The Ten Most Expensive Fabrics - #5 Qiviut
In his search for the most expensive fabric, Capt'n John discovered that the number six fabric came from Bison. During his research, he found that the number five fabric is Qiviut, which comes from the animal above that looks similar to a bison. Do you know what this animal is? Read on to learn more about both it and Qiviut fabric.
Here is why Qiviut is the #5 Most Expensive Fabric:
"Have you ever heard of Qiviut fabric? It's a rare and luxurious material that you might not have encountered before. Qiviut is made from the undercoat of muskoxen, which live in the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland. This unique fabric is prized for its warmth, softness, and durability, which make it a popular choice for high-end clothing and accessories.
Qiviut is harvested from muskoxen in the spring when the animals naturally shed their undercoat. The soft fur is combed or plucked from the animals by hand, which is a delicate and time-consuming process. Because muskoxen are wild animals, the supply of qiviut is limited and unpredictable, which contributes to its high cost.
The price of qiviut fabric can range from $100 to $200 per yard, which is significantly more expensive than other natural fibers like wool or cashmere. Despite its high cost, qiviut is in high demand among luxury fashion designers and artisanal knitters who appreciate its unique properties.
In terms of its uses, qiviut is most commonly used to make hats, scarves, and other winter accessories. It's also used to create high-end sweaters, shawls, and other clothing items that require a soft, warm, and durable fabric. If you're looking for a luxurious and unique material for your next knitting project or clothing item, qiviut might be just what you're looking for.
As with all uses of animals, it is important to make sure you are buying from a source that treats the animals ethically."
Stay tuned and come back next week to find out what the #4 Most Expensive Fabric is.
Below is an Arctic Muskox, the fur of which is used to make the fifth most expensive fabric in the world. (Photo from textileschool.com)
Here are some cardigans, made using Qiviut, from Qiviuk priced at $1,459, $1,899, and $1,399 respectively.