How to Dye Mohair

Angora goats provide mohair fiber.

If you venture west from the I-35 corridor in central Texas, towards Gillespie, Burnet or Llano county, you enter the Edwards Plateau. This savanna once supported bison, antelope and other grazing animals. Today, the Edwards Plateau is the heart of mohair production in the United States. Angora goats thrive in the dry climate, munching on the native flora, growing their long, silky fleece that is prized by the textile industry. If you are a hand-spinner, weaver, knitter or crocheter, dyeing mohair is easy with a few common kitchen utensils.

Things You'll Need

• Textile detergent such as Synthrapol
• 4 oz. of mohair roving, locks or yarn
• 2 packages on unsweetened drink mix in one flavor
• 1 package of drink mix in a different flavor
• Heat-proof measuring cup
• Spoon
• Rubber gloves
• Slow cooker
• Bowl
• Towel

Instructions

Preparation

1. Fill the basin or sink with warm water. Add a squirt of textile detergent and stir to distribute.

2. Immerse the mohair in the water, pressing it down until it is submerged. Let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes to make sure it is saturated.

3. Mix two packages of drink mix of the same flavor in 1 cup of warm water. Stir to dissolve the mix completely.

4. Add 1/2 inch of water to the slow cooker.

Dyeing the Mohair

1. Put on rubber gloves and lift the mohair from the water. Squeeze gently to remove some water. If you are dyeing mohair locks or roving, handle gently so you don't felt or mat the fiber.

2. Transfer the mohair to the slow cooker.

3. Pour the dye into the slow cooker. Put the lid on and set the pot to cook on its highest setting.

4. Mix the remaining drink mix with 1 cup of water, stirring to dissolve.

5. Wait about 20 minutes until the cooker feels hot. Remove the lid and pour in the other drink mix.

6. Replace the lid and cook the mohair for about an hour. When the water is mostly clear, the fiber has absorbed all the dye and is done.

7. Turn off the cooker, remove the lid and let the mohair cool to room temperature.

Rinsing and Drying

1. Fill the basin or sink with warm water and add a little textile detergent.

2. Put on rubber gloves and transfer the dyed mohair to the basin. You might see some color in the basin -- that's normal. Let the mohair soak for about 10 minutes.

3. Lift the mohair from the basin, squeezing gently to remove excess water. Transfer to a clean bowl or basin.

4. Spread the mohair on a clean towel and let dry.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use more than two flavors of drink mix for different effects.

References

• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Ecological Regions of Texas, Region 7 -- Edwards Plateau
• Texas Department of Agriculture; Wool and Mohair Directory; 2003
• "Teach Yourself Visually Hand-Dyeing"; Barbara Parry; 2009

Resources

• All About Hand Dyeing: What is Synthrapol?