What started as a lockdown project in 2020 is now a thriving business within a business, keeping over 22 knitters busy in the creation of Chommies’ line of colour-soaked casual-wear. And now under the new name, Mo-hey!
Renowned for its eye-catching dog accessories that rival the most designer of human-wear, the Cape Town-based brand continues to bring its signature joy to people with its collections of hand-knitted mohair jerseys, cardigans, hoodies, coats and vests.
Whether you’re grabbing coffee and walking your dog in the morning, wrapping up after a cold-water swim or enjoying cocktails and snacks with best friends in the evening, Mo-hey! brings a sense of fun and effortless luxury to everyday life.
Every piece has been conceived to become a versatile wardrobe staple to take you through the seasons, brightening your days while cocooning you in a luxurious layer of warmth. The naturally ‘breathing’ fibres absorb and release atmospheric moisture, leaving you at your most comfortable.
Each Mo-hey! item is made from hand-sheared, hand-spun and hand-dyed wool, and is hand-knitted — strictly no machines allowed!
The intricate process begins with the finest mohair fibres from Adéle’s Mohair’s Angora goats that roam freely across the Greater Karoo region. Shearing is an essential part of keeping Angora goats healthy — as their coat grows continuously, it must be shorn twice a year. This wool is expertly spun into an incredibly soft, lightweight, silky yarn, which is naturally dyed in carefully selected colours.
Chommies’ team of phenomenal knitters, who span the ages of 24 to 84 years, then get to work. Each Mo-hey! piece is a unique labour of love and masterful skill that has often been passed down through the generations, bearing the mark of each knitter’s own individual techniques and handling. As part of Chommies’ commitment to supporting local communities, the knitters are offered flexible working hours, enabling them to work from home at times that complement their lives and responsibilities.
Nathalie Klijn, Chommies’ founder and creative director, takes a creative approach to the selection of colours in the Mo-hey! range. Dictated by her travel and experiences, if Klijn sees something that inspires her, she’ll turn that colour palette into a unique piece. The result is a kaleidoscope of colour-happy combinations, named after cocktails, flowers and South African landscapes. Multi-coloured combos like Karoo Morning reflect the gentle sunrise with hues of peach and yellow, while the monochromatic Emerald captures the rich jewel tones of its namesake. For those with more laid-back aesthetics, Limpopo, Charcoal, Camel and Linen offer the same unique products in neutral colours.
The relaxed fit of the mohair garments makes for comfortable and flattering wear, suitable for all shapes, sizes and occasions. Chommies also offers custom sizing and colour options for the Mo-hey! range.
The Mo-hey! collection is now exclusively available online and at The House of Chommies Concept Store in Gardens, the OZCF market on weekends in Granger Bay, Cape Town and the Chommies Store in Prince Albert.
Shop here https://chommies.com/collections/mo-hey.
