Knitting and crochet with mohair

Which yarn to choose. Alfa (98 % superkid mohair, 50 g, about 100 m) is the thicker one: it knits up fast and keeps you warm, for jumpers, cardigans and hats. Beta (77 % superkid mohair and 23 % silk, 25 g, about 120 m) is the fine one: more drape and sheen for shawls, scarves and light pieces.

On its own or held double. Beta can be knitted on its own, on slightly larger needles than its weight would suggest so the halo can breathe, or held together with another yarn (wool, cotton, silk) to bring softness and that classic mohair halo to any project.

Crochet too. Mohair looks wonderful in open, lacy stitches: with a larger hook than usual the fabric stays light and the halo fills the gaps.

Frogging is hard. The halo makes stitches cling to each other, so mohair doesn't unravel easily. Take your time, count often and, on long projects, thread a lifeline every few rows.

Buy the whole project from one dye lot. We dye in small batches and the shade varies a little from one to the next. Work out how many balls the whole piece needs and buy them together: each yarn page has a rough calculator (for example, about 7 balls of Alfa for an adult jumper).

When you finish. Wash the piece by hand, below 30 °C with mild soap, and dry it flat in the shade. The stitches settle and the halo opens up.

Want to learn with us? Our mohair experience follows the fibre's journey, from the goat to the finished lace.