What is camel hair

Camel hair, also known as camel wool or camel cashmere, is a fabric made using hairs from the Bactrian camel. Bactrian camels are found primarily in Asia between Turkey, China, and Siberia, with the greatest populations in the Mongol Steppes region.

While many camels have short hair, Bactrian camels have much longer hair that can be made into fabrics. The first uses of camel hair date back to the ancient cultures of individuals living in the Mongol Steppes. Towards the end of the British Empire, it was a popular choice for textiles, and recently camel wool has become increasingly popular for garments since it is cruelty-free and more sustainable than other fabric types.

Bactrian camels have both an undercoat and outer guard hair. The guard hair is designed to offer protection and warmth to a camel against very old winters.

This hair is thick and hard and can make camels appear fuzzier in the middle of the winter. The job of the undercoat is to insulate the camel and keep them warm. This soft undercoat is what most camel hair fabrics, particularly garments, are made from. There are three grades of camel hair fabric: high, medium and low. The fineness of the hair as well as its color determine whether fibers are categorized as high-, medium-, or low-grade. High-grade camel wool, which comes from the undercoat, is characterized by its very fine and soft texture.

High-grade fabrics are light tan in color. Most camel hair fabrics used to make apparel are high-grade, though some medium-grade fibers may also be used. Medium-grade fibers also come from the undercoat, but they are longer and have a coarser texture than high-grade fibers.

Garments made using medium-grade fibers will feel rougher than those made using high-grade fibers. Since these hairs are much thicker and coarser, they are not suitable for use in making garments. They can be used for other applications such as making carpets and other textiles.

Unlike other animals that must be sheared to get their wool, Bactrian camels naturally shed their hair in the late spring or early summer. This means that camel hair is more sustainably sourced and there is less concern about mistreatment of animals during the harvesting process, as there is with other types of wood. After the hair has fallen off the camel, it must be washed to remove dirt and other impurities.

The hair is then separated into individual strands, a process referred to as carding. Once carded, the camel wool can be spun into yarn. The yarn is washed one last time, then it is ready to be used to make garments and other textiles. Mongolia is the largest exporter of camel hair in the world.

Many Bactrian camel breeders in Mongolia are nomadic and are descendants from a long line of Bactrian camel breeders. Many of these breeders follow the age-old techniques of harvesting the camel wool that their ancestors from long ago followed, however some breeders have adopted more modern methods to harvest the hair from a camel.

Some other countries that also produce and export camel hair include Russia, China, Tibet, Iran, and Afghanistan. These five countries are also located in Asia, not far from Mongolia. Some of the same nomadic tribes from Mongolia and the Mongol Steppes are also found in these other countries. Camel hair is an excellent insulator.

Its thermostatic properties work to keep camels warm during frigid and snowy winters in the mountains, while also helping them stay cool in the hot desert sun. Fabrics made from camel hair share these same properties, making it a versatile fabric with a wide range of uses.

In fact, it is such a versatile and valuable material that as far back as the Bible you will find mention of camel hair fabric being used to make tents, cloaks, and carpets. Some of the more common uses for camel hair include scarves, sweaters, suits, coats, and even undergarments. The coarser camel guard hairs are often used for thicker textiles such as carpets or tents. Camel hair should be hand washed to protect the fabric and extend its usable life.

If your camel wool item is not labeled as dry-clean only, you can wash it in a wash basin using cold water. Camel hair is a very sensitive material, and may be prone to shrinkage or damage if not treated with care. Add a detergent designed for wool and other natural fibers to the cold water in the wash basin and gently mix to stir it into the water. I haven't ever knit with Mohair but I do have mohair scarf and shrug.

I like mohair it feels soft, looks cosy and it's warm but I can't wear it due to allergies. Can camel hair get wet? Hair from the undercoat of the Bactrian camel makes for coats and jackets that are soft to the touch, and when worn able to protect the wearer from extremes of both cold and heat. Dry the camelhair coat away from direct heat if it becomes wet, and brush it in the direction of the nap.

Is camel hair cruelty free? A: Camel Hug is a cruelty free company. We source camel hair from the domesticated two-humped Bactrian camel in China, where the majority of the world's supply is produced. Each camel produces about five pounds of hair fibre per year. What is camel skin used for? Leather jackets, handbags, wallets, shoes, iPhone covers, utility items, car upholstery - you name it, and camel leather can be used for it. Furnishing is perhaps the only usage that camel leather can find a bit difficult to adapt to - given the nature of camel hides they are smaller than cow hides, on an average.

What does camel hair look like? Such camels have protective outer coats of coarse fibre that may grow as long as 15 inches 40 cm. The fine, shorter fibre of the insulating undercoat, 1. What color is camel hair? Camel hair fabric is most often seen in its natural tan color. When the fiber is dyed, it is generally navy blue, red, or black.

Which is warmer camel hair or cashmere? All three fibers tend to be warm. In general, cashmere warmest, camel hair next, and wool not as much as the first two.

But fabric thickness and how it is woven also plays a role. How do you clean a camel hair coat? Camel hair is sensitive to water temperature and agitation, and it can shrink if not treated properly. Submerge the item and gently agitate the water with your hands to evenly distribute soap.

Soak for up to 30 minutes. Are camel coats warm? She was right: Camel coats are classic and ladylike. The outerwear is so named because they are actually made of the soft hair that camels shed in warmer months, usually blended with wool. The hair is lightweight while also being extremely warm. What is camel cashmere? The Cashmere Kashmir or down goat.