Marveling in mohair
18. Apr, 2011 
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‘Last week the winner of the Mohair SA/Vogue Knitting “Magic of Mohair” Competition, Laura Zukaite is in SA to get a full understanding of the mohair industry as part of her prize. Already an accomplished knitter and sweater designer for Polo Ralph Lauren in New York, Laura impressed the competition judges at Vogue Knitting Live, the world’s biggest knitting event (where her entry was showcased) so much that her garment was selected as the winning prize. The event was held in New York in January.
As you may know, SA produces most of the world’s mohair, 52% in fact, and this is why Mohair SA sponsored this competition.
Li Edelkoort, the international trend forecaster, still rates mohair as the most sustainable and versatile fibre to be used in international fashion and design, with knitting becoming increasingly more fashionable. There are more and more knitting clubs, websites and blogs all about knitting. It’s all about with a return to basics, making use of natural and sustainable fibres. Internationally there is such a huge mohair revival, and we want to encourage the same revival right here in South Africa.’ Press release
I got to ask Laura a few questions about her win, and her thoughts on the Mohair industry in S.A.
Firstly, congratulations on your win! What does winning this competition mean to you?
Before the trip, winning this competition meant a personal achievement and an opportunity made possible by Mohair SA to visit South Africa for the first time in my life. But now, after spending time in Port Elizabeth, winning this competition has offered the most incredible learning experience about mohair that one could only dream of.
What are your general impressions of South Africa?
South Africa is a beautiful country with very friendly people who like to have “tea” every chance they get. I was very lucky to spend some time on the Angora Goat Farm and see the lifestyle differences as long as landscape changes on the way.
What have you learned most importantly about the mohair industry in South Africa?
The biggest thing I have learned about the mohair industry in South Africa is that everyone is working really hard to make it bloom and at the same time bring it back to South Africa itself. Apparently, most of the mohair yarn produced within the country gets sold overseas. It is unfortunate that you can barely buy mohair yarn in the mohair capital of the world, but it might change really soon.
Why do you work with mohair?
What is that you love about this medium?
I mainly work with mohair because of its luster and the lightweight quality. I love working with lace-weight mohair the most because it gives the garment an incredible drape and flows with the movement. It is also a non-creasing fiber, so it is very versatile.
Check out Laura’s blog here.
Also check out www.mohair.co.za to see some of their amazing products. I’d kill for a few mohair blankets. Winter’s on it’s way after all! Simply beautiful.
