Mohair
Mohair is a fluffy, lustrous fiber from the Angora goat, often spun into thin yarns to give a fuzzy, hazy look with a distinctive sheen.
Explanation
Mohair comes from the Angora goat and is characterized by long fiber length, natural shine, and a fluffy, fuzzy structure when spun into yarn. Pure mohair is relatively uncommon to knit with alone; more often, thin mohair yarns are spun together with a silk thread, which helps hold the fine mohair hairs in place while knitting. Mohair is often knitted together with another yarn to add a hazy, fuzzy halo to the surface, but the fibers can cling to other textiles and make it difficult to frog mistakes.
Also known as: Kid mohair
Hair with lustre
Mohair comes from the angora goat and is a long, smooth fiber with strong lustre. Kid mohair from young animals is the finest and softest. The yarn is often spun as a fine thread with long hairs standing out, and that is what creates the airy halo around the stitches.
Mohair is very often held together with another yarn rather than knitted alone, because the fine thread has little body by itself.
Knitting it, and ripping it out
Mohair grabs itself, and a ripped-out mohair garment is difficult — sometimes impossible — to rescue. Run a lifeline through any round you might want to return to.
If you must rip back, put the piece in the freezer for a couple of hours first. The cold stiffens the fibers and the yarn releases more easily.
Common mistakes
- Knitting mohair without a lifeline in a project with shaping.
- Knitting too tightly, which flattens the airy quality entirely.
Keywords
- mohair
- mohair yarn
- fuzzy yarn
Frequently asked questions
Can mohair be ripped out?
With difficulty. Freeze the piece for a few hours first — the cold stiffens the fibers and the stitches release more easily.
Why is mohair held with another yarn?
Because the thread is fine and has little body alone. Held with a base yarn it adds warmth and a halo without adding noticeable weight.