Alaska Native population of the state.

If you are looking for stylish, ethically produced apparel that is sure to keep you warm on a chilly night under the stars, turn to Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-Operative. Based in Anchorage, AK, this co-operative consists of 250 Native Alaskan women who are committed to producing downy-soft clothing for others to enjoy. Visit their website today to explore their selection of hand-crafted scarves, stoles, hats, and tunics, or give their team of knitters a call at (907) 272-9225 to learn more. 

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