WHERE DOES In the 1980s and 1990s, interest grew in COME FROM? homegrown, naturally colored . This spurred the development of colored Angora goats who could grow mohair in colors other Angora goats grow silky, soft, curled ringlets than white, and not require dye. By 1999, or wavy locks of lustrous “mohair.” Because the Colored Angora Goat Registry--the first this beautiful hair grows so fast--about an registry in the world for colored Angora inch per month--the Angora goat is called goats--was established. the most efficient fiber producer on earth. Mohair is called the “diamond fiber” because Colored Angora goats sport lovely variations of its unique ability to allow light to pass of solid red, black, brown, blue, and even through its very strong hair shaft, giving an patterns including badger, spotted, belted, unmatched lustrous shine. pinto, and more.

THE WORD "MOHAIR" HAILS FROM AN ARABIC WORD MEANING "CHOICE" OR "SELECT".

www.cagba.org

Mohair has been treasured by humans since CAGBA has members across the US and many centuries BCE, as evidenced by ancient Canada, maintains a registry of Angora texts. The name Angora reflects this breed’s goats, and a list of breeders. It aims to roots in the region around , today’s promote the many uses of this truly capital city of . This same wonderful fiber, and as the art and science of ALL ABOUT mountainous region is believed to have been breeding beautiful, healthy, and happy the birthplace of the Angora rabbit and cat. colored Angoras continues to evolve, CAGBA supports its members with info and advice. MOHAIR In 1849, the first US Angora goats were sent to Dr. James P. Davis of South Carolina by Members can supply you with mohair, or Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid I in return for even Angora goats of your own. When you N A T U R E ' S D I A M O N D F I B E R expertise on growing . Burgeoning have a chance, chat with a CAGBA member southern flocks were impacted during the or visit cagba.org to learn more. Civil War, but in time Angora-raising took off in the southwestern US, mainly west Texas. Perhaps you too will fall in love of these magnificent goats and their fantastic fiber. HOW IS MOHAIR GROWN WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH MOHAIR? AND HARVESTED? Many colored Angora goat owners process Happily, colored Angora goats are not raised their own mohair from shearing to final fiber on factory farms. Far from it. In fact, many creation, but fiber artisans can jump in at any CAGBA members have smaller herds on farms point in the processing sequence. There is a of less than 5 acres. These animals require flourishing interest in working with natural diligent care to live full lives and produce fibers, especially those that are locally quality mohair; you will find that colored sourced. The ecological and health costs of Angora goat owners are not only devoted to producing, transporting, and disposing of their herds’ well-being, but also fulfilled by garments made of petroleum-based synthetic building their lives around these special, fibers are staggering and not widely endearing creatures. considered. Just as buying local food is good for the planet and human health, buying Angora goats are shorn twice a year to keep sustainable, locally crafted fiber and them healthy and their locks clean and promotes human health and a measure of useful. Shearing does not hurt, and they feel harmony for our entire ecosystem. much lighter and cooler afterwards--just like people after a haircut. Shorn fleece has an Common uses of mohair include: average 6 inch staple, or unstretched lock, Yarn of many types to be knit, crocheted, length from base to tip. Each shearing can or woven into just about anything, such as yield upwards of 5 pounds of mohair per blankets, scarves, and hats adult goat. Saddle cinches Locks for doll hair and Santa beards Upholstery and rugs Felted items (wet or needle) WHAT MAKES MOHAIR UNIQUE? Faux hides Considered a luxury fiber, mohair adds strength, beauty and warmth to any item without the weight of wool. It has a lovely STEPS IN PROCESSING MOHAIR drape and does not pill when fibers are short. INTO YARN (AFTER SHEARING) While its chemical composition is similar to wool, mohair’s surface structure is different. It is smooth instead of scaly, making it less 1. Skirting and picking to remove soiled scratchy but also less likely to hold a desired fleece and plant debris (aka vegetable shape. For this reason, it is often blended matter or vm). with wool or silk to prevent garments from 2. Washing to remove dirt and grease, and stretching out. Because of the physiological reveal luster. make-up of mohair, it accepts dyes more 3. Carding via hand carders or combs, drum vividly than any other fiber. carder, or commercial machine to create fluffy batts or roving of more or less Mohair is incredibly shiny (wonderful luster, aligned fibers. almost metallic at times, with qualities similar 4. Spinning into yarn by hand and spinning to silk), strong (greater tensile strength than wheel or machine at a fiber mill. Different steel of the same diameter), dyeable (absorbs methods will produce different styles of color extremely well), flame-retardant (used yarn for different uses. For example, lock for soldiers’ uniforms in WWII), moisture- spinning, or spinning directly from locks, wicking, durable (does not mold or mildew creates an art yarn that maintains the and lasts for many years). fabulous look of the curls.