Home >Buffalo Yarn Gold

Though called Buffalo, this fiber comes from the bison of "wild west" fame. True buffalo are indigenous to Africa and India only. The bison of the west were nearly extinguished at the turn of the century as sport hunters and tanners preyed upon them indiscriminately. Down to less than 1000 in the early 1900s, the numbers that roam wild now number 50,000 due to government parks and land preserves. Because bison meat is lower in cholesterol than skinless chicken and has no "gamey" flavor, private ranchers across North America are now raising bison commercially so overall, the number of bison nationwide exceeds 400,000.

This new yarn, roving, and felting batt material that we're stocking is incredibly soft and insulating. Like cashmere and qiviut, the yarn and roving consist of the fine "down" fibers from the animal's coat. It measures between 11 and 13 microns (for perspective, cashmere must measure under 16 microns to be legally sold as cashmere - even if it comes from the cashmere goat - and the smaller the micron count number is, the softer it gets!). The felting batts include some hollow guard hairs producing a hairy surface.

Yarn, roving and felting batts are available only in the natural rich brown color of the bison. It is not inexpensive, but a special treat for yourself or a loved one this holiday season. The yarn comes packaged in a beautiful gift box and is complete with a 1 sk scarf pattern. Give it as a gift to a knitting friend or knit the scarf up yourself and package your gift back in the box for a gorgeous presentation.

There is currently a contest being sponsored by my suppliers of Buffalo Gold and Wild Fibers Magazine (if you haven't seen this magazine yet, be sure to stop by the store....it is the National Geographic of fiber animals!). Between now and Nov. 10th knit, spin, felt, weave or otherwise create something using the Buffalo Gold & submit (by email) 3 digital photos of your creation and you'll be eligible to win either a $1000.00 shopping spree at any of Wild Fibers Magazine's advertisers or choose a professionally tanned buffalo winter robe that retails for over $1000.00. I have entry forms at the store for anyone interested in participating. We don't know yet who the judges will be, nor are there any more specific guidelines than I've provided here. Have fun with the design challenge and maybe win the contest!