• I work primarily with dog and cat fur, although I can sometimes work with other animal fibers as well. The fur needs to be long enough to spin—generally at least 1 inch in length—and suitable for processing.

  • I will take care of washing, cleaning and preparing the fur as part of the process. However, please make sure the fur is reasonably free of large amounts of dirt, mud, leaves, twigs, burs and other debris before sending it.

    There is no need to wash or otherwise treat the fur yourself. In fact, washing it at home can sometimes make it more difficult to work with.

  • Lightly felted fur may still be usable. If the fur has become lightly felted, I can sometimes carefully “open” the fibers and prepare them for spinning. This requires additional processing time and is subject to an additional processing fee.

    Heavily matted or severely felted fur may not be suitable for spinning.

  • Each project has different fur requirements, depending on the type and size of the keepsake or finished item you choose. Please refer to the individual product description for the specific amount of fur required for that project.

    If you're ordering custom yarn spinning, the minimum starting amount is 25 grams of usable fur. The total amount needed will depend on the amount of yarn you'd like, the thickness of the yarn, and whether you choose to blend your pet's fur with wool or another fiber.

    As a rough guideline:

    • 25 grams – approximately a very full sandwich-sized Ziploc bag

    • 100 grams – approximately a very full gallon-sized Ziploc bag

  • Fur collected from regular brushing is best for spinning into yarn. Brushing typically collects longer, intact fibers with the characteristics needed to create a softer, stronger yarn.

    If your pet has been shaved, the fur may still be usable provided it is as long as possible. Please avoid collecting fur from the legs, tail or ears, as these areas tend to produce shorter, coarser fibers that are not ideal for spinning.

    When collecting shaved fur, please also avoid “second cuts.” A second cut occurs when the same section of fur is cut more than once, resulting in very short pieces of fiber. These short fibers are difficult to spin and can negatively affect the quality of the finished yarn.

    How you store the fur is important too! Until you are ready to send it, store your collected fur in paper bags, paper envelopes, or another breathable paper container rather than plastic bags. Plastic can trap moisture and heat, which may cause the fibers to begin felting together. Keeping the fur dry and well ventilated will help preserve it in the best condition for spinning.

About the Fur

  • Chiengora is yarn spun from dog fur. The word is a combination of the French word “chien,” meaning dog, and “angora,” a term traditionally associated with exceptionally soft animal fibers such as Angora rabbit and Angora goat.

    Chiengora is known for being incredibly soft, warm and lightweight, making it a beautiful way to transform the fur you've collected from your beloved dog into something meaningful and lasting.

    Rather than letting those precious brushings sit in a bag or be thrown away, they can be carefully spun into yarn and turned into a keepsake that allows you to literally hold onto a little piece of your pet.

  • I can, depending on the type and quality of the fur. However, blending pet fur with wool or another suitable fiber can add strength, durability and structure to the finished yarn. A 50/50 blend is a popular option.

  • The natural color of your pet's fur will determine the primary color of the yarn. If you choose to blend the fur with wool, there are additional possibilities for color and texture.

  • Pet fur can produce beautifully soft and warm yarn, but the final feel depends greatly on the type, length and characteristics of the fur.

    Longer, softer undercoat fibers generally produce the softest yarn. Short-haired dogs and cats, as well as shaved fur, tend to produce yarn that is much rougher and can feel prickly against the skin. Some longer-haired pets also have prominent guard hairs that can contribute to a more textured or prickly feel.

    I will assess the fur you provide and do my best to advise you about what to expect from the finished yarn. If softness is important for your project, we can also discuss blending the pet fur with wool or another fiber to help improve the feel, strength and durability of the finished yarn.

  • Yarn can be spun in a variety of thicknesses, and the best choice depends on what you plan to make with it. Thinner yarn produces more yardage from the same amount of fur, while thicker yarn uses more fiber per yard.

    Here is a general guide to the yarn weights I offer:

    • Lace Weight – Very fine and delicate. Best suited for lightweight shawls, delicate scarves, or projects where a fine, airy yarn is desired.

    • Fingering Weight – Fine and lightweight. Great for socks, lightweight garments, baby items, and delicate accessories.

    • Sport Weight – A little thicker than fingering weight, but still lightweight. Well suited for lightweight sweaters, scarves, hats and other smaller projects.

    • DK Weight – A versatile, medium-light yarn that works well for scarves, hats, mittens, sweaters and many other projects.

    • Worsted Weight – A medium-weight yarn that is thicker and warmer. A popular choice for hats, mittens, scarves, blankets and cozy sweaters.

    • Bulky Weight – Thick, warm and quick to knit or crochet. Great for chunky scarves, cowls, hats and other projects where you want a substantial, cozy feel.

    Because every pet's fur is different, not every type of fur can be spun successfully at every thickness. The amount, length, texture and quality of the fur can all affect the final yarn.

    If you have a particular project in mind, I'm happy to help you choose a yarn thickness that will work well for it.

The Spinning Process

Processing, Shipping and Returns

  • FurEver Keepsakes currently has a waitlist for projects. The current turnaround time is approximately 8–12 months from the time I receive your fur.

    Because every piece is individually handmade and your fur is carefully cleaned, prepared, spun and crafted into your finished keepsake, projects take time. The waitlist allows me to work through each order carefully and give every project the attention it deserves.

    Please keep this timeframe in mind when ordering for a specific occasion or gift. While I always do my best to complete projects as efficiently as possible, I cannot guarantee a specific completion date.

    Your place on the waitlist is based on the date your fur is received.

  • Once you have placed your order, I'll provide you with the Canadian shipping address and instructions. For customers shipping from the United States, USPS with tracking is generally the best option.

    Please make sure your name and contact information are included with your fur so I can easily match it to your order.

  • Yes, I work with customers outside Canada. International shipping and customs requirements can vary, so please contact me if you're unsure about sending fur across the border.

  • Because each FurEver Keepsakes piece is custom-made using your pet's fur and created specifically for you, I am unable to accept returns, exchanges or cancellations once work has begun on your project.

    Please take the time to review your project details carefully before placing your order. If you are unsure about which keepsake, yarn thickness, or finished item would be best for you, I'm always happy to discuss your options before we begin.

    If there is a problem with your finished item, please contact me as soon as possible after receiving it. I want you to be happy with your keepsake and will work with you to resolve any issue related to the workmanship or the agreed-upon project.

  • Because your pet's fur and finished keepsake can be irreplaceable, I strongly recommend using a shipping service that provides tracking when sending your fur to FurEver Keepsakes.

    Once a package has been handed over to the shipping carrier, FurEver Keepsakes is not responsible for packages that are lost, stolen or damaged in transit. Please keep your tracking information and any proof of shipment until your package has been delivered.

    I take great care when packaging completed projects for their journey home, but I cannot be responsible for packages that are lost, stolen or damaged after they leave my hands. I recommend choosing a shipping option with tracking.

    If a package appears to be delayed or lost, I will be happy to provide any information I have that may help with a carrier claim, but the claim itself must be made with the shipping carrier.

  • For international orders, customs requirements, duties, taxes and other import fees are determined by the destination country and are outside of FurEver Keepsakes' control. Any duties, taxes or customs fees charged when your package enters your country are the responsibility of the recipient.

    FurEver Keepsakes is not responsible for delays caused by customs or for any fees assessed by customs or your local postal service.

    When shipping internationally, I will provide the required customs information and declare the contents of the package accurately. However, I cannot guarantee how a package will be classified by customs or whether additional charges will apply.

    Please be aware that customs processing can also add additional time to delivery.