Qiviut is one of the world’s warmest fibers, even warmer and softer than cashmere! Qiviut is the soft under-coat of musk oxen that keeps them warm and comfortable in even the windiest, coldest, most extreme polar arctic weather. Qiviut fiber is used similarly to cashmere; it is processed and spun into yarns and fabrics. Qiviut is unique in the fact that it is much finer than other fibers making it very warm, but also giving it a tendency to felt into itself more easily, especially if not combined with a more coarse fiber when being spun into yarn.

All qiviut used in the making of these headbands was carefully picked from the tundra after shedding out during the warmer spring and summer months. I gather the qiviut fluffs and sheds from the bushes and tundra around our village after the musk ox herds move through in the spring. After accumulating enough to spin, the qiviut fiber is cleaned and processed by the Coyote Trail Farm & Fiber Mill in Fairbanks, AK. The final product is an incredibly warm and soft yarn made of 90% qiviut and 10% merino wool blend.

All handmade qiviut products are made to last and to keep you warm for many many years, however with some intentional care they can be kept in the best possible condition for a lifetime: avoid getting qiviut wet at all if possible, but if it does (sometimes it is unavoidable) it should be air-dried as soon as possible. If qiviut needs to be washed, a gentle hand wash with warm water and soap in a sink or tub should do the trick; never machine wash or dry. Water and heat in a traditional washing machine and dryer will cause the qiviut fibers to felt together, stretch out of shape, and/or unravel in parts or completely.

These headbands are children’s sized:

XSmall (0-6 months): 14”

Small (6-12 months): 15”

Medium (1-5 years): 16”

Large (5+ years): 17”

These earrings are inspired by summer dandelion flowers as they turn to fluff and begin to seed. These earrings hang about 5”long, and each weighs approximately 1oz. They are incredibly lightweight and easy to wear. The photos show a gold plated nickel-free hook that is sensitive-ear friendly, but surgical steel hooks can be swapped out on request- use the ‘Additional Information’ box at checkout to request this option!