In short
- Mohair comes from the Angora goat (not to be confused with angora, which comes from rabbits).
- Kid mohair is from a kid goat’s first shearings: finer (roughly 23–27 microns) and much softer than adult mohair.
- Mohair is light, warm and naturally lustrous, with a fluffy halo and brilliant colour.
- It is most often blended with silk, giving the famous “kid mohair + silk” yarn.
If you have ever touched a cardigan that feels knitted from air, it was most likely kid mohair. Here is what this fibre is and why knitwear designers love it.
Where mohair comes from
Mohair comes from the Angora goat, a breed that originated in Anatolia (the name links to the historic name of Ankara). Today the world’s largest mohair producer is South Africa; it is also produced in the USA (Texas), Lesotho, Turkey and Argentina.
Important: mohair is not angora. Angora yarn comes from the Angora rabbit, a different fibre with different properties. See Mohair vs angora vs alpaca.
What “kid” means
Goats are shorn twice a year. Fleece from a kid goat’s first shearings is the finest. The fibre thickens with age:
| Mohair grade | Approx. diameter | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Super kid / kid mohair | ~23–27 µm | very soft, gentle on skin |
| Young goat | ~28–30 µm | soft |
| Adult | 30+ µm | strong, coarser |
For comparison, a human hair is about 50–100 µm. Fibres thicker than roughly 30 µm are more often perceived as prickly, which is why kid mohair is comfortable even on sensitive skin.
Properties of kid mohair
- Lightness. A kid mohair & silk cardigan can weigh less than an ordinary sweater, because the fluffy fibres fill the space between stitches.
- Warmth. Air trapped in the halo is a natural insulator.
- Lustre. The fibre surface is smooth, so mohair softly glows.
- Colour. Mohair takes dye brilliantly; shades come out bright and clean.
- Resilience. Mohair holds its shape and felts less than ordinary wool.
Shop the edit
Kid Mohair & Silk Cardigan, Blush Pink · $175
Cropped Kid Mohair & Silk Cardigan, Lavender · $175
Kid Mohair & Silk Flared-Sleeve Cardigan, Coral · $175Why kid mohair is blended with silk
Fine mohair alone is fluffy but delicate. A silk core makes the thread strong and smooth and gives the fabric a subtle shimmer. The classic ratio is 70% kid mohair / 30% silk, the Italian yarn we use for our light cardigans and socks. More in Kid mohair and silk.
Who it suits
A kid mohair cardigan is for anyone who values warmth without weight, loves layering and wants a piece that looks expensive without fuss. It works with jeans, silk skirts and evening dresses, and it is the perfect gift for a woman who is always cold.
FAQ
Is kid mohair wool or down?
It is fleece from young Angora goats’ first shearings. The fluffiness comes from long, fine fibres forming a halo around the thread.
Is kid mohair warm?
Yes. Thanks to the air in its halo, it is warmer than you would expect from something so light. For real cold, choose mohair blended with merino.
Does kid mohair shed?
A new piece may shed a little in the first days; that is normal. Quality yarn with a silk core sheds minimally.
