If you have ever seen a sweater or shawl with a fluffy, airy, almost magical look — chances are it was mohair.
Mohair is one of the most beautiful natural yarns in the world. And once you hold it in your hands, you immediately understand why so many people fall in love with it.
Where it comes from
Mohair comes from the fleece of Angora goats. These goats are raised mainly in South Africa, Turkey and Texas, and their fleece is shorn twice a year. The resulting fibre is fine, lustrous and surprisingly strong.
What makes it different from other yarns
The first thing you notice is the fluffy effect — a fine layer of fibres rising from the strand, creating that cloud-like appearance. In the yarn world this effect is called halo, and in mohair it is more pronounced than in any other material.
Beyond its looks, mohair is also very warm — even though the strands are thin and light. You can knit a winter shawl from a thin mohair yarn and it will be as warm as one made from a thick yarn.
It also has a natural, silky sheen that makes colours look more vivid and deeper than on ordinary wool.
Mohair with silk — the favourite combination of recent years
Many makers combine mohair with natural silk — the result is an even finer, more lustrous yarn with superb drape.
Tynn Silk Mohair by Sandnes Garn is exactly this type of yarn. It is thin, delicate and turns any simple project into something truly special.
A few practical tips
Mohair can seem intimidating at first — the yarn is fine, and mistakes are hard to undo. A few things that help:
- Work with needles slightly larger than the label suggests — mohair needs room
- Use good light — the fluffy effect can hide your stitches
- If you want a more structured result, combine mohair with another, thicker yarn — the result is something truly special
Pearl Mohair — for those who love colour
If you want mohair with personality, Pearl Mohair by Majo Garn is an excellent choice. Majo yarns are known for their colours — deep, saturated shades that look unlike any other brand.
Pearl Mohair is also easier to work with than very thin yarns, so it is a good option if you are new to mohair.
Once you knit with mohair, it is hard to go back to anything else. It is one of those materials that make the process as enjoyable as the finished result.
