Cashmere, Camel Hair, Alpaca, Mohair, Angora, Musk-Ox, etc., are hair fibers from different
animals for manufacturing textile and fashion products. Animal fibers make excellent fabric
options for extreme climates as they are adapted by nature. The fibers can be used as it is or
mixed with wool to fashion great quality fabrics. This blog discusses different animal-hair
fibers and fabrics you can buy or sell with DMI. If you are starting your textile business
specializing in natural fiber (animal hair), you can get a basic idea about each fiber, sss
sourcing, and its end use.
Wool (Sheep)
Wool is the principal animal hair fiber procured from wild and domesticated sheep. Wild
sheep’s wool has two layers – soft and short underlayer, protected by a long, coarse upper
layer. The fleece of domesticated sheep is much longer and finer than that of the wild sheep.
Wool yarns are classified as woolen or worsted. Wool fibers less than 2 inches long are
produced into fuzzy, soft woolen yarns, while long fibers are used to make firmer worsted
yarns. Crimpled wool fibers are used for insulating materials as they produce air-trapping
yarns.
Camel Hair Fiber
Also known as coat fiber, camel hair is an expensive fiber extracted from Bactrian camels in
Turkey, China, and Siberia. The hair produces high-quality fiber, which is often mixed with
wool in order to fashion apparels that protect us from both heat and cold. Russia, New
Zealand, Tibet, Australia, and Afghanistan are the largest suppliers of camel hair fibers.
Characteristics: Strong, lightweight, thermostatic, warm, smooth, and lustrous.
End Products: Carpets, overcoats and jackets, skirts, sweaters, blazers, scarves, mufflers and
gloves, waterproof clothes, and paint brushes.
Cashmere Fiber
Cashmere or Kashmiri wool is procured from Pashmina or Cashmere goat. The wool is
collected during molting seasons when the animals naturally shed their hair. The hair is either
sheared, as it is done in Australia, Afghanistan, and New Zealand or coarse combed, like how
it is done in Mongolia and China.
Pashmina hair is extremely warm as it protects the goats from the extreme cold temperatures
of the mountain regions. You can convert its easily moldable fiber into thick and fine yarns
and heavy and lightweight fabrics.
Although Cashmere’s origins are deeply rooted in India’s Kashmir, at present, significant
suppliers are Tibet, China, and Mongolia.
Characteristics: Soft, lightweight, warmer and more delicate than regular wool, and less
durable.
End Products: Shawls, sweaters, jackets, carpets, scarves, and gloves.
Angora Goat Hair Fiber (Mohair)
Mohair is a silk-like yarn produced from the hair of the Angora Goat, primarily found in the
mountains of Tibet and Turkey. The fiber usually ranges from 9 to 12 inches. Top textile
companies in India import Mohair yarn and fabrics from America and South Africa, as they
are the largest producers currently.
Characteristics: Keratin-like smooth, dust resilient, silky and highly absorbent, anti-wrinkle,
flame resistant, warm, moth and mildew resistant.
End-Products: Carpets, sweaters, shawls, home furnishings, coats, wigs, dolls, etc.
Angora Rabbit Hair
Angora rabbit hair fiber is produced in France, Japan, the USA, Chile, and China. The
procurement and harvesting process is complex, making it one of the most luxurious and
expensive fibers. The fur of angora rabbits is very fine; therefore, producing pure angora
rabbit wool is impossible. Hence, the fiber is often combined with other natural fibers like
cashmere and sheep wool to improve its strength. There are four breeds of Angora rabbits:
English, French, Satin, and Giant. Each has different characteristics and uses. Almost all
colored Angora products are from the hairs of the French breed. The giant breed is more
commercially viable.
End Products: Shirts, suits, baby clothes, knitting, felting, and sweaters.
Alpaca Hair Fiber
Alpaca fiber is one of the most versatile but rare animal hair fibers. It can be blended into
different types of natural colors, making it the most procured fiber for fashion apparel.
Alpaca fiber retains dyes better than other Animal hair fibers. The alpaca is a camel
inhabiting the Andes mountains of South America. There are two variations: Suri (silky
pencil-like strands that resemble dreadlocks) and Huacaya (dense, soft, and sheep-like fiber).
Suri is more color diverse and is more expensive than Huacaya.
Characteristics: Well-guarded, extremely strong, and very fine hair, great thermal qualities,
compatible with both woolen and worsted systems, high visual appeal, warm, abrasion
resistant, no grease – no smell, color, and dye friendly, can be blended with other natural
fibers, and solar radiation resistant.
End Products: Fashion apparel, socks, sweaters, etc.
Buy and sell animal hair fiber and fabrics worldwide at the best prices by registering at DMI.
