Hilo de Mohair

Goat fleece and a South African textile tradition

South Africa's mohair industry traces its beginnings to the arrival of Angora goats from Turkey in 1838. The fibre remains closely associated with the Eastern Cape's Karoo farming region. After shearing, mohair is sorted by qualities including fibre diameter and length, washed and prepared for spinning.

Age categories help describe the clip. Kid mohair comes from young goats and is associated with finer grades, while older animals generally produce coarser fibre. The resulting yarn's feel still depends on selection and processing. Mohair and angora should not be confused: mohair comes from goats, while the fibre normally called angora comes from rabbits.

Comparing halo and structure

Brushing raises fibres at the yarn's surface. In a fine mohair-and-silk blend, that surface can fill out a fabric well beyond the visible thickness of its central strand. This is why metres per ball or a yarn-weight label cannot fully describe its effect when held with another yarn.

When choosing a substitute, check both the halo and the underlying construction. A brushed alpaca blend may offer another fuzzy effect, but it will not necessarily reproduce the original's texture or drape. Swatch with all the strands the pattern requires and inspect the fabric in daylight. Check stitch visibility, fullness and the feel against the intended area of skin. Use the care instructions for the complete combination, and measure after washing before deciding whether the replacement works.