How to Spin Mohair Yarn From Goat Hair
Mohair yarn comes from Angora goats (named after a region in Turkey now called Ankara). This is a time consuming but very rewarding craft and can produce beautiful results when done correctly. Angora goat hair is long--11 inches or more--and can produce very fine yarn or bulky yarn that possesses its own unique characteristics.
Instructions
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Decide which spinning method you would like to use. You may spin it by hand, use a spinning wheel or use a drop spindle. Research each type of spinning to find out which one is best suited to your abilities and taste.
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Wash the goat hair gently. This type of hair is easily tangled so you must not handle it too much when it's wet. Soak approximately 2 lbs. of hair overnight in cold water and shampoo. Lift hair out and allow to drain and place in warm water with conditioner for one minute. Drain, place in washer on spin cycle for several seconds and then lay out to dry.
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Apply spinning oil (animal oil) so the hair is more manageable and less likely to tangle and then tease out strands for spinning. The amount of fiber you draft (pull out of the fleeced hair) will determine the thickness of the yarn.
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Follow the instructions for the type of spinning you plan to do. If you decide to spin the mohair by hand, do some research on the different methods. If you decide to use a spinning wheel, check out the different styles To use a drop spindle do research and learn how to set it up correctly and use it properly.
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Choose the style of yarn that will enable you to finish your project. There are various techniques to choose from, such as worsted (a strong and long-lasting yarn used for outdoor wear), woolen, (which is a coarser fabric and contains more vegetable matter and is used for products like blankets, tweeds, and bulky sweaters) or mule spinning, which creates a soft, delicate yarn.
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