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Yarn ·
The fascinating facets of the diamond fiber: Mohair
Mohair yarn comes from the Angora goat and gives a high sheen and soft halo, and here are its history, pros and cons, and seven mohair yarns we like.
If cashmere is indicative of quiet luxury, then mohair is it’s loud cousin.
This shiny, luxurious fiber is prized for it’s unique properties that go beyond softness and sheen.
Mohair is that bit of bling that elevates an outfit from good to glamourous.
It can be a supportive wingman, making everything around it look a little more classy.
Or it can be the star of the show, stealing the breathe of anyone that catches it’s eye.
And while it’s rarity demands a higher price, Mohair doesn’t care, because it knows its worth it.
So what is it about this yarn that has people calling it *The Diamond Fiber* all around the world?
What exactly is mohair?
Mohair is a silk-like yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat.
Contrary to common misconception, it’s important to clarify that Angora goats are distinct from Angora rabbits, which produce Angora wool.
The fibers of mohair are known for their high sheen and luster, which is due to the fiber’s smooth surface. While its hair does have scales like other wools, they are not fully developed, giving mohair it’s unique properties.
Mohair fibers are also longer compared to sheep wool, making them less prone to fraying and tangling.
This quality gives mohair yarn a distinctive fluffy and lightweight character, making it a favorite among many knitters.
But how did mohair become so popular as a textile fiber?
A brief history of mohair
It is believe that mohair is one of the oldest textile fibers in history.
Hailing from the Tibetan mountains, Angora goats made their way into Turkey by the 16th century. The strong textile trade of the region began to spread fabric made from the fiber around the world.
The word “mohair” was most likely adapted from the Arabic word “mukhayyar,” a type of headband worn at the time.
Up until the mid 1800s Turkey had a monopoly on all production of mohair from Angora goats. In 1838 an effort to commercially scale production brought the goats to South Africa where they were crossbred with native goats.
Within a few decades they found their way to Australia, New Zealand, and The United States.
Today South Africa is the largest producer of mohair fiber, with The United States in second.
So what is it about mohair that everyone loves so much?
Why knit with mohair yarn?
Mohair yarn boasts several remarkable benefits that make it a coveted material in the knitting and fashion industries.
Here’s some things we adore about it:
- High Sheen and Luster: Mohair has a natural shine, making colors appear more vibrant.
- Excellent Insulation: Despite being lightweight, mohair effectively retains heat, ideal for warm clothing.
- Durability: Resistant to wrinkling, stretching, and sagging, ensuring long-lasting garments.
- Resilience: Maintains its quality over time, perfect for heirloom projects.
- Dyeability: Mohair takes color extremely well and is prized among hand dyers and textile manufactures for it’s color fastness.
It’s also perfect as a carryon yarn, holding it together with another yarn to add some halo.
But we all know every flower has it’s shadow…
Drawbacks of mohair yarn
Like all yarns, mohair has its share of disadvantages.
Here’s a few things to keep in mind when using it:
- Potential for Allergic Reactions: Can irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies in some individuals.
- Higher Cost: Production costs and demand make mohair more expensive compared to other yarns.
- Maintenance: Requires gentle care; prone to felting if mishandled during washing.
- Limited Accessibility: Its cost and care requirements may not suit all knitters, especially beginners or those on a budget.
Do those things stop us from knitting with it?
NOPE!
So which yarns do we recommend?
Our Favorite Mohair Yarns
If you need a touch of glamour in your knits, or you want a lofty, light project that feels like it might float away, mohair is for you.
On it’s own it’s a bit expensive, but we’ve included some nice blends that are more budget friendly.
Here are some of our favorites:
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Kidsilk Haze by Rowan • $18 ($.07/yd) @ Jimmy Beans Wool
CYC #0 (Lace) • 80 Colors70% Super Kid Mohair / 30% Silk (229yds/25g)
Combine the luxuriously soft feel of kid mohair and the fine feel of silk and what do you get? Rowan's Kidsilk Haze! This oh-so soft and ever popular base is as light and airy as it is beautiful and versatile. Work up this laceweight beauty onto your hooks and needles and be amazed at the unique textures that form on your next lace shawl, fuzzy sweater, or soft top project, the possibilities are endless!
Get it here -
Aerial by Berroco • $15.25 ($.05/yd) @ Jimmy Beans Wool
CYC #0 (Lace) • 19 Colors65% Super Kid Mohair / 35% Silk (284yds/25g)
Looking for gorgeous colors, soft mohair, and shiny silk? Look no farther than Berroco Aerial. This super-soft yarn makes an ideal carry-along - it also looks amazing all on its own, talk about a heavy hitter! Each ball of yarn carries 284 yards, making it ideal for all sorts of knitted and crocheted projects! Available in a stunning array of bold colors and muted shades, there's a colorway for everybody!
Get it here -
Aloft by Knit Picks • $9.99 ($.038/yd) @ Knit Picks
CYC #0 (Lace) • 16 Colors72% Super Kid / Mohair, 28% Silk (260yds/25g)
Luxuriously soft, light, and airy, Aloft is a dreamy blend of mohair and silk that you will want to knit with again and again. The silk provides a radiant core that shimmers and shines through the soft halo of the mohair, while adding a beautiful drape and texture to any shawl, stole, or scarf. Try holding Aloft doubled for a denser fabric, or along with another yarn for surprisingly warm cardigans or wraps. Whether you use this yarn on its own or as an accent, you will find Aloft to be a versatile yarn perfectly suited for any project, big or small.
Get it here -
Valley Yarns Southampton • $9.99 ($.043/yd) @ LoveCrafts
CYC #0 (Lace) • 42 Colors72% Mohair / 28% Silk (230yds/25g)
You don’t have to travel to Southampton to find luxury – it’s right here. Valley Yarns Southampton is made of a luxurious blend of 72% kid mohair and 28% mulberry silk. Knit or crochet accessories to treasure such as delicate shawls and scarves, or sophisticated berets and boleros. Hand wash only.
Get it at LoveCrafts -
Silk Garden by Noro • $14.25 ($.13/yd) @ Jimmy Beans Wool
CYC #4 (Aran/Worsted) • 22 Colors45% Silk / 45% Kid Mohair / 10% Lamb's Wool (110yds/50g)
Noro Silk Garden is a hand-dyed blend of silk, mohair, and wool with incredible self-striping colors!! Eisaku Noro's artistry in blending colors and fibers remains unsurpassed. Wearing a garment created with Noro yarn is like wearing a work of art. Use this aran-weight yarn to make beautiful hat, scarves, sweaters, and more!
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Angora Active by Yarn Art • $9.99 ($.018/yd) @ Amazon
CYC #0 (Lace) • 12 Colors25% Mohair / 75% Acrylic (546yds/100g)
Painterly hues that range from delicate, neutral tones to strong indigos. Combine colorways in a single project to create Missoni-inspired shawls, scarves, and sweaters. A medium weight, wool/acrylic blend yarn in a 200-gram put-up means fewer interruptions in color with an appeal for knitters and crocheters alike.
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Tweed Haze by Rowan • $20.49 ($.15/yd) @ LoveCrafts
CYC #5 (Bulky) • 8 Colors40% Mohair / 39% Alpaca / 10% Polyester / 8% Cotton / 3% Polyamide (131yds/50g)
So much color, so much texture. Rowan Tweed Haze is a gorgeously tactile blend of mohair, alpaca, cotton, and polyamide fibers. The result is a springy bulky-weight yarn with the perfect amount of halo, flecked through with soft contrast touches of color. Knit or crochet accessories you’ll want to wear all year round.
Get it at LoveCrafts
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