The Mohair of Mister Joe

Mohair originates from the Angora goat’s fleece which takes its name from the Province of Angora (today’s Ankara) in Turkey.

During the mid 1500’s a travelling Dutchman saw these goats and immediatly noticed the exceptional quality of their wool, but since the Angora goat needs a mild and dry climate, the idea of exporting herds wasn’t successful.

In 1838 the Sultan of Turkey sent twelve infertile Angora rams and one ewe in South Africa. Unknow to the Sultan, the ewe was pregnant and gave birth to a ram kid on route, estabilishing the Angora breeding stock in South Africa.

The Karoo region of South Africa’s Eastern Cape revealed the most suitable environment for their farming and now South Africa is the largest producer of Mohair in the world.

For over 40 years, Mister Joe has been producing yarns, using the very finest qualities of Mohair, from the top breeding farms in South Africa.

Mister Joe has total confidence in its long term South African suppliers, whom all follow an ethically sustainability production process. And all whom posses a deep respect for the over all well being of their animals.

On March 18, 2020 the Textile Exchange has announced the release of RMS (Responsible Mohair Standard for the certification of a responsible and sustainable mohair, the first batches compliant with the standard will be available in the coming months.