Mohair is a silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat. The word "mohair" was adopted into English before 1570 from the Arabic 'mukhayyar', a type of haircloth, literally 'choice', from khayyara, 'he chose'. Mohair fiber is approximately 25-45 microns in diameter. It is one of the oldest textile fibers in use. It is both durable and resilient. It is notable for its high luster and sheen, and is often used in fiber blends to add these qualities to a textile. Mohair also takes dye exceptionally well. It is durable, moisture-wicking, stretch and flame resistant, and crease resistant. Mohair is composed mostly of keratin, a protein found in the hair, wool, horns and skin of all mammals.
MOHAIR PRODUCTION:
Mohair is shorn from the goat without harming the animal. Shearing is done twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. One goat will produce 11 to 17 pounds (5–8 kg) of mohair a year. Shearing is done on a clean swept floor with extra care taken to keep the hair clean and free of debris. The hair is then processed to remove natural grease, dirt and vegetable matter. Mohair grows in uniform locks. Angora is a single-coat breed, and unlike Pygora or Cashmere, there is no need to dehair a mohair fleece to separate the coarse hair from the down hair. |
The Alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid.
It resembles a small llama in superficial appearance.
Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Ecuador, southern Peru, northern Bolivia, and northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 m
(11,483 ft) to 5,000 m (16,404 ft) metersabove sea-level, throughout the year.
Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items.
The fiber comes in more than 52 natural colors as classified in Peru,
12 as classified in Australia and 16 as classified in the United States.
It is light weight or heavy weight, depending on how it is spun,soft, durable,
luxurious and silky natural fiber.
While similar to sheep’s wool, it is not prickly,and has no lanolin which makes it hypoallergenic. In physical structure, alpaca fiber is somewhat akin to hair,
being very glossy.
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