We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Choose the Best Mohair Yarn?

By Greer Hed
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,635
Share

Mohair yarn is a luxury fiber spun from the locks of Angora goats. As with most types of yarn, choosing the best mohair to use often depends on what kind of project will be made with the yarn. Since mohair is often found in a blend with other fibers, it is important to consider what other fibers are present in the blend and how this affects the texture of the yarn. It may also be necessary for the knitter to consider weight, or strand thickness, of the yarn, particularly if she is knitting a fitted garment. In general, the best mohair yarn will be soft and downy, with no felted pieces or stickiness.

Many knitters who are not allergic to other types of animal fiber find that they have an allergy to mohair yarn. Itching and redness of the skin are common symptoms of a mohair allergy. For a knitter who has never used mohair fiber before, it is a good idea to do a test swatch to see if an allergic reaction occurs. It is also wise for a knitter to determine if the recipient of a knitted gift is allergic to mohair.

On its own, mohair has a very light, fluffy texture, so it is often spun together with other fibers to form a blend. Blends that feature mainly wool content are heavy and durable, with less of the fuzzy halo characteristic of mohair fiber. These blends are versatile and can be used for any number of knit projects for cold weather wear, from gloves to sweaters. Mohair may also be spun around a single ply of synthetic fiber such as nylon, which holds the mohair yarn together. This type of blend has a great deal of halo but can stretch out of shape more easily than a wool/mohair blend, so it would be a good choice for a project that shows off the airy, fuzzy texture of mohair yarn while lacking definitive shape, such as a loosely knit lace scarf or shawl.

As with any other type of fiber, yarn weight is an important consideration when choosing a mohair yarn. Most patterns contain information about what yarn weight is necessary for obtaining the prescribed knitting gauge, or number of stitches per inch. Many projects that show off the downy halo of mohair are lace projects that call for a lace or fingering weight yarn knit loosely on relatively large needles. However, mohair yarn can be any weight, and a knitter should choose a yarn weight that helps her match whatever gauge is specified by her pattern.

Unlike most other types of animal fiber, mohair does not felt when exposed to extreme temperatures or when agitated. If a knitter wishes to make a felted project, it is probably best for her to choose a mohair yarn with a lot of wool content, or to forgo using mohair altogether. Another unique property of mohair is that it absorbs dye very well, meaning that mohair yarns are usually available in a wide range of rich colors. The best mohair yarns will be evenly dyed, as any signs of uneven dyeing are probably due to improper dyeing practices.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-choose-the-best-mohair-yarn.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.