I received an email newsletter from on of the online vendors I frequent and it was touting the latest in unusual yarn - possum merino.

OK, I must first admit that I have used possum fur - to tie flies for fly fishing - not as a fiber content for yarn. But this just seems a bit odd to me.

I checked out the company's website, located in New Zealand, and apparently this is an attempt to help control New Zealand's "national pest," the brushtail possum. The species was introduced to New Zealand in 1837 in an attempt to develop a local fur industry. Over time, however, the demand for fur has decreased. There are no natural predators of the possum, so they have caused extensive damage to native plants and trees, including the kiwi. This is a national attempt at controlling possum numbers by marketing possum-based products around the globe.

According to the company's website, seven years of research has gone into how to successfully combine the possum fur with merino wool to make a unique, interesting and useful mix. The company is claiming that possum fur does not pill and is much fluffier than other fibers like angora and has minimal to no skin irritation. The mix is 50% merino, 40% possum and 10% silk. They also donate 5% of every sale to preservation of the New Zealand environment.

I am not really sure about this, but I will say my curiosity is peaked. I just might have to get some and try it out. If any of you have used it, I would be curious to hear your thoughts.

For more information, you can check out the company's website by clicking here.