Frances van Hasselt is a South African producer of mohair products.
Mohair has its origins in Central Asia where the goats produced fibres that were used domestically. The goats were transported to Turkey where they were kept as household animals to produce a precious product much in demand for royal garments. Now Angora goats can be found across the world but the best fibres come from South Africa where industry has developed an exceptionally fine fibre.
Frances van Hasselt grew up on one of the oldest mohair studs in the world in the Karoo, a semi-arid desert in the Cape of South Africa. The demanding conditions of the Karoo have resulted in a fibre that is lustrous, soft and insulating against both heat and cold. The artist-maker now produces beautiful blankets, tapestries, knitwear, and woven goods such as rugs, using hand-spun mohair and taking inspiration from the beauty of the Karoo.
See some of the work here through photo-essays that showcase the story of this marvellous fibre that comes from such a remarkable place.
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