FABRIC: QIVIUT
Region: Alaska
Fabric Name:
Qiviut
Origin:
Muskox (Ovibos moschatus)
Who made our fabric:
Elaine Moser, Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op, Anchorage, Alaska
Natural history and ecology:
Muskox disappeared from Alaska in the 1920s, only remaining in Greenland and Arctic Canada. In 1930, in an effort to prevent extinction, 34 muskox were brought to Fairbanks, Alaska. After decades of relocation efforts on several Alaskan Islands, muskox numbers grew to 4000 by the year 2000.
What makes this so special: Qiviut wool is made from the downy, soft under-wool of muskox (Ovibos moschatus), collected each spring by members of the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op, their friends and family, in Alaska. Muskox disappeared from Alaska in the 1920s but in 1930, thirty-four were reintroduced to Fairbanks. After decades of relocation efforts, their numbers reached 4000 by the year 2000 and continue to grow.
A speciality fiber from Alaska that is 8 times warmer than wool!
Our cloth was hand knit by Elaine Mosser, who is a member of a co-op of 250 Native Alaskan women from remote coastal villages of Alaska specializing in qiviut.
Muskox, Ovibos moschatus
Why Qiviut?
Because Qiviut is eight times warmer than sheep’s wool by weight.
Because it is in the natural ash brown color, which compliments any complexion and any outfit.
Because Qiviut is one of the rarest fibers on earth.
Because Qiviut will not shrink in any temperature of water.
Because Qiviut is sensuous beyond measure, and soft to the most sensitive skin.
Because Qiviut contains no lanolin or natural oil.
Because they are hand-knitted with knitting needles by Alaskan Native Co-Op members from the remote villages.
“Qiviut is 8 times warmer than wool. A finished garment is so wonderfully warm, soft, and lightweight that the wearer is barely conscious of having it on.”
— Elaine Moser/Qiviut
Elaine Moser
Meet, Elaine Moser, from Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op in Anchorage, Alaska. Elaine Moser is a member of a co-op consisting of 250 Native Alaskan women from remote coastal villages of Alaska, specializing in qiviut. At the co-op's headquarters, they take on the cost and responsibility of buying the fiber from the villages, getting it spun into yarn, and then sending that yarn out to the members. With over 200 members, they are constantly turning in garments. The member's sole responsibility is to knit; they don't have to do anything else. Elaine is the head of production and quality control. She checks it in, washes it, blocks it, and fixes things like small drop stitches, and then the garment is ready for packages up for sale.
Qiviut (pronounced "kiv-ee-ute"), the downy-soft underwool from the Arctic musk ox, is shed naturally each year during the spring months. Eight times warmer than wool and extraordinarily lightweight, Qiviut is one of the finest natural fibers known to man. Unlike wool, Qiviut is not scratchy and will not shrink in any temperature of water.