For furnishings and fixtures, visit our sister company,
integral interiors 
For furnishings and fixtures, visit our sister company,
integral interiors
Due to Mohair’s resiliency and exceptional color reflection, it is often referred to as the ‘noble fiber.’ Its beautiful, natural sheen shines like silk, but has the durability of wool.
What they may not know is that our standard Mohair is a blend of three different fibers. It contains 70% South African Goat Mohair, 20% Lincoln Wool, and 10% New Zealand Wool. We will get into the different wools in the next blog, but first, let’s jump into the special qualities of South African Goat Mohair.
Often called the noble fiber, Mohair is absolutely lustrous, versatile, resilient, and has exceptional color affinity. Angora goat fleece has been refined through consistent high breeding standards and meticulous genetic selection over many years. Mohair is highly coveted by the fashion elite, interior designers, and craft specialists.
-Dye affinity: responds magnificently to dies, retaining brilliant color over time. Our jewel toned mohairs are a great example.
-Versatility: Mohair breaths naturally, absorbing and releasing atmospheric moisture and controlling its own “climate” to ensure comfort to the touch.
-Durability: Mohair is a very strong fiber and holds its shape. Our carved mohair rug designs exemplify this quality.
-Softness: It can be a great option for people who are sensitive to the rougher texture of wool.
-Luster: Mohair has a natural shine because of its fine texture. Yarn spinners ply together the long, smooth fibers to make strong and shiny yarn. After a rug comes off the loom, its inherent silky sheen is enhanced by the washing process. Drying in the sun helps the amazing luster, too!
Most Angora goats are farmed in the Karoo area of the Eastern Cape. There are over 900 Angora goat farms in this region. The land is starkly beautiful and is a specific environment in which the goats thrive: hot, dry summers with cold winters and semi-arid shrub vegetation. You can imagine how durable the fleece must be to keep the Angora goats safe through the hot summers and cold winters.
From fleece on the goat to a plush Mohair rug underfoot, there are many steps in the value chain. The Mohair industry supports over 30,000 people, and the process starts with farmers who raise the animals. Then, skilled workers shear the fleece, sort the “greasy mohair” (the term for mohair fiber when it's freshly sheared), and scour it in hot water. After, craftspeople card the fleece to soften and straighten the fibers, they comb it to organize the fibers to run the same direction. Then, the clean and organized fiber is prepared for selling. Finally, transporters take the valuable cargo to the port where it is sold. After the export of raw materials, the fiber goes to dye houses for further transformation through spinning yarn and dyeing.
Eventually, a weaver’s hand will weave the South African Mohair yarn into a durable and luxurious rug. At last, this is where we step in…
© Copyright 2024 Integral Thread. All rights reserved.
303-282-4444 | info@integralthreadstudio.com
|
