The Uses Of Mohair Locks

By George Jones


The type of fiber that is obtained from a unique goat breed called the Angora goat is called mohair. Avoiding mistaking Angora goats for Angora rabbits is critical because it is a common mistake that many people make. The latter yields Angora wool whereas the former yields fiber. There are instances in which the phrase The Diamond Fiber is used in place to Mohair locks. The origin of the name is the luxury class it falls under. It is sought and held in high esteem by numerous individuals.

This fiber belongs to the specialty group of animal fibers and it is classified as one of the oldest fibers that are known to man. The name mohair is derived from the Arabic word of Makhayar, Mukhaya, or Mukhayar. The Angora goat is usually single coated and its name is derived from the Turkish province of Ankara, also called Angora.

The Angora goat originated from the Tibet Highlands or the Asian Himalayas. From the mountains, it spread to the Turkey plains and most areas in the Middle East. The industry of mohair was born in Turkey and it became the first nation to supply mohair as a raw material. Later, South Africa became the first country to receive Angora goats that were shipped from Turkey.

The Angora goats exhibit a lot of uniqueness from other breeds of goats. It has a single coat, but the fibers from the primary and secondary follicles seem to have no difference at all. The breed does not shed its fibers annually like most other breeds. Instead, the fibers grow continuously throughout the year. The fiber is generally long and straight.

White is the natural color of the fiber. Some of the features of the material include resilience, smoothness, moisture management, durability, soil shedding, outstanding luster, setting, strength, and comfort, resistance against abrasion and resistance to soiling. Felting and peeling is uncharacteristic in mohair fiber which additionally has comparatively low flammability. It undergoes bio-degradation when placed in the soil.

This material has endless applications. Making of furnishings, curtains, carpets, suiting, knitwear, upholstery and blankets are some of the major applications it may be put to. It is very appropriate for the production of household textiles due to its durability and resilience. However, it has limited application in producing certain apparels since it is relatively course. It is not suitable for making close-to-the-skin clothing due to its coarseness.

Currently, South Africa is the leading producer of mohair. South Africa is responsible for over 50 percent of all production in the world. The best fiber is produced by this country and its fiber is considered the best quality worldwide. The United States is the second leading producer. The state of Texas is the leading producer in the US. Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Lesotho, and Turkey are the other producers.

The fiber is usually classified depending on the age of the animal from which it is harvested. If the animals are at the age of six and twelve months, the fiber is referred to as kids fiber. When the goats attain the age of between 12 and 24 months, the fiber is called young goats fiber. Lastly, beyond 24 months, it is called adult fiber.




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