What Is Mohair Fabric?

Mohair is a type of textile that is similar to silk. It is a yarn and fabric that is made using hair extracted from angora goats. It is known for being warm, durable and highly insulating. The term "mohair" has Arabic origins. It was derived from "mukhayyer," a type of haircloth. The word was brought into the English language in the 1500s.

Benefits

Some benefits of the fabric include that it is very light, absorbent, non-flammable, durable, resilient, washable, warm and has insulating properties. Mohair also is capable of extracting moisture away from the skin of the individual that is wearing it. The fabric also responds well to dyes. Mohair is highly resistant to creases and stretching.

Keratin

Mohair fabric consists mostly of keratin. Keratin is a protein and intermediate filament that is extracted from the skin, horns, wool and hair of mammals. Similarly to wools, mohair has scales. However, the scales are not prominently developed compared with wool, and therefore the texture of the fabrics feels very different.

Disadvantages

Though there are various benefits of mohair fabric, there are also disadvantages Although mohair can feel very soft, it can also be a skin irritant, similar to other types of animal products. To combat this irritation, a lot of mohair clothing is lined with either cotton or silk.

Angora Goats

The Angora goat is native to the Eurasian nation of Turkey, near the large city of Ankara. Angora goats have long been bred for milk, as well as their fabrics. Because of their shaggy coats, the goats are prone to parasite infestations. Angora goats also have highly specific nutritional needs, and are delicate and susceptible to health issues if their needs aren't met properly.

Uses

Mohair fabric has a lot of different applications and uses. The textile is commonly used to produce sweaters, scarves, socks, coats, hats and suits. Fibers of mohair are also frequently used to make home items, including carpets. The fabric is also used to make wigs, as it feels very similar to human hair.

References

• Angora Goat
• The Joy of Handspinning: Mohair
• Natural Plant and Animal Fibres: Mohair