Goat wool: advantages and disadvantages, classification and where it is applied

Goat fluffy wool by nature itself was created for the benefit of man. Soft, warm clothing protects against severe frosts, heals sore joints and helps to cope with a cold. In terms of quality, the material surpasses sheep vegetation. It is characterized by elasticity, smoother and more uniform structure. Things knitted from the fluff of a horned pet serve for many years without losing their original appearance.

Features of goat hair

The chemical composition of goat down is unique - vegetation consists of proteins (keratin and fibroin). This means that animal hair contains such valuable components as sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen.

Goat hair is made up of 3 components:

Rough, thickened guard hairs. Rigid fibers set the volume and overall structure of the fur, and also serve as protection from external environmental influences.
Transitional hairs. They are much thinner than the outer "brothers".
Short, soft down. Delicate, thin, crimped fiber.

Hair scales are securely attached to the cortical layer. 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. Of great importance is the length, crimp and strength of the hairs.

The complex structure of the coat provides the animal with protection from heat and frost. Different-sized hairs create numerous air sacs - pockets. The traps trap air near the surface of the animal's body, so the goats do not suffer from freezing or overheating.

The material is able to absorb a large amount of moisture and immediately give it out. This property allows the animal to keep warm even when wet. Some wool and down varieties have a hollow, tubular hair structure, so they have better thermal insulation qualities.

Goat hair has unique antibacterial properties. Thanks to negative electric charges, the pet's hair is reliably protected from dirt, pathogenic bacteria and bad smell.

Advantages and disadvantages

Goat hair is known for its healing and warming qualities, but the use of the material is not suitable for everyone.

Pros and consScarves, vests, socks and other items made of goat down are successfully used to treat rheumatism, tonsillitis, and sciatica. The soft warmth of woolen things helps to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. At the same time, the human body does not overheat.Down clothing is breathable, but does not allow the skin to sweat.Low degree of thermal conductivity of things. The goat down jacket is warm in winter and not hot in summer.Knitted things serve for a long time without losing their appearance.Woolen cloth is hygroscopic. Down products instantly absorb sweat and immediately bring it out.Inaccessibility of down products for allergy sufferers. Most experts consider goat hair to be hypoallergenic. However, no one can predict the individual reaction of the body to a particular stimulus.The high cost of knitted things.Down clothes and accessories are difficult to wear for a long time. Prolonged contact of wool with human skin causes discomfort.

Classification and characteristics by breed of animals

As suppliers of down and wool, animals of the Orenburg, Kashmir and Angora breeds are most often used.

According to technical characteristics, the material is divided into groups:

Uniform wool (mohair or angora). Exceptionally strong, semi-coarse, shiny and silky. Angora wool is distinguished by its snow-white color. The material is readily used in the textile industry. Wool is used as a raw material for high quality suiting and drape fabrics.
Heterogeneous or mixed goat hair. Such material is obtained from any animal breeds, with the exception of the Angora goat. Coarse, mixed wool includes outer, transitional and delicate downy hairs. Such material is used for the manufacture of carpets and dense felted products.
Pure fluff. The material is obtained from Kashmir and Orenburg goat breeds.Even light merino wool cannot be compared with the tenderness and fineness of goat down hairs. Silky material is obtained by combing animals. The quality of the fluff varies. The material is divided into 3 categories: coarse-haired angora (the densest down - 30 microns), cashmere (thinner - 23 microns), cashmere (the lightest - 19 microns).

In addition to the technical classification, goat hair 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:

Weedy, cheap wool. This group includes strands with a large amount of impurities (more than 3%).
Normal material. Used for expensive products.

Scope of application

The high cost of down products often confuses buyers and forces them to purchase items made from polyester materials.This is reflected in the volume of production of knitted products. However, no artificial substitutes can match the unique properties of goat down.

Felt products (hats, slippers, felt boots), side cloth, all kinds of rollers and brushes, drive belts and other elements for mechanisms are made from mixed, coarse material.

Coats, hats, cardigans, stoles and even soft toys are knitted from high-quality mohair. From dense mohair, magnificent blankets and blankets are made. Due to the purity of the material of the product, it is recommended to use for babies. Weightless, warm shawls are knitted from the down of Orenburg goats. Proponents of a he althy lifestyle advise using undyed yarn. Such material retains unique, antibacterial properties.

Features of knitting woolen yarn with fluff

For knitting, soft goat down is used, combined with cotton, linen or slippery silk thread. It is not recommended to use a hook for work. In this case, the canvas comes out too rough. When knitting, the product is uniform and soft. The diameter of the knitting needles should be taken a little more than it should be for such a thickness of yarn. To work with goat down yarn, do not choose complex openwork patterns.

Material Care Rules

Warm wool products need delicate and gentle care. Wash clothes by hand, at a water temperature not higher than 30 degrees. In some cases, it is allowed to wash woolen clothes in a typewriter, if there is a special program in it.

Before the procedure, the clothes are turned inside out. For washing use special detergents for woolen products. Dry clothes by laying them out on a table or any flat horizontal surface, away from the radiator.