What is Mohair Made Out Of? Find Out!

Do you know what is mohair made out of? This is a brief guide to the production process of mohair.

One of the most valuable natural fibers is mohair. From luxurious sweaters and accessories to carpets and upholstery, it is used to make a wide range of products. Mohair is a silk-like fabric that is made from the coats of Angora goats.

Keep reading to find out what exactly is mohair made out of.

Table of Contents

What is Mohair Made Out Of?

Mohair wool is a type of textile-derived from the hair of the Angora goat. This particular species of goat has shaggy hair, unlike other goats. The Angora goat is prized today for the silky, multipurpose wool that it produces. It is thought that the environment where it evolved caused the goat to develop this distinctive coat.

Angora goats are thought to have evolved into their current form in Tibet before slowly migrating to Turkey.

Although records of mohair wool in England date back to the eighth century, it is clear that this type of fabric has been widely traded throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East for thousands of years. For centuries, these kinds of goats were only raised in Turkey.

How is Mohair Wool Made?

Raw Mohair– Twice a year, Angora goats are shorn for their mohair. The fleece is removed from the animal by the shearers using long, smooth strokes with power-driven clippers akin to those used by barbers. After being separated, categorized, and packed into bags that can hold about 70 fleeces and weigh about 400 pounds when full.
Scouring– Mohair is scoured by being gently moved by rakes through a series of tubs filled with a soap and water solution. Mohair loses about 20% of its weight during the scouring process as natural grease (lanolin) and dirt are washed away. The mohair is scrubbed, then put through a series of squeeze rollers before being dried. Face creams, soaps, and ointments all make use of the purified lanolin by-product.
Dyeing– At various stages of the manufacturing process, mohair can be dyed. The term “stock dyed mohair” is used for mohair that has been colored after scouring; “yarn dyed” for mohair that has been colored after spinning; and “piece-dyed” for mohair that has been colored after weaving or knitting. Additionally, mohair fabric can be printed using a roller or a screen. Mohair is a protein-based fiber, so color tints are absorbed into the fiber’s core to produce deep and enduring hues.
Carding– Mohair fibers from different types are mixed together during carding, which also clears the fibers of any plant matter and straightens them so they all point in the same direction. To achieve this, the mohair is run through a system of wire-toothed rollers that roll the fibers into a fine web. The web is now gathered into thin strips and joined to create the roving or silver if the fiber is to be spun using the woolen system.
Combing (Worsted System Only) – The mohair card silver is then combed if the fiber is intended to be spun on the worsted system in order to remove the short fibers (noils) and further straighten the long fibers for the creation of fine yarns that are smoother than yarns produced on the woolen system. The result is a thick strand called the “top”.
Drawing (Worsted System Only)– After combing in the worsted system, a series of procedures known as drawing is used to lessen the number of fibers in the top. The drawing silver is transported right to the spinning frame, where the roving is wound into yarn.
Spinning – The twisting of the silver into a singles yarn occurs during the spinning process, which comes after either carding (step 4) or drawing (step 6). These yarns can be twisted into ply yarns, which are more durable than single yarns. Yarns are used in the process of designing fabrics and vary in size, twist, ply, and novelty effects. The yarn can be knitted or woven after it has been spun.
Weaving– On looms, woven fabrics are created by weaving at least two sets of yarn—either woolen or worsted—at an angle to one another. Warp is the yarn that runs along a length. Weft or filling refers to the crosswise-running threads in a loom. A wire eyelet that is threaded through the warp thread serves to raise and lower it as it travels through the loom. To create the woven fabric, a filling thread is inserted through the warp openings.
Finishing– The fabric is checked for flaws as it exits the loom. The fabric can then be sheared or napped using a metal brushing process to give it a uniformly smooth appearance. To achieve benefits like mothproofing, stain resistance, and washability, various chemical finishes can be used.

How is Mohair Wool Used?

Mohair is valued for a wide range of consumer applications due to its distinctive qualities. This fabric is frequently used in a variety of clothing styles, as well as in home decor and other textiles in general.

Like other varieties of wool, mohair wool is a very well-liked material for hats, coats, sweaters, and other insulating winter clothing. Socks, scarves, and suits can all be made from this material.

The two-tone suit, a unique type of suit that can only be made with mohair wool, rose to prominence in the 1960s in the United Kingdom and quickly gained traction among musicians in America and other countries.

Due to the special qualities of mohair, two-tone suits appear to be a different color depending on the lighting or viewing angle.

Here are more properties of mohair fabric:

Mohair is used to make doll wigs, wall hangings, craft yarn, and other items besides clothing for everyday use. Mohair wool, a silky, thick material, continues to be used to make carpets, but these kinds of rugs are now much less popular than they were during the 1970s popularity spike.

Which Countries Produce the Majority of the Mohair?

In the mountains of Tibet, where the Angora goat originally lived, mohair, one of the oldest textile fibers in use, was created.

The Angora goat was then introduced to Turkey in the sixteenth century, in the Turkish province of Ankara where the name “angora” comes from. The majority of angora goat farming took place in Ankara up until 1849 when a goat was given as a gift to a cotton farmer from the United States in appreciation of his assistance in helping Turkey grow cotton.

Since South Africa is the largest producer of angora goats and exporter of mohair, the majority of mohair today originates there. Argentina, Turkey, and the US are additional nations with significant Mohair production. the state of Texas produces and exports mohair, as do Australia and New Zealand to a lesser extent.

Conclusion: What is Mohair Made Out Of?

One of the most prized natural fibers, mohair is a soft, silk-like fabric that is derived from the fleece of Angora goats.

The diameter of the fiber increases with the age of the goat, and the thinner fibers from young goats are more commonly used for clothing, such as sweaters, whereas the thicker, coarser fibers are used for carpets, upholstery, drapery fabric, and outerwear.

FAQs

What is the Difference Between Mohair and Angora Wool?

The primary distinction between Angora and mohair is that Angora comes from Angora rabbits, whereas mohair comes from Angora goats. They are both silky and soft in nature, as well as very strong and resilient.

How Do You Care for Mohair?

Mohair needs proper care. Every mohair item needs to be hand washed and dried flat. Mohair’s fibers will be harmed by use in the dryer or washing machine.

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