Mohair
Mohair comes from the Angora goat. The Angora goat is an ancient breed with records of the use of goat hair used for clothing found as early as the 14c BC. Many centuries after that there is a record of goats trekked to Ankara in Turkey by Suleiman Shah, when fleeing Ghengis Khan. In 1550 a Dutchman discovered the goats and began to generate a demand for their fleece and in 1554 a pair of angora goats “were presented to the Pope in Rome”.
Mohair the name given to the fleece is derived from the word Muhaya meaning cloth of bright lustrous goat hair. The Sultan of Turkey placed a ban on the export of raw fleece and for several centuries the fleece and goats were incarcerated in Turkey. Eventually in the 19c Angora goats were imported from Turkey to Texas and South Africa. Imports to Australasia occurred during the 20c and the Angora goat did not reach the UK until 1981.
Mohair is shorn from the goat twice a year as it grows faster than sheep’s wool. It is known as the ‘Diamond Fibre’ as it is a is a soft, lustrous and hard wearing fibre, used in, fabrics, textiles and yarns. It is a hollow fibre, takes dye exceptionally well and is two-and-a-half times warmer than wool.
Mohair increases its diameter with the age of the goat, growing along with the animal. The fibre has 3 main grades; Kid - the first two shearings of the baby goat are the softest and finest of the mohair fibre. The Young Goat hair is coarser; the coarsest hair is from the Adult Goat, and is often used to make carpets and other upholstery (and cheap fluffy jumpers).
Alpaca
The Alpaca is a domesticated member of the Camelid family (Vicuna, Guanco, Llama and Alpaca) and is grazed in herds on the level heights of the Andes of Peru, Northern Bolivia and Northern Chile. It lives at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 meters throughout the year. The Incas were breeding alpaca over 5,000 years ago. The fibre is still collected by shearing, like sheep, and was known in ancient times as the “Fibre of the Gods”.
Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas and are not used as beasts of burden, but are prized only for the fibre, which is particularly fine and soft. They have soft padded feet with two toes. They do not have horns, hooves or claws, incisors, or upper teeth. They eat grass and, like camels and retired politicians, chew the cud.ep.
Merino
The merino sheep is the most numerous in the world. It is prized for its astounding wool, unlike “traditional wool” merino is much finer, softer and best of all, itch-free for all but those with severe sensitivities or lanolin allergies. It offers superior breathability, temperature regulation, moisture control and inherent anti-microbial properties.
