Fluffy goat hair is created by nature itself for the benefit of humans. Soft, warm clothing protects against severe frosts, heals sore joints and helps cope with colds. The quality of the material is superior to sheep vegetation. It is distinguished by elasticity, a smoother and more uniform structure. Things knitted from the fluff of a horned pet last for many years without losing their original appearance.
Features of goat hair
The chemical composition of goat fluff is unique - the vegetation consists of protein substances (keratin and fibroin).This means that animal fur contains valuable components such as sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen.
Goat hair consists of 3 components:
- Coarse, thickened guard hairs. Hard fibers determine the volume and overall structure of the fur, and also serve as protection from external environmental influences.
- Transitional hairs. They are much thinner than their guard “brothers”.
- Short, soft fluff. Delicate, thin, crimped fiber.
The hair scales are securely attached to the cortex. This feature gives the animal's coat shine and silkiness. The main criterion for fiber quality is the thickness of the hair (fineness). It is measured in micrometers. The length, crimp and strength of the hairs are of great importance.
The complex structure of the coat provides the animal with protection from heat and frost. Hairs of different sizes create numerous air sacs - pockets. Traps trap air near the surface of the pet's body, so goats do not suffer from freezing or overheating.
The material is capable of absorbing a large amount of moisture and immediately releasing it to the outside. This property allows the animal to keep warm even when wet. Certain varieties of wool and down are distinguished by a hollow, tubular structure of the hair, and therefore have better thermal insulation qualities.
Advantages and disadvantages
Goat hair is known for its healing and warming qualities, but the material is not suitable for everyone.
Classification and characteristics by breed of animals
Animals of the Orenburg, Kashmir and Angora breeds are most often used as suppliers of down and wool.
According to technical characteristics, the material is divided into groups:
- Uniform wool (mohair or angora). Exceptionally durable, semi-rough, shiny and silky. Angora wool is distinguished by its snow-white color. The material is readily used in the textile industry. Wool serves as raw material for high-quality suiting and drapery fabrics.
- Patchy or mixed goat hair. Such material is obtained from any breed of animal, with the exception of the Angora goat. Coarse, mixed wool includes guard hairs, transition hairs and fine down hairs. This material is used for making carpets and thick felted products.
- Pure fluff.The material is obtained from the Kashmir and Orenburg goat breeds. Even light merino wool cannot compare with the delicacy and fineness of goat down hairs. Silky material is obtained by combing animals. The quality of down varies. The material is divided into 3 categories: coarse-haired angora (the densest fluff - 30 microns), cashgora (thinner - 23 microns), cashmere (the lightest - 19 microns).
In addition to technical classification, goat wool is divided by color (white, light gray, colored, black). The color of heterogeneous, coarse wool is not determined.
According to the condition, the material is divided into 2 categories:
- Dirty, cheap wool. This group includes strands with a large amount of foreign impurities (more than 3%).
- Normal material. Used for expensive products.
Application area
The high cost of down products often confuses buyers and forces them to purchase items made from polyester materials. This is reflected in the production volumes of knitted products. However, no artificial substitutes can compare with the unique properties of goat down.
Felt products (hats, slippers, felt boots), side fabric, all kinds of rollers and brushes, drive belts and other elements for mechanisms are produced from mixed, coarse material.
Coats, hats, cardigans, stoles and even soft toys are knitted from high-quality mohair. Dense mohair is used to make magnificent rugs and blankets. Due to the purity of the material, the products are recommended for use by children. Weightless, warm shawls are knitted from the fluff of Orenburg goats. Proponents of a healthy lifestyle advise using undyed yarn. This material retains unique antibacterial properties.
Features of knitting with wool yarn and down
For knitting, soft goat fluff is used, combined with cotton, linen or slippery silk thread. It is not recommended to use a hook for this work. In this case, the canvas comes out too rough. When knitting with knitting needles, the product turns out uniform and soft. The diameter of the knitting needles should be taken a little larger than required for such a thickness of yarn. When working with goat down yarn, you should not choose complex openwork patterns.
Material care rules
Warm woolen products require delicate and careful care. Wash clothes by hand, at a water temperature of no higher than 30 degrees. In some cases, it is possible to wash woolen items in a machine, if it has a special program.
Before the procedure, the clothes are turned inside out. For washing, use special detergents for woolen products. Dry clothes by laying them on a table or any flat horizontal surface, away from the radiator.
