As described above, the Pygora goat produces both guard hair and soft fiber. Therefore, when Pygora fiber is used for a project such as spinning, the ultimate goal in using this fiber needs to be considered in how it is processed. In most cases, it will be desirable to remove the guard hairs from the soft fiber before making yarn.

Some Pygora fleeces, such as from the A-type goats, do not produce many guard hairs and those few may be very soft. Thus, this fiber may sometimes be washed and processed to be used “as is.” Care should be taken when deciding NOT to ‘dehair’—remove the guard hairs—since these hairs can be uncomfortable against the skin, take dye differently from fiber hairs and could adversely affect the twist capacity of the fiber. If the limited guard hairs are removed and the fiber is spun worsted, a wonderful smooth yarn with a silky luster results.

The B-type fleeces are usually finer than the A-type fleeces (i.e., have a lower micron count). As with Type A, spinning a high twist, worsted yarn will produce a lustrous yarn. Spun woolen and fulled, a yarn that has a soft warm “handle” with a wonderful halo is created.

Type C fiber, on the other hand, has to be dehaired if sheared because, by definition, the guard hairs are very coarse compared to the very fine down these goats produce. If the guard hairs are left in, they would detract from the lovely down characteristics of the Type C fiber. But, if a Type C Pygora goat’s fiber is plucked or combed, the product is a lovely down all ready for spinning into fine, delicate cashmere yarn. (PBA, J. Hanus et. al.: Pygora Goat Fiber and Its Uses, The Goat Magazine, 6:5, 2002).