Yak

Characteristics:

Yak is a relatively recent addition to the fibers easily available to the knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers on this side of the world. The undercoat of the yak, known as yak down, is making inroads in local fiber arts stores throughout North America. Yak down has a micron measurement similar to cashmere, which means that yarn made from this luxury fiber is one of the softest and most snuggly fibers you can find.

Hemp

Characteristics:

• Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax using the same amount of land. The amount of land needed for obtaining equal yields of fiber place hemp at an advantage over other fibers.
• Hemp leaves the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crop, especially when weeds may otherwise be troublesome.
• Moreover, hemp does not exhaust the soil.