Mohair is the fibre produced by Angora Goats. These animals originated in Turkey and their native terrain was mountainous and dry. They have adapted well to North America but need good shelter during colder months.
Mohair fleece is prized among hand spinners for the lustre, curl and strength that it gives to a yarn. It can be spun by itself or blended with other fibres to add strength to a soft or dull fibre. Kid mohair can be worn next to the skin but adult mohair is generally used for outer garments.
Adult Angora goats should provide from 4 to 6 lbs per shearing, so around 10 to 12 lbs per year.
Mohair has the highest lustre of any farmed fibre, and takes dye quickly and deeply. Angora goats grow their fleece at about 1 inch per month, making it necessary to shear at least twice a year with an average of 5 to 6 inches of staple to each shearing. For a small animal they produce an amazing amount of fleece. The fleece develops as curly locks, making ringlets as it grows. The first three shearings at 6, 12 and 18 months is considered kid mohair. The next two shearings are considered juvenile mohair, and after that it is adult mohair. The micron count decreases with age, but there is a very large range of counts between animals. After three years the micron count of an individual goat should stay in the same count.