Which needles to use
Mohair grabs onto itself, so you want stitches to glide: polished metal needles usually work better than wood or bamboo, which grip more. Needle size depends on the fabric you're after:
- Cloud-like, sheer and very light: clearly larger needles than the ball band recommends.
- Denser and warmer: the ball band size or half a millimeter smaller.
For SLOW MO we recommend 5–8 mm (US 8–11) needles: 5 mm gives a denser, warmer fabric; 7–8 mm (US 10.75–11) a light, airy one.
A swatch matters even more with mohair than with other yarns, because the halo fools the eye. Here's how: knitting gauge swatch.
Holding mohair double
Knitting a strand of mohair together with another yarn (held double, or "carry-along") is one of the most popular ways to use it. It adds halo, softness and warmth, and the result comes out roughly one weight heavier than the main yarn.
- Needles: start from the main yarn's size and go up half to one millimeter; confirm with a swatch.
- Yardage: you need the same length of both strands. For example, a skein of BeMe has 120 m (131 yds), so one SLOW MO Flat Ball (150 m / 164 yds) covers each BeMe skein with room to spare.
- Color: a matching mohair deepens the color; a contrasting one gives a soft heathered effect.
Adapting a pattern written for another yarn? See yarn substitution.
How to knit without losing stitches
- Cast on loosely: mohair doesn't give much and the edge can end up tight.
- For your first project, pick a light color; stitches are harder to read in dark shades.
- Count often and place markers at every repeat.
- Add a lifeline every so many rows: thread a smooth cotton yarn through all the stitches on the needle. If you need to rip back, you'll only go that far.
How to frog mohair
The halo makes stitches cling to each other, so ripping back fast usually ends in a tangle or a broken strand. Pull slowly, stitch by stitch, and tease the fibers apart with your fingers when they resist. Many knitters put the piece in the freezer for a while before frogging: the cold makes the fibers cling less.
How to wash and block mohair
- Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water (30 °C / 86 °F max) and a little wool wash.
- Submerge the garment and let it soak for about 15 minutes, without rubbing or wringing.
- Press the water out gently and roll the garment in a towel to remove moisture.
- Dry flat, shaping it to its final measurements. Lace shawls can be pinned.
- Once dry, give it a gentle shake or a soft brush to bring the halo back.
No dryer and no hot water: heat and agitation will felt mohair too. Store it folded rather than hung, in a cotton bag, with lavender or cedar against moths.
FAQ
Is it normal for mohair to shed?
A little at first, yes: those are loose fibers from spinning. It decreases with wear and after the first wash.
Can you crochet with mohair?
Yes. Use a slightly larger hook than usual and simple stitches, because the halo makes stitches hard to see.
Is mohair itchy?
Kid mohair is the softest grade and most people don't find it itchy. We explain why in What is kid mohair.
Which mohair do you use?
Our SLOW MO is 100% kid mohair, 50 g / 150 m, for 5–8 mm (US 8–11) needles, in five colors. Now available for pre-order.
