I hope you have had a good Christmas break and have rested, crafted and enjoyed a slightly slower pace. I absolutely loved having my kids back home, slowing down, playing games and just being together. It was great. New Year's Day we went to the beach early in the morning, inhaled fresh air and took in the sunshine. Now I'm ready for the New Year, so let's go!
Today I thought I would talk about mohair. When meeting customers I am often asked for recommendations for things to make with mohair. People can be daunted by using it for a couple of reasons; the delicate nature and fineness of the yarn and memories of it being itchy when it was popular in the 80's.
Mohair is a beautiful yarn and yes, it can look scary to use, but it is also a very clever yarn using natural fibres.
My mohair base is made with 72% Kind Mohair and 28% silk. The silk is the core of the yarn which the kid mohair is spun around. Silk is the strongest natural fibre cultivated from the Bombyx moth, otherwise known as the Mulberry silk moth. As well as being the strongest natural fibre it is also the longest natural fibre - those silk worms know a thing or two about efficiency! Silk being the core of the yarn makes it a strong fibre to knit or crochet with, so don't be too afraid to use it.
The mohair "fluff" is the fleece taken from the angora goat - no relation to the angora rabbit. This is a soft and springy fibre with long hairs to trap the warmth in (imagine being a mountain goat in the Himalyas; warmth is essential) and those long hairs hold the warmth for us too, creating a super warm and strong yarn. How clever!
Mohair can be used as a single ply or held with another yarn such as a fingering weight yarn, thus creating a heavier yarn great for knitting and crocheting less lofty items.
When knitting / crocheting mohair as a single ply you can use needles / hook for the lace weight yarn at a tighter gauge (2.5-3.5mm), or jumbo needles for a really loose, light and super quick knit.
Combining a bright fingering weight with a more muted mohair will soften both the colour and the texture of the yarns. Using a neutral base and a vivid coloured mohair will create an amazing colour mix only you will achieve mixing your palette, and fun!
So mohair is strong, soft and super versatile - give it a go. I have linked some of my colourways in the photos.
Here's some ideas for you; mohair used as a single ply.
And some more ideas using mohair combined with another strand of yarn.
I have added some links in my resources below for patterns and have started a Pinterest boardtoo, for ideas to share.
The AGD 02 balaclava by Einrum
Before Chirstmas my son asked me to knit him a balaclava. I sent him straight to Ravelry like every busy mum pre-Christmas does and he picked out the AGD 02 Balaclava by Anne Grete Duvald. Using my own Padarn Tree colourway in DK, I knit this between Christmas and New Year. It's such a clever pattern with a double layer middle section for warmth. You can even roll the lower section up to make a beanie once the weather warms up. I have happily / sadly sent this balaclava up to Glasgow as promised but I may cast on another for me; perfect for post outdoor swim and dog walking. What colour would you make it in? I can't decide between pink and yellow!
Only one skein of DK is needed. You can add a contrast colour for the inner middle section which is a great pop of colour.
Don't be afraid of the balaclava, don't be put off by memories from childhood! Balaclavas, hoods and bonnets are incredibly popular now and of course, super warm. I am seeing them popping up a lot on trend watches, Instagram and Pinterest. Here's a few fab ideas for knitting and crochet. Use DK weight yarn or fingering held with mohair for super softness and warmth. I have added pattern links below and check out my Pinterest boardfor more ideas - it's a rabbit hole I know!
Your Makes!
It's been so lovely to see photos of your creations over Christmas. Look at this cutie pie and her mum who had just climbed up Mam Tor! Viv knit her granddaughter and daughter these wonderful hats using boucle in Norther Quarter and Vondlepark colourways, and with the left overs she is currently making a lovely shawl. Baby socks using my mini skein bundles by @big.knit.ebergy a gorgeous sweater in Padarn Tree DK by @sonia.teje, Boneyard Shawl by @mrsfoxpenguinsaunty in high twist four ply and a stunning Esjan Shawl by @mrg_and_bonnieb. Thank you all so much for sharing!
Market News
I will be at Chorlton Makers Market Saturday 21st January 10am - 4pm with a great selection of yarns and some newbies too. Come and say hi!
Non Yarn News
I recently visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and wanted to share with you some images from the Annie Montgomerie Hand Me Down exhibition.
Annie is a mixed media artist who creates familiar creatures which express child like emotions, often depicting her own memories of childhood. Using vintage materials, old photos and textiles Annie has created an exhibition which really stops to make you think such as memories of dirty knees and holes in thick woolly tights. Many of the animals are displayed stood on little wooded chairs which reminded me of when you were naughty in class and you had to stand on your chair for the rest of the lesson! Something I had totally forgotten about.
If you do get the chance to see the exhibition, I really recommend it. The textiles, knitted and crocheted, are beautiful and the attention to detail is amazing, and of course the sculpture park makes a great day out.
Please keep sharing photos of your creations using Mamie and Florrie yarn. It is so lovely to see what you make. Why not use the #mamieandflorrieyarn hashtag and others can get inspiration too.
