What is Mohair?

Angora goats are difficult to breed. They are delicate and are prone to parasitic infestations due to their shaggy coats. The hair needs to be combed out regularly. They require a highly nutritious diet to maintain their health.

The goats are sheared once or twice a year. The soft wool from young goats is used for clothing while the hair from mature goats goes into carpets and outerwear. Each goat gives around 5-8 kilos of hair annually. Mohair is often mixed with sheep wool and alpaca to give it more durability since it is so soft.

South Africa produces half the world’s mohair. MOHAIR is a lustrous yarn woven from the wool of the Angora goat. Angora goats were originally bred in Ankara, Turkey, and were brought to Europe in the 16th century. The word mohair derives from the Arabic mukhayyar which means ‘woven head cover’, and the fibre has been used to produce different kinds of cloth for hundreds of years in Turkey. It can be woven, knitted or crocheted and also easily dyed. Its high sheen has given it the nickname ‘ diamond fibre’.

Mohair is exceptionally soft and durable, and as costly as other luxury fibres such as cashmere and angora (a fibre derived from angora rabbits). It is lightweight and provides good insulation against cold. Since it wicks away moisture from the skin of the wearer, it can also be used in warmer weather.