One of the most soft and luxurious natural fibers known to man is mohair. The clothes that get made out of it are not only fashionable, but they’re also tough, wrinkle-resistant, not prone to shrinking, and are easy to care for. But where does it come from? Here is the low-down on where the fabric from your mohair sweater or cap comes from.
The word mohair actually comes from the Turkish word “muyhar”, which is literally translated as “the best selected fleece.” The original mohair actually came from Turkey and was sheared from Angora goats that are native to the Angora province in that country. So valued was the fabric, that for hundreds of years the sultans of the Ottoman Empire attempted to keep it a secret. Export of the fabric was banned and the goats were highly protected.
That all changed in around 1820. As the Ottoman Empire began a slow decline, they had increasingly little power to control where the goats in their country went. Angora goats began to be exported to various regions of the world. Today, most of the world’s mohair, about 60% of total production actually originates in South Africa. The United States is the second biggest producer, with it being a huge industry in Texas and several other states. South America is also a major producer.
The mohair that you get in stores can be one of three kinds, Kid, Goatling, and Adult. Most mohair that you’ll see is adult mohair. This is slightly more course than the other two varieties, but is also much less expensive. Kid mohair is made only from the first shearing of a young goat. It’s incredibly fine, but also much more expensive. Along the same lines, Goatling mohair is made from the second shearing. It’s not quite as fine, but shares many similarities to Kid mohair and is also much more expensive than adult mohair.
Mohair is a great fabric with a unique history. Adding a mohair sweater to your wardrobe will give you a fashionable article of clothing that you can use for years to come.
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