I’m always reminded of the “Sniffing Accountant” episode of “Seinfeld,” whenever I see someone have an allergic reaction. I can pretty well trace back any significant or arcane discovery in my life to that television show; but it was very popular at a very pivotal age in my life. As anyone who has seen the episode knows, Jerry is in this big stupid sweater when he goes to see his account; who then begins having “sniffing” episodes. Jerry immediately thinks that his account is doing drugs and he’s using Jerry’s money to facilitate this drug addiction. Hilarity ensues and (spoiler alert) they come to surmise that the accountant is actually allergic to the big stupid sweater which is made of MOHAIR!!
Kramer: What’s the matter? You’ve got a cold?
Ralph: No Kramer, what is this?
Kramer: It’s a sweater.
Ralph: What’s it made out of?
Kramer: I don’t know, Jerry gave it to me.
Jerry: Mohair, I think.
Ralph: Mohair, that figures, I’m allergic to mohair.
Jerry: You mean you just started sniffing?
Ralph: Yeah, mohair does it to me every time.
I had always wondered and never bothered to find out exactly what mohair even was. Leave it to my crack-pot research skills and the glory of the World Wide Web to make my mohair questions no longer a mystery.
The generally accepted definition of mohair which I’m using for this article was found at wisegeek.com. Mohair is a silky textile produced from the hair of the Angora goat. It is most often spun into a thread that can be woven, knitted, or crocheted depending upon the application. Mohair is durable, warm, insulating, and light. It also has moisture wicking properties that carry moisture away from the skin of the wearer. The hair of the Angora goat has been used to produce textiles for centuries, and the term mohair entered English usage from the Arabic mukhayyar, referring to a type of woven head cloth.
There is actually a website called www.mohairusa.com which deals in all manners of mohair. One fact I found on this website that I thought was particularly interesting is that mohair isn’t just a fabric; it’s a “lifestyle choice.” Hmmm…I figured there must have been a reason that Jerry Seinfeld chose to speak about mohair in his show. From www.mohairusa.com:
What started out as fashionable trends have become lifestyle choices. Health awareness, natural foods and natural fibers are some of the basic new ideals set forth in the past two decades. The distinctive properties of mohair have made it a highly desired fiber through the centuries for both clothing and home furnishings. Its soft luxurious hand and rich luster combine with great durability for a long lasting product.”
While I don’t know how much of a “lifestyle choice” selecting mohair is (unless, of course, all your clothes are made of the stuff) I can see the value in having mohair as an option. So the next time you’re considering knitting a sweater or blanket, why not use mohair? That is, of course, unless you’re…allergic!
