Mohair yarns and substitutes
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- Опубліковано 15 бер 2022
- ✨SOCIAL MEDIA ✨
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Lana Gatto Mohair Royal
Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair
Filcolana Tilia
Zakami Baby Suri Alpaca Silk
Fyberspates Cumulus
Camarose Månestråle and Midnatssol
Lang Yarns Suri Alpaca
Camarose Snefnug
This was a good review on more skeins of mohair than i ever knew exhibited! Thank you for doing this!
Love this! Mohair has been a bit overwhelming for me as a new knitter so it's great to hear about your experiences and recommendations.
Thank you so much Kellie ❤️
I’m glad you talked about this, I crocheted for a while & for some reason with that I didn’t mind using fake fibers, but now with knitting, I just want to knit with nice fibers & I’m not sure why. I have a ton of single skein merino wools for socks & such but I have been so scared of sweater projects (which I loved when crocheting) because of needing mohair with mainly everything I enjoy as far as patterns, if I need it, the price, etc so this was so helpful.
I’m so glad to hear it was useful 🥰 I hope you find some lovely sweater projects for your yarns ❤️
100% agree your opinion on the drops kid silk but I love the brushed alpaca silk. It gives so much softness and fluff
I just started to knit with silk alpaka because I thought "why not?", but I couldn't find anything about pros and cons using it, so I was actually a bit worried that it would have some negative side effects or something like that, because I didn't see a lot of people using it. So this video was perfect! Thank you very much! I feel like a lot of my questions have been answered
Hello Karoline, very informative podcast. It is so nice to hear other knitter perspective on a mohair. Shibui Silk Cloud is the softest mohair I have ever knit, the one I can wear under my chin. It is pricey, but it has a high silk content 40%. The fluff is more delicate but it adds a wonderful halo effect and like all other mohairs helps to even out stitches in stokinette. All other mohairs i need to wear with some undergarments, but I love the luxurious effect they give to my knitted projects. I seem to be more sensitive to some alpaca, but I can wear Suri Alpaca next to skin. I do find that when stranding with suri alpaca I get “some laddering” between stitches, when I knit in plain stokinette. But for my daily garments I prefer not to use fluffy yarns. I work from home, so I like to do some light housework or some cooking in between my work tasks, so fluff gets in a way, and more smooth yarn or cotton/merino blends are my favourite and most practical. As a side note, I live in a very dry climate, on high elevation, so I find that my skin is more sensitive here. I remember I could wear a Shetland wool next to skin when I used to live in Europe. Cheers from Canada, Kasia
i found this video very interesting and super helpful! I have been looking at the camarose for a long time but since I am in the US there is only a limited # of places to get it and I wasn't sure from just pictures what it was really like so it was extremely helpful to see it in motion and up close!
Love this video. It’s so helpful for someone who recently knit their first sweater with mohair and I’m not sure it’s for me. So to know there are alternatives out there, if I choose to make another garment that needs a strand of mohair, is brilliant. Thank you for making this! 😊
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Lynsey ❤️
Hi Karoline! This is my first time watching you. Thank you for sharing. I’m experimenting with mohair a bit, too, and trying to find ways to substitute single strand in some patterns that call for double. I’ve used Biches & Buches silk 30% mohair 70%. It’s worked quite well for me and is in a doable price range. I’ve avoided some beautiful hand dyed mohair due to price (Hedgehog Fibers and Lichen & Lace). Maybe I’ll try them at some point as a treat. When substituting a single strand for a mohair double, I look at gauge and try for a yarn that may already be blended with something else - even yak or llama - or I like longwool as it tends to have a sheen and drape.
You answered all my questions about knitting with a second strand of mohair vs alpaca. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! 🥰
I’ve mostly knit accessories with mohair. It just seemed a bit extra for a sweater 🤣 but that said, the new pompom mag is making me think I need to make some mohair garments. Thanks for the info!
Honestly I tried knitting with mohair after watching you and other youtubers always talking abt it!! Found the diablo from hobbii a bit itchy but did like their alpaca blaze. Have recently bought knitting for olive soft silk mohair and I am very very excited to try it for a nice and cozy sweater 😊
I’ve never tried Diablo but Sophie Knit Purl Girl just mentioned it in her podcast - she’s not a big fan either. Hope you enjoy KFO!
With yarns like mohair that are on the upper end of the price spectrum, I'm always a bit torn. On one hand I know from personal experience that paying double the amount for a higher end yarn is just not possible and can easily not just double but triple the price for the finished garment. The again I like to think of myself as an eco friendly knitter and I don't really want to support companies like hobbii and drops who do not publish how and where they source their yarns.
That being said, it's always a very personal decision and there is so much more than preference to it and I love that you're being open about not having money as your biggest concern. I think knowing as much as we can, learning about how to substitute certain yarns and then making an informed decision about the garment we make is the best thing about our craft!
Rant over ha.. loved the video and the food for thought Karoline!
I love what you said about making an informed decision because I completely agree! As someone who’s really privileged and has had the opportunity to knit with really expensive yarn (both gifted and paid for by myself) I’m acutely aware that it’s easy to sound preachy or like there’s not room to feel differently - and there totally is! I wish more people were aware that you can often just knit with one strand and maybe it means a wider range of yarns will be in your price range.
That said; the one project I have kid silk for is a project in three strands mohair because I couldn’t believe how much that’d be in expensive mohair. I’d no longer buy three strands of mohair for *any* project but still money there would be a consideration for me.
A couple weeks ago, I was looking for something to hold alongside Drops Air and everywhere I saw recommended mohair, but I just couldn't justify the cost, and didn't really want any additional halo. So I swatched it up with some Knit Picks Palette (light fingering 100% wool) on a whim, and it's been really great. I'm making the Aosta sweater, and was about 75% done with just Drops Air when I decided that I didn't like the fabric at the gauge. So by adding a light fingering I got spot-on gauge to the pattern and I'm loving it. I'm doing Drops Air in wheat combined with undyed/bare palette, and really love the very slight marling effect.
Ooooh that’d be lovely and compliment the fuzzy nature of drops air! I’ve heard air can be bad for losing shape (though I’ve never worked with it) so an extra strand might help too
I did enjoy hearing about your different experiences with mohair and alpaca. You had a good range to show. I can find mohair itchy so unfortunately/fortunately I usually have to use a mohair with higher silk content or alpaca. My favourites are La Bien Aimee, Shibui, and Isager. I want to try Knitting for Olive as well.
I’ve yet to try La Bien Aimee and Shibui but if they’re in the same category as Isager they must be good! I love KFO - it’s not as soft as Isager but not itchy and wears well
This was such a great vlog it’s so hard to know which mohairs to buy , thank you I’m off to look them up😊
Gotta love a little yarn browse 😊
I just found your channel. Thank you for the information regarding mohair. I've stayed away from mohair because my experience with it hasn't been favorable, especially when frogging. But this makes me want to give it a go again.
Oh yes frogging with mohair is just….. horrific 😅 But the results are very pretty!
The last tidbit about just omitting the mohair in projects was very reassuring for me. As someone who lives in a warmer climate, mohair is not really even practical. The only thing I really like about it is that it fills in the knitted fabric. I have been itching to try out some alpaca replacements since I LOVE alpaca like you! Thanks for all the wonderful info!
I have heard that alpaca is one of the warmest fibres - whether that’s true or not I’m not sure. I personally love them! You can certainly omit them though and I’ve grown to really like how DK weight yarns look on their own. Filcolana Peruvian Highland Wool is a definite favourite for me 🥰
I'm not a mohair fan either. I feel like patterns that hold a strand of mohair with the main yarn are much more popular in Europe than here in North America. I'm sensitive to it too, and I found that cheap ones like Debbie Bliss are super itchy, but more expensive ones not as much. I'm also an alpaca fan and recently used Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud Lace to make Penrose Knits' Souffle Tee, which was designed using mohair. The top turned out stunning, and it's super soft on my skin :)
I just tried shibui silk cloud for the first time and have really been liking it. Very soft and runs 300m per 25g so it goes a long way! I’ll definitely be trying some alpaca alternatives in the future though 🧶
Oh that sounds amazing!
Thank you! Great info for sweaters.
Thanks for watching Denise 🥰
Such an interesting video. I find I’m not so sensitive to mohair when it’s held with a really good yarn. I have used Rowan kid mohair in sweaters, not cheap but nice & soft when finished. Thanks from Glasgow.
Hello again Christine 🥰 I’ve heard people really enjoy Roman kid mohair. I definitely think whatever you hold it with can make a difference!
Thank you. This was so informative.
Lovely to hear, thank you Gillian 🥰
The only fluffs I've knit with have been fyberspates cumulus many times on its own, once held together with another yarn for a love note and Rowan kidsilk haze held together with more of the same yarn for another lovenote. The cumulus lovenote mostly looks like the ruby cumulus yarn, the fluff was very dominant colour-wise. The KSH lovenote is much more a blending of the two yarns, the floof is more spread out on the strand, creating a subtler though longer halo. Also the KSH hurt my hands to knit with. I don't know why, I didn't get a rash or anything but my hands ached knitting with it. Fortunately I knit and washed a swatch and wore it in my bra for a day so I knew it didn't hurt to wear. I am somewhat disinclined to knit with more mohair floofs.
I have the same experiences with the fluff as you described. Sometimes it’s not a bad thing it’s very dominant but it is nice with mohair that’s not something you have to think about. Doesn’t sound good with the rash though!
Isager Silk Mohair is the softest and most beautiful mohair I’ve tried 😍 I’m sensitive to mohair and it’s itching a lot, but the one from Isager I can use close to skin. The other brands I tried is Tilia from Filcolana, Knitting for Olive, Kid Silk from Drops but none of them I can use close to skin.
Isager is just stunning, my favourite too ❤️
Brilliant please make more. I would be really interested in more discussion about alternative wool for patterns. We had a chat before which was helpful I can’t wear mohair Put love the fuzz. I just knit the magnolia bloom in snefug and midnatassol, and love it, no itching at all, and I’m knitting the novice sweater in snefug. The limited colours are a shame. I knit the fern sweater in cumulus which is nice but seemed thicker. I’ve got a drops alpaca silk to try, so I’ll let you know. But I completely agree with you, this is my pleasure and when I’m going to spend hour making something I’m lucky enough to be able to use wool I really enjoy. Wool and the gangs crazy sexy wool is similar to snefug and quite pleasant to knit with.
Snefnug is my absolutely favourite 🥰 Cumulus is definitely thicker!
My first sweater was in WATG CSW and to be completely honest I wasn’t a big fan - I found it pilled really quickly and was too heavy, so I’ve never gone back 🙈
Thanks for this Karoline. Please consider making another video with the single-strand alternatives. I often see "fuzzy" yarns but haven't tried using these as a sub for mohair or other laceweight fuzzy yarns. If you haven't knitted with enough variety personally to give a good assortment, perhaps you could ask for suggestions from other knitters to supplement the brand names?
You’re not the only one who’s asked! Are you thinking it’s important it’s fluffy?
@@KarolinesKnits Yes, fluffy/hairy texture would be expected, I'd think, if the point would be to get a similar look using a single strand rather than a wool/mohair combo of two strands. The single strand should probably be of similar weight, too, maybe a DK? Thanks for considering taking a look at what's available out there.
I've only ever used stupidly pricey mohair and it's still unpleasantly itchy for me, though I can wear very rustic yarn without issue, as long as it's not pelt-yarn / yarn with guard hair. One of my go-to subs for mohair (I really can't stand the guard hairs) is Rowan Fine Lace, a baby alpaca and merino blend that doesn't have any halo at all. What I'll say about alpaca is that, if you get the adult kind, with guard hairs (like Rowan Moordale, a gorgeous yarn in just about every way), it will prickle just like mohair - well, not to the same extent but still there will be prickle. Baby alpaca is generally without guard hair and safe as a itch-free alternative. Adult alpaca, is hit or miss (and it doesn't depend on price, so I've learned with the Moordale). Unfortunately, I haven't found anything that mimics the lightweight loft plus halo of mohair. I find that suri is too dense and it makes a heavy, muddy fabric by comparison with mohair.
Really interesting to hear your experience! Rowan Fine Lace sounds right up my street but also quite similar to the baby Suri alpaca that I love so much. Always interesting to hear about different fibres 😊
What can you mix with 100% cotton to make is look softer?
In all honesty Anine - I’ve not knit enough with cotton to know! I think it can quickly become heavy with a second strand but I honestly I have no idea.
Great viedeo, thank you! I‘ve got rather sensitive skin when it comes to mohair. But - like you - I‘ve also gotten more used to it. And the itchiness can vary from day to day. I like Lang Yarns Lace a lot, it gives a really nice sheen. But I think it is a little thinner than most mohair yarns and it also has a higher percentage of silk in it (42%). Unfortunately alpaca is not an alternative for me, as I think it is even itchier than mohair.
I have heard that alpaca spans quite wide for itchiness so if you’ve never tried a fluffy version I would give it a go. I haven’t heard anyone say midnatssol is itchy. I have yet to try Lang yarns but have heard good things ❤️
@@KarolinesKnits Maybe I should give Midnatsol a try. I really like Camarose and they also got good colours.
Hello ☺️ I’m just wondering if you mix say acrylic yarn and mo-hair? Xx
I have never knit in any yarns with high acrylic content as far as I can remember so probably not the right one to ask! I would always rather have a natural fibre over pure acrylic but again aware this is personal preference ☺️ I do have a yarn in stash that has acrylic and mohair but I’m not loving the feeling of it tbh!
Hi Karoline, my daughter has been looking up petite knits and wants me to make her a few garments. She can’t wear mohair (too itchy) and she is a student so it would be so much easier to use a superwash wool. Most of petite knits project suggest mohair held generally with Sunday which is a 3 ply merino yarn. Do you think I could use a super wash DK instead of the about combination? I found Drops superfine merino which looks good but the meterage is different so I’m worried I might get a very different result. I asked Petite knit directly but they said this is something they haven’t tried so they can’t comment. Do you have any suggestions at all? Thank you x
Hi Simona. It's so hard with yarn substitutions. I have actually knitted in that yarn before, and what I would warn you is that super wash is hard to work with as the coating for super wash changes how the yarn behaves. It has a tendency to grow A LOT in the wash so you'd have to swatch really carefully and wash it on a wool programme, and then still I'd be cautious and maybe size down as a full sized garment would stretch more than a swatch.
As I said, I used to be really sensitive to mohair, but there are still many non-superwash yarns that I have used and liked that are roughly in DK weight territory, such as Filcolana Peruvian Highland and Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino. If you can find Lana Gatto Maxi VIP anywhere that might be the softest yarn I have ever worked with and that has held up soooooo well - it is a merino cashmere blend so incredibly soft. I know Knitt.co.uk still stocks VIP which is the fingering weight version. Sandnes Double Sunday could also be an option. Another benefit of non-superwash is that personally my knits don't smell and rarely needs wash, the joy of wool! So I wouldn't worry too much about your daughter being a student.
No matter what yarn you choose it might worth buying one ball, knitting a small swatch and ask your daughter to wear it against her skin for an extended period to judge whether she likes it.
I hope this was useful!
@@KarolinesKnits thank you so much for your reply… I’ve looked it into it more and I found that both Drops merino extra fine and sanders double Sunday can be machine washed even though they are not classed as super wash so I think I’ll do what you suggested and order one ball to start with and test it out. Since I started to follow you I’ve learned so much about yarns so thank you for that! I’m also planning to make the ‘as easy as knit’ dress you made (i can’t remember when that was as I’ve been catching up with all your videos in the last week! )
Do you feel any difference with Midnatssol & Månestråle or is it just the look that's different?
Månestråle has glitter through it so it’s a bit rougher - but I’d say that’s it.
I agree with you about Drops Kid Silk, it feels fake and I just don't like it. However, their Brushed Alpaca is lovely, but thicker. I am currently knitting with Midnatssol, which is very nice, but a tad pricey.
I have worked with brushed alpaca before and it’s nice! To me it’s just a little bit too thick for much projects, cumulus is just a tad thinner. Midnatssol is pricier but at least cheaper than most mohair’s 🙈
@@KarolinesKnits If you have the chance, try to find Rosarios4 Aurora. It's a VERY nice mohair at a fairly reasonable price. Not sure how available it is in the UK (it's a Portuguese brand).
Also, about Snefnug. Does it pill or grow any after blocking?
Thanks for this video. Unfortunately I'm extremely allergic to mohair. Epipen allergic. I'm also allergic to Alpaca.
I'm so happy you did mention that we don't have to use it. I'm a Spinner and wondering if Gotland used as corespun yarn could work.
You can certainly leave it out! That sounds like an incredibly difficult allergy to live with.
Sounds interesting with Gotland! We’re definitely out of my area of expertise with spinning.
Is this our first (unofficial) collab, Karoline????
Karoline has been telling us you've bought every mohair you can find in prep for yours? 😂
@@janloughran1503 pretty much! There are a few new products on the market that I haven’t purchased or tried yet, but I’ve tried about 70 😊
I love this would 100% be behind this being the first collab. What should our next one be?!
@@KarolinesKnits the possibilities are endless!!!
I don’t understand why everyone always talks about cruelty free silk, and no one talks about the cruelty that happens to the mohair goats.
I know multiple brands like knitting for Olive and sandnes garn have made statements about ensuring there is no mulesing, especially knitting for Olive is very focused on being cruelty free for silk worms and animals
@@msy6487 Goats are never mulesed. There's no reason to do it, as they don't have the same wrinkly skin and dense wool around the back end that merino sheep do. They therefore aren't susceptible to fly strike in that area.
That's not to say cruelty isn't a pervasive problem in industrial mohair production, btw. Unfortunately, it is.