Mohair Tips

1. Mohair is a smooth and slippery fiber. This makes it easily drafted and easily pulled away from you until you become accustomed to working with it. It requires less tension and a bit more twist than wool in order to stay together.

2. Mohair is a long stapled fiber. If you are having trouble drafting, check to see how long the fibers really are and be sure to keep your hands at least that far apart.

3. Mohair is a lustrous fiber. To transmit that quality into your yarn, it is best to use as low a twist as necessary to make a stable yarn. If the yarn will be subjected to hard wear (like socks, rugs, upholstery,) then durability must be put ahead of luster and therefore more twist is used. Mohair is often blended with wool to give luster or strength to a finished yarn.

4. If static electricity is a problem, try a light misting of spinning oil. You can make your own using light mineral oil and a touch of the essential oil of your choice. It also helps to let the carded mohair rest and to discharge any static electricity for a few days after carding and before spinning. Too impatient for that? You can try wiping your hands with a dryer sheet before handling the mohair .

5. Mohair does not shrink like wool does and this characteristic can be used to advantage when creating a boucle yarn (one ply of mohair and one ply of wool). After washing and agitation, the wool ply shrinks and the mohair ply does not, leaving buckles and loops of mohair.

6. Mohair does not have the elasticity of wool and if used for cuffs or ribbed parts, may stretch and sag (although it will return after laundering). Wool is often blended with mohair to improve elasticity.

7. Mohair is a very strong fiber, second only to silk; and when spun with enough twist can even make an excellent warp. It resists fraying and wear in the finished garment and is ideal for adding strength to items which are expected to take a lot of wear.