The term mohair is sometimes used to describe a type of material used for the folding roof on convertible cars. In this instance, mohair refers to a form of denim-like canvas. Mohair should not be confused with the fur from the angora rabbit, which is called angora wool.
During World War II, U.S. soldiers wore uniforms made of wool. Worried that domestic producers could not supply enough for future wars, Congress enacted loan and price support programs for wool and mohair in the National Wool Act of 1954 as part of the 1954 Farm Bill.
Nevertheless, the U.S. government continued to provide subsidies to mohair producers until 1995, when the subsidies were eliminated effective with the marketing year ending December 31, 1995.
Fibers from young goats are softest and are used to manucture yarn for clothing. Fibers from mature goats are used to produce such things as rugs and carpets.
and is often used in fiber blends to add these qualities to a textile. Mohair takes dye exceptionally well. Mohair is warm in winter as it has great insulating properties, while remaining cool in summer due to its moisture wicking properties. It is durable, naturally elastic, flame resistant, crease resistant, and does not felt. It is considered to be a luxury fiber, like cashmere, angora and silk, and is usually more expensive than most wool that comes from sheep.
Mohair is also used in climbing skins for randonnee skiing. The mohair is used in a carpet allowing the skier an appropriate ascension method without sliding downhill.
Mohair is composed mostly of keratin, a protein found in the hair, wool, horns and skin of all mammals. While it has scales like wool, the scales are not fully developed, merely indicated.
Mohair is not a soft yarn, when compared with alpaca or cashmere, or synthetic fibers or wools that have been treated and blended with other fibers to enhance softness. On the other hand, mohair is valued for certain unique characteristics: it is warmer than other fibers, even when used to make a light-weight garment, and is often blended with wool for this reason; and mohair fibers have a distinctive luster created by the way they reflect light. Combined with mohairs ability to absorb dyes exceptionally well, pure mohair yarns are usually recognizable for their vivid saturated colours.
It increases in diameter with the age of the goat, growing along with the animal. Fine hair from younger animals is used for finer applications such as clothing, and the thicker hair from older animals is more often used for carpets and heavy brics intended for outerwear.
As of 2002, mohair producers were still able to receive special assistance loans from the U.S. government, after an amendment to eliminate the subsidy was defeated.
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In about 1820, raw mohair was first exported from Turkey to England, which then became the leading manucturer of mohair products. The Yorkshire mills spun yarn that was exported to Russia, Germany, Austria, etc., as well as woven directly in Yorkshire.
In 1849, Angora goats made their way to America as a gift from Turkey.
Today, South Africa is the largest mohair producer in the world, with the majority of South African mohair being produced in the Eastern Cape. The United States is the second-largest producer, with the majority of American mohair being produced in Texas.
Prices for adult mohair declined in 2010 while prices for kid mohair remained the same. An emerging market for mohair producers has been China.
Until 1849, the Turkish province of Ankara was the sole producer of Angora goats. Charles V is believed to be the first to bring Angora goats to Europe. Due to the great demand for mohair fiber, throughout the 1800s there was a great deal of crossbreeding between Angora goats and common goats. The growing demand for mohair further resulted in attempts on a commercial scale to introduce the goat into South Africa (where it was crossed with the native goat) in 1838, the United States in 1849, Australia from 18561875, and later still New Zealand.
In December 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 2009 to be the International Year of Natural Fibres, so as to raise the profile of mohair and other natural fibers.
South Africa is the worlds largest mohair producer, producing around 50% of the total world production.
The Angora goat is thought to originate from the mountains of Tibet, reaching Turkey in the 16th century. However, bric made of mohair was known in England as early as the 8th century.
Mohair is vital to the economy of the Texas Hill Country, including the Real County community of Camp Wood.Mohair is shorn from the goat without harming the animal.
Mohair lace scarf, knitted with crochet trim on the ends.Mohair is used in scarves, winter hats, suits, sweaters, coats, socks and home furnishing. Mohair fiber is also found in carpets, wall brics, craft yarns, and many other brics, and may be used as a substitute for fur. Because its texture resembles fine human hair, mohair is often used in high grade or in rooting customized dolls.
Shearing is done twice a year, in the spring and in the ll. One goat will produce 11to 17 pounds (58kg) 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.
