Coming from someone who owns both alpacas and angora goats, I can tell you that my animals are spoiled rotten and we take great pains to make sure that we shear with the stress and well being of the animals in mind.
I think this is wonderful and I don’t doubt it one bit. Folks like you who raise animals for their fleece, value their animals greatly, as far more than just producers of fiber. I think this fact ought to be communicated more so folks know that these instances of animal mistreatment are most often contained within the mass production market and even so, just is not the norm.
I put my energy into avoiding petroleum derived products as much as possible. I don't always have the additional energy to research the ethical nature of the animal products I use instead (eg wool and mohair) so it's really nice to hear more details from you about this. I am also very pro leather, specifically vintage and indigenous derived leather. It just lasts so much longer and isn't literal plastic, though there are some great strides being made in fruit and vegetable leathers that are very intriguing.
I read that alot of fashion houses banned the use of angora rabbit fibre because some videos came out with the bunnies being harmed and slaughtered. We are going to get an angora bunny soon and most breeds naturally blow their coats twice a year, like dogs. The blown coat is often removed by combing alone and they are very used to it because they get matted and have poor mobility issues if not regularly combed. A couple of breeds grow a continuous coat and are sheared with grooming shears or scissors up to 4 times per year to avoid matting issues. Even though they often live outside, the bunnies are rather spoiled with once a week grooming sessions etc. We all know of bad animal husbandry practice stories out there. However, there are lots of great owners too.
Knitting for Olive is using Cruelty free silk for their mohair and the rest of their yarn is also cruelty free. They have the RAF Certification. You can read about it in their “About” section
I think its also important to remember that many of these animals were bred specifically for the fiber, and therefore need to be sheared. Their hair grows much longer and thicker than that of animals not bred for fiber. There is definitely an argument for the way the animals are treated when the fiber is harvested, but in many cases, its also cruel to not shear them as the hair will mat and can grow mold/fungus/maggots, causing health issues for the animal. So the options are 1) don't breed them at all or 2) breed/raise them responsibly and shear them.
I had friends with alpacas that were rescued and they were close to developing health problems because the previous owner didn’t shear them often enough.
I raise Lincoln Longwools in Canada. The quality of their wool is directly related to the quality of their care including handling, nutrition,housing , fresh air, sunshine, water, outdoor shade, free from fear of predators.
I love this format! Regarding mohair mixed with nylon: the problem is that at the end of life of the garment, that nylon won't decompose together with other fibers. It'll slowly fall apart into microplastics, ready to pollute the environment. And if such distant future seems too abstract, think about the production of nylon and how much impact it has on the environment. I'd rather forgo mohair completely if I can't afford a plastic-free version.
This was a great chat! The icecapades comment had me rolling! 🤣 Props for dipping your toe into the ethics conversation. I think you walked a good line of ethics and common sense. It’s probably already been mentioned, but, 774 comments is a lot to wade through… so in case no one’s mentioned it … knitting for olive uses Bourette silk and has this to say on their website: “Our Pure Silk is made of 100 % bourette silk. Bourette silk is made of silk waste created during silk processing. The short, leftover silk fibers are spun into a new yarn. It has a rustic and uneven look and is less shiny than other types of silk. This is the perfect yarn for summer tops and summer dresses, but it will also make a luxurious sweater combined with our Soft Silk Mohair.” I haven’t used it yet, but I don’t believe they’re the only company that uses the bourette Silk … so options are out there. Budget ones and less budget ones. 😉 Love these Q videos. 😊 Thanks, Tayler!
Thank you for this! It was extremely helpful as a vegan who has conflicted feelings about all the animal fibers available. I hadn't considered small business vs fast fashion, so thank you for that perspective. I'm on a limited yarn budget, so I will think more about what I want to use for what projects. I love this format, too. I love deep-dives.
I struggle with this too. I only use plant based and synthetic fibers, which I realize are problematic too. It's also harder to find hand dyed non animal based yarns .
I'm vegan and I have this problem too! My altrnatives are (apart from plant based fibers) 1. recycled wool. There are a few brands that offer recycled wool, in different percentages, but sometimes even 100%, my favourite is Tweed Recycled by Sandnes Garn, not many colours but really nice fabric. 2. Harvest the yarn from nice second hand jumpers. This is quite a long process, but very rewording!
I am so glad that you take the time and explain things whether it is yarns, patterns, processes, just anything that gets knitters a better idea of the craft. Thanks!
Paton’s is an Australian company. They don’t answer questions about museling, cutting the flesh around sheep tails to combat insect infestation-it’s painful and prone to infection. Fiber users should email and let them know that it is not acceptable. It’s limited mostly to Australia because other countries do not have the bug issue. It has been outlawed in New Zealand.
Patons is processed by Wangaratta Woolen Mills. They would be the ones to contact regarding mulesing and fly strike prevention. Other than that, Patons is owned by Yarnspirations and I doubt they would have much to offer on that front. Here’s the website for the Woolen Mill: wangarattawoollenmills.com.au/contact-us/
Yes! This is exactly why I asked the Q last week that Taylor addressed today. I was more concerned about hurting the animal to collect the mohair than I was about using an animal-derived product. I do not want to contribute to anything that hurts an animal. When I researched museling I was horrified. Poor animals. What I read about mohair seemed to suggest indirectly that it was harmful to collect from the animal. I will keep my eyes open for anything that causes an animal pain. If, of course, something is a byproduct of the meat industry then that’s at least not causing long term pain and people do eat the meat. So much to consider, and thanks for raising this point. ❤
Yes, mulesing - the removal of strips of wool bearing skin from the buttocks of sheep (or goats) is a concern of mine also. I would think that, as Tayler mentioned, those who own sheep and goats love and take good care of their animals because it is their livelihood, and this could be an issue with industrial manufacturers or producers of wool. However, I wish they would cease that practice too.
Considering ethical issues we need to balance treatment of animals vs environmental issues related to production of synthetic fibers which contaminate the environment, especially nylon which is a plastic base fiber. Strength derived from a natural fiber (like mohair, berette silk (silk worms are allowed to exit the cocoon) if ethically produced is better overall than synthetic fiber contamination.
I totally agree with this! I eat mostly plant based but I still knit with mostly animal fibers because of this. for me personally, I'd rather use a product made from sheep or goats grazing on low-impact land than one made from plastic. but I understand people's reservations and I'm glad there are options for people
Your comments on the ethics of fiber and recycled yarns were excellent. Love how smart you are! I suppose finding a local farm that uses a local mill or sells their own fiber would be the most secure way to avoid supporting animal mistreatment.
Hi, a note on using mohair for cables. I recall @MelMakesStuff using mohair with cables. She used a colour that was significantly darker than the main colour and it had the effect of really making the cables stand out. Just a thought that adds even more confusion. I've so enjoyed these two videos. Deep yarn geekiness!
Ooo I like that idea and I can see that being the case. Thank you for mentioning that. I need to explore the idea of using mohair with cables a bit further.
I support sheep in general, they allow non-arable land to become productive. Especially up in the highlands of Scotland! Sheep everywhere, they roam free and seem to have a fab life.
If you're looking for a silk free kind of surri alpaca yarn, alpakka lin by rauma is a kind of surri that is blended with a strand of linen, it's so soft and strong and sheds much less than silk blends I have used.
Another concern about silk is that it is industry standard that they harvest the silk by boiling the worms to leave longer strands. I only know of one supplier that waits for the silk moths to hatch; Knitting for Olive, used in their mohair/silk. I am wondering if any other yarn companies do this?
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS I'd love this as I was very confused when I read the term "Mulberry Silk." I honestly thought it was a plant based alternative to typical silk worm/moth silk. I thought they did something with the fibers of the Mulberry bush (like they do with bamboo to make viscose) to create something that was similar to silk. I didn't realize it was because the worms/moths fed on mulberry leaves. It wasn't until you answered the question about silk alternatives in this video that I googled it. I'd be very interested in a "What is Mulberry Silk?" ramble!
Hi Tayler! Always love your videos. Just wanted to note re: the second question about knitting with mohair alone, not all mohair is lace weight. I knit the Kinikin cardigan (thank you for the pattern recommendation - love it - made two!) with the suggested yarn, Loopy Mango’s Mohair So Soft, which is 47% super kid mohair/53% extra fine merino and considered a bulky weight yarn - held single. Turned out beautifully-lightweight, open fabric, with just enough warmth for cooler days in central California
Yes! Great point to make. I think I'm so used to using the word 'mohair' to mean Kid Mohair/Silk yarn bases that I forget that it could also be used to represent the heavier varieties. 🥴
Another thing to keep in mind is that not all mohair is created equal. 75% mohair/25% silk will be “hairier” than one that is 70%/30%, so to get a less fuzzy, more defined stitch pattern (such as the cable sweater you showed first), choose a mohair with a higher silk content. Loving this mohair deep dive! Thanks for another great episode!
Australia uses muesling the Portuguese do not. The Navajo seem to have a close relationship with their sheep. Their sheep are almost like family I think.
I recently learned about a company called Peace Fleece Fibers. They use Navajo Rambouillet in their yarn. The whole story about this company is fascinating. I'm itching to get my hands on some of their yarn!
To add to the ethical mohair topic, you can also visit farms and see how the animals are treated (some of them also have videos/vlogs). My friend worked on a government project analysing data about sheep farms, and found that there are many ethical smaller farms with healthy animals and sustainable practices. It's definitely possible to buy yarn and know the full supply chain.
To folks who want to knit with only mohair - Don't be afraid, jump in and try it! I knit the plumetis by Pompom Magazine which is entirely mohair aside from the collar, cuffs, and hem, and (this will depend on your specific mohair) working up the lace and tinking was actually not so much a problem, as long as you have plenty of patience. I would recommend tinking back stitch by stitch rather than pulling and ripping quickly, as this usually causes the fibers to catch and become a mess very quickly. A tip given to me, though I haven't needed it yet, was that you can put your piece in the freezer to help reduce the stickiness of the halo and make frogging easier. Have fun and good luck! :)
I really appreciate your take on the ethical aspect of using mohair yarn. I concur that the clothing industry in general, is more likely to be representative of the concerns over harvesting the mohair. While I have decided not to knit with mohair, I’m comforted by this new point of view. Thanks.
Absolutely love these type of videos!! I watch CZcams on my tv so often don’t read the comments and there is so much wisdom there so I really appreciate you including everyone in the comment conversations with these type of videos. Please keep them coming ❤
You are on fire Taylor!!!sharing so much with us is so fantastic for us that we have so many questions about Thank you 🙏 thank you for being so helpful with all you knowledge I’m making a sweater soon and adding for first time mohair and excited 😊 You are such a sweetheart I think I speak for many 😊🥰
Taylor, Thank you for being a super researcher.... You save folks so much leg work especially if they use knitting as a stress reliever and/or a hobby. I really like when you give your findings, but also include your sources. Chances are that there may be other topics by this source that might just interest me to delve into. Keep us the mid-week rambles to generate questions, which also give you subject matter for in-depth additional information that you know has interest for your audience. Have a good w/e.
Thanks for this great deeper dive into mohair. This year’s resolution is to knit up my stash - and I am finding that by pairing some things with mohair, I can - oh, this is unethical - “kill two birds with one stone.” I’m using up yarn. Plus it’s really three birds, because I get this wonderful end-product. One thing I will say: if you do make a mistake when knitting with just mohair, it’s really visible. Sometimes other kinds of knitting is forgiving - say lace, when, if you need an increase and are clever, you can hide a YO. About 3 years ago I knitted a long rectangle in just kidsilk haze. Oh so beautiful, light and warm. But it was just garter stitch…very fine…and I twisted one of the stitches. You can see it. I have left it there to keep humble. Plus, whenever I wear this simple shawl, I move around in it and figure people won’t be scouting out for other people’s mistakes. I really need to move on if I’m going to knit up all this stash. Xx
Such a fascinating discussion! Thank you for your common sense advice about working with mohair. In addition to using sharp pointed needles, I would recommend to stay away from metal needles, too. I find it behaves better on needles with a bit of drag, like bamboo or even acrylic. And about mohair felting - you are probably right that the lack of scales in the fibre means it won’t felt. But it CAN shrink! I made a gorgeous Amiga cardi out of Louet Kidlin (mohair and linen, rather than mohair and silk), and foolishly put it into my machine on the delicate cycle. It came out just about big enough for my daughter’s American Girl doll. 😩😩😩
Thank you so much for the in-depth episode! I love the midweek rambles :) I learned a lot and it is always so relaxing to listen to your videos. Thank you also for addressing the point that not everyone would choose to avoid using animal products/fibres and stick to plant-based or artificial fibres instead. This is a bit off-topic, so delete if undesired, but I was absolutely infuriated recently when I saw a polyester (or acrylic, not sure anymore) knitted dress listed as "vegan wool" and only when you looked at the materials did it become clear that it was plastic, which in my opinion (just an opinion) is worse for nature and by extension animals.
I appreciate you. Thank you so much for watching and I’m so glad that you enjoy these videos. And for what it’s worth, I totally feel you on the second part.
Thank you so much for this video! Washability is important for me, and the biggest reason I haven’t ever tried mohair is because I was worried about completely compromising the easy care provided by superwash yarns. This was super informative, and you’ve reassured me enough to give it a go!
Did you know that Texas is the 2nd largest producer of mohair in the world?! 1st is South Africa. Texas is the largest producer in the USA ! Go Texas. Loved this video!
for the first question, i actually don't totally agree. i'd say it depends a LOT on how thick your _base_ yarn is, the yarn that you're holding with the mohair. a thin yarn, like lace, sport, or fingering weight, will be more overpowered by mohair (because there will be a more similar wool to mohair ratio) and thus will prevent cables from showing up well, but the same is not true for a heavier base yarn. holding a DK, worsted, or larger weight of yarn with a single strand of mohair will give it a much subtler halo which will not put the cables at risk of being lost. if you hold 2 or more strands with your base yarn though, that's a slightly different case. as is the case with most potential fiber combos, it's always best to swatch first to see how your combination works and if you like it.
I made a dodo blending materials so now I don't know how to wash it. It's one strain of silk mohair and one strain of 50/50 superwash merino and cotton. Didn't think before but I love the sweater so I want it to last!
I can never wear wool or even acrylic directly on skin, I need my cotton layer underneath, otherwise it's uncomfortable XD... Loved the episode, I accidentally learnt a lot on superwash wool and I'm using it for a project without anything else and I think I'll stay on the smaller size side as to compensate the stretch (it's 75% superwash wool and 25% polyamide).
LOVE these informational, question answering videos !!! THANK YOU ! .... I noticed the spinning wheel too ...... and I love your hanging Christmassy lights ....
I do like topics like these with answers to questions. I am working on my first suri plus fingering weight superwash merino sweater, and I have done one mohair plus another yarn sweater in the past. One thing I noticed (besides how very soft the suri is) is that just like other alpaca yarns, suri has a tendency to shed while you're working with it.
Yes! Suri certainly does shed. And there’s really nothing to be done besides keeping a lint roller handy. 😅 Fortunately it doesn’t seem to shed as much when you wear it. Thank you so much for watching Aileen. ❤️
Thanks for answering my question about Mohair and sock yarn. I have a varigated blue and a mohair in blues, greens and purple. Those yarns will become my Northern Lights socks. Hopefully by May. Have other projects to finish first.
I LOVE your presentations!!! Yours is quite different from most in that you move right along as you describe things; time flies and I find I like to go back and re-listen. AND yours is full of pertinent content! I do like that you really enjoy digging up answers to questions.
I can suppose they get the cocoons and the cocoons will have a hole, so they obtain shorter strands to make the yarn than when they get it before the moths emerge...
@costanzabonelli6579 yes, that's the 'draw back' of ethically sourced silk. I think silk harvested after is just as good. I try to look for that honestly.
Thank you so much for all of the information! This was exceptionally helpful, and I really appreciate that you took the time to and answer so many questions, including mine. I always look forward to learning more from you. Have a lovely day!
Thank you! My mum is keen on mohair and I found some at a thrift store (500g for $5). It felt like fairy floss made from sand and was awful. Because of this experience I never understood why people would want it in a garment. Thanks for the explanation and education.
I love your videos Tayler. You are always so informative and I have many of them bookmarked so I can go back to them. It seems like every time I have a question you cover it. It's almost like you are reading my mind! Thanks so much for your videos.
Hi Tayler. Great video! I really enjoy this type of format and today’s episode was very informative. Thanks for answering all these great questions. 😊🤗
I can definitely second the suggestion to use a lifeline with all-mohair wool! Lots of great information here! This will be a great post to return to when you need a reminder about mohair/suri. Thanks for sharing, Tayler!
Thank you... you answered my interrogation as if mohair could felt... In fact, I was convinced it would react differently. Your explanation was clear and surprising.. mohair does all the opposite of what I tought. Great video!
Hello, thank you for posting another video! Is it possible to turn on the subtitle function? I'm not sure if this is a simple or complicated request, but I thought I would ask. Thank you for considering!
This information comes at a right time, I've started working with superwash yarn and was wondering whether or not, and how, I should experiment with a strand of mohair to add that magic floof... I was worried that it would cancel the washability element and do weird things in the wash... I'll gauge to make extra sure anyway, but this gives me a bit more confidence that I'm not 100% going to waste material or money doing that.
I don’t like fluffy yarn, (some woolen spuns are too fluffy for me) but I like mohair in woven cloth ! It gives it a nice structure and durability and sort of satin sheen. It’s a very nice effect especially on dark fabrics.
Thank you for answering all the questions I did not know I had 😊. This was extremely informative and will help me make informed decisions when buying yarn! Thank you!
Thanks for answering all these questions! I have another mohair question 😂 what does mohair do when paired with yarns that have a tendency to pull? I have some beautiful yarn that pills a bunch, but I was wondering if mohair would make it more wearable?
I made my first sweater in Vanna's Choice (mostly for budget reasons). Even though I couldn't block it, I love it, just need to wear a tank top or camisole under since my skin doesn't like acrylic lol. It also gets softer with every wash. I make baby stuff in Willow Yarns Wash, a bulky yarn. It's super soft, and also washable
My pleasure and great question! It certainly is stable on its own, however it can also be quite slippery and lacks elasticity compared to other fibers. Often it’s blended with other fibers such as wool or silk to improve its handling properties, increase elasticity, and enhance the overall performance of the yarn. Blending mohair with other fibers can also alter its texture, softening it or adding warmth depending on the desired outcome. I think it’s a medium of sorts that adds a great deal to a yarn, but isn’t as usable on its own for most knitting or crochet applications.
Thanks for this great informative video! You mentioned durability when pairing with superwash wool. I want to mention that even paired with untreated wool, pairing with mohair adds durability and strength in fabric, meaning less lint and pilling! Is that just my experience or is that normal? I mentioned this is the previous video and also the difference in softness in different mohair. Thanks for mentioning 😊
Could you explain the concept of a "sweater's quantity of yarn"? I know it seems self-explanatory but as a new knitter I'm trying to figure out if its a certain weight or yardage or number of skeins, what is it in different yarn weights, etc.
What you need for a sweater, sometimes in a medium size, sometimes in the person’s size, depending on the speakers. For a sweater it’s usually somewhere between 800 for a very lacey light fingering garment in a small size, to maybe 4000 or more for a big size (3-4 XL maybe ? Unsure) heavily cabled, slightly oversized worsted sweater. So 5-6 50g balls to…more than 30 ? There are reddit threads about this, if you want to check them out :)
This is a great question. I use this term to mean any amount of yarn a single person would need to knit themselves a sweater, generally speaking. This is obviously very individual, but the point is to emphasize a larger amount of one particular yarn.
Thank you! The neckline here is wider than all of my other Felixes and I think that's because of the yarn I used to knit and the gauge I knit to. Everything is just wider. It's ok for this as I typically wear it as a throw-over sweater and not as a real pullover like my others, but it's certainly wider than I would want moving forward.
I just finished and blocked a plain stockinette cardigan. I used DK super wash with mohair-silk . The finished product weighs a TON … AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. When i put it on i feel like the cardigan is bottom heavy … its heavy but not all over warm cuddly … it’s like wearing a fishing weight .. or “weighted garment “ 🤮. I have a sock yarn with silk mohair project in my queue , but having my doubts now . I wish the sweater was a blanket now .. feels like it would be a great cuddly heavy throw … but not something to wear .
This is a great question. I actually asked my husband the other day if he would wear a sweater knit with a strand of Mohair and he was into it. And he’s very “masculine” and burly. 😂
I find it completely unbelievable that there is NO ethically sourced mohair, meaning there are NO farmers who treat their goats with love and care. I don't understand how people can even make that claim.
Well it’s unbelievable because it’s not true. And the person who was asking this question was just as confused I’d think at the thought that this could be a notion. There are some who believe that any use of animals for profit is considered exploitation and is unethical. I simply do not share this view within most contexts.
Not sure what that particular viewer was googling but I can definitely vary in results depending on if you're talking about the MOHAIR GOAT or the silk moths, or both. Cruelty free silk is a whole separate discussion. Tayler, I know you also did a review of the knitting for olive book and I'll have to go look at mine more closely, but I know they had a big section on their ethics in the front and have posted about cruelty free at least in regards to the silk aspect too
Today, I'm addressing questions that came up in last week's Midweek Ramble episode. Enjoy! ❤
To frog mohair, put it in the freezer for awhile. It will freeze the fibers and the will give easily!
So cool to know. Thank you!
That's what I do and it works.
Wow... what tip. Thanks
Coming from someone who owns both alpacas and angora goats, I can tell you that my animals are spoiled rotten and we take great pains to make sure that we shear with the stress and well being of the animals in mind.
I think this is wonderful and I don’t doubt it one bit. Folks like you who raise animals for their fleece, value their animals greatly, as far more than just producers of fiber. I think this fact ought to be communicated more so folks know that these instances of animal mistreatment are most often contained within the mass production market and even so, just is not the norm.
I put my energy into avoiding petroleum derived products as much as possible. I don't always have the additional energy to research the ethical nature of the animal products I use instead (eg wool and mohair) so it's really nice to hear more details from you about this. I am also very pro leather, specifically vintage and indigenous derived leather. It just lasts so much longer and isn't literal plastic, though there are some great strides being made in fruit and vegetable leathers that are very intriguing.
I think this is such a balanced approach. And I feel very much the same as you about leather. ❤️
I read that alot of fashion houses banned the use of angora rabbit fibre because some videos came out with the bunnies being harmed and slaughtered. We are going to get an angora bunny soon and most breeds naturally blow their coats twice a year, like dogs. The blown coat is often removed by combing alone and they are very used to it because they get matted and have poor mobility issues if not regularly combed. A couple of breeds grow a continuous coat and are sheared with grooming shears or scissors up to 4 times per year to avoid matting issues. Even though they often live outside, the bunnies are rather spoiled with once a week grooming sessions etc.
We all know of bad animal husbandry practice stories out there. However, there are lots of great owners too.
Knitting for Olive is using Cruelty free silk for their mohair and the rest of their yarn is also cruelty free. They have the RAF Certification. You can read about it in their “About” section
I think its also important to remember that many of these animals were bred specifically for the fiber, and therefore need to be sheared. Their hair grows much longer and thicker than that of animals not bred for fiber. There is definitely an argument for the way the animals are treated when the fiber is harvested, but in many cases, its also cruel to not shear them as the hair will mat and can grow mold/fungus/maggots, causing health issues for the animal. So the options are 1) don't breed them at all or 2) breed/raise them responsibly and shear them.
I had friends with alpacas that were rescued and they were close to developing health problems because the previous owner didn’t shear them often enough.
I raise Lincoln Longwools in Canada. The quality of their wool is directly related to the quality of their care including handling, nutrition,housing , fresh air, sunshine, water, outdoor shade, free from fear of predators.
I love this format! Regarding mohair mixed with nylon: the problem is that at the end of life of the garment, that nylon won't decompose together with other fibers. It'll slowly fall apart into microplastics, ready to pollute the environment. And if such distant future seems too abstract, think about the production of nylon and how much impact it has on the environment. I'd rather forgo mohair completely if I can't afford a plastic-free version.
The Knitting For Olive book that was recently released explains where they get their fibers. It’s quite in depth and very informative!
Thank you! I will get it. ❤
This was a great chat! The icecapades comment had me rolling! 🤣
Props for dipping your toe into the ethics conversation. I think you walked a good line of ethics and common sense.
It’s probably already been mentioned, but, 774 comments is a lot to wade through… so in case no one’s mentioned it … knitting for olive uses Bourette silk and has this to say on their website:
“Our Pure Silk is made of 100 % bourette silk. Bourette silk is made of silk waste created during silk processing. The short, leftover silk fibers are spun into a new yarn. It has a rustic and uneven look and is less shiny than other types of silk. This is the perfect yarn for summer tops and summer dresses, but it will also make a luxurious sweater combined with our Soft Silk Mohair.”
I haven’t used it yet, but I don’t believe they’re the only company that uses the bourette Silk … so options are out there. Budget ones and less budget ones. 😉
Love these Q videos. 😊 Thanks, Tayler!
Thank you for this! It was extremely helpful as a vegan who has conflicted feelings about all the animal fibers available. I hadn't considered small business vs fast fashion, so thank you for that perspective. I'm on a limited yarn budget, so I will think more about what I want to use for what projects.
I love this format, too. I love deep-dives.
I struggle with this too. I only use plant based and synthetic fibers, which I realize are problematic too. It's also harder to find hand dyed non animal based yarns .
I'm vegan and I have this problem too! My altrnatives are (apart from plant based fibers) 1. recycled wool. There are a few brands that offer recycled wool, in different percentages, but sometimes even 100%, my favourite is Tweed Recycled by Sandnes Garn, not many colours but really nice fabric. 2. Harvest the yarn from nice second hand jumpers. This is quite a long process, but very rewording!
I am so glad that you take the time and explain things whether it is yarns, patterns, processes, just anything that gets knitters a better idea of the craft. Thanks!
It’s my pleasure Kelly! I so enjoy doing it!
Paton’s is an Australian company. They don’t answer questions about museling, cutting the flesh around sheep tails to combat insect infestation-it’s painful and prone to infection. Fiber users should email and let them know that it is not acceptable. It’s limited mostly to Australia because other countries do not have the bug issue. It has been outlawed in New Zealand.
Patons is processed by Wangaratta Woolen Mills. They would be the ones to contact regarding mulesing and fly strike prevention. Other than that, Patons is owned by Yarnspirations and I doubt they would have much to offer on that front. Here’s the website for the Woolen Mill: wangarattawoollenmills.com.au/contact-us/
Yes! This is exactly why I asked the Q last week that Taylor addressed today. I was more concerned about hurting the animal to collect the mohair than I was about using an animal-derived product. I do not want to contribute to anything that hurts an animal. When I researched museling I was horrified. Poor animals. What I read about mohair seemed to suggest indirectly that it was harmful to collect from the animal. I will keep my eyes open for anything that causes an animal pain. If, of course, something is a byproduct of the meat industry then that’s at least not causing long term pain and people do eat the meat. So much to consider, and thanks for raising this point. ❤
Yes, mulesing - the removal of strips of wool bearing skin from the buttocks of sheep (or goats) is a concern of mine also. I would think that, as Tayler mentioned, those who own sheep and goats love and take good care of their animals because it is their livelihood, and this could be an issue with industrial manufacturers or producers of wool. However, I wish they would cease that practice too.
Considering ethical issues we need to balance treatment of animals vs environmental issues related to production of synthetic fibers which contaminate the environment, especially nylon which is a plastic base fiber. Strength derived from a natural fiber (like mohair, berette silk (silk worms are allowed to exit the cocoon) if ethically produced is better overall than synthetic fiber contamination.
Yes. I absolutely agree. There is a great deal to consider and it is not cut and dry.
I totally agree with this! I eat mostly plant based but I still knit with mostly animal fibers because of this. for me personally, I'd rather use a product made from sheep or goats grazing on low-impact land than one made from plastic. but I understand people's reservations and I'm glad there are options for people
knitting for olive has cruelty free silk in their silk mohair! i use it for my friends who are vegetarian
Your comments on the ethics of fiber and recycled yarns were excellent. Love how smart you are! I suppose finding a local farm that uses a local mill or sells their own fiber would be the most secure way to avoid supporting animal mistreatment.
I love the superwash wool / mohair Indoorsy Socks ❤ I'm currently knitting my 7th pair 😅
Being bprn and bred in the West Country of the UK it would be mis treatment of an animal if it wasn't sheared
100%.
I would say subject that I am always wanting to learn more about and you briefly touched on. It is cashmere and cashmere yarn. That’s my vote.
I’m with you! A deep dive will be coming soon.
There are ethical silk companies. It isn’t as long and shiny- but they wait for the cocoon to hatch first and then unwind it .
Hi, a note on using mohair for cables. I recall @MelMakesStuff using mohair with cables. She used a colour that was significantly darker than the main colour and it had the effect of really making the cables stand out. Just a thought that adds even more confusion. I've so enjoyed these two videos. Deep yarn geekiness!
Ooo I like that idea and I can see that being the case. Thank you for mentioning that. I need to explore the idea of using mohair with cables a bit further.
I’m knitting a cardigan right now using mohair. I started it in 2023 lol maybe it’ll be done before 2025 😅
I support sheep in general, they allow non-arable land to become productive. Especially up in the highlands of Scotland! Sheep everywhere, they roam free and seem to have a fab life.
Yes. 100% team sheep. 🐑🐑
If you're looking for a silk free kind of surri alpaca yarn, alpakka lin by rauma is a kind of surri that is blended with a strand of linen, it's so soft and strong and sheds much less than silk blends I have used.
Oo! Thanks for the recommendation! ❤
Another concern about silk is that it is industry standard that they harvest the silk by boiling the worms to leave longer strands. I only know of one supplier that waits for the silk moths to hatch; Knitting for Olive, used in their mohair/silk. I am wondering if any other yarn companies do this?
There’s a lot to unpack here and it’s really not very cut and dry. I’d like to explore this one further in a future video as well.
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS I'd love this as I was very confused when I read the term "Mulberry Silk." I honestly thought it was a plant based alternative to typical silk worm/moth silk. I thought they did something with the fibers of the Mulberry bush (like they do with bamboo to make viscose) to create something that was similar to silk. I didn't realize it was because the worms/moths fed on mulberry leaves. It wasn't until you answered the question about silk alternatives in this video that I googled it. I'd be very interested in a "What is Mulberry Silk?" ramble!
Hi Tayler! Always love your videos. Just wanted to note re: the second question about knitting with mohair alone, not all mohair is lace weight. I knit the Kinikin cardigan (thank you for the pattern recommendation - love it - made two!) with the suggested yarn, Loopy Mango’s Mohair So Soft, which is 47% super kid mohair/53% extra fine merino and considered a bulky weight yarn - held single. Turned out beautifully-lightweight, open fabric, with just enough warmth for cooler days in central California
Yes! Great point to make. I think I'm so used to using the word 'mohair' to mean Kid Mohair/Silk yarn bases that I forget that it could also be used to represent the heavier varieties. 🥴
Another thing to keep in mind is that not all mohair is created equal. 75% mohair/25% silk will be “hairier” than one that is 70%/30%, so to get a less fuzzy, more defined stitch pattern (such as the cable sweater you showed first), choose a mohair with a higher silk content. Loving this mohair deep dive! Thanks for another great episode!
Yes absolutely!!
Australia uses muesling the Portuguese do not. The Navajo seem to have a close relationship with their sheep. Their sheep are almost like family I think.
I recently learned about a company called Peace Fleece Fibers. They use Navajo Rambouillet in their yarn. The whole story about this company is fascinating. I'm itching to get my hands on some of their yarn!
❤❤❤
To add to the ethical mohair topic, you can also visit farms and see how the animals are treated (some of them also have videos/vlogs). My friend worked on a government project analysing data about sheep farms, and found that there are many ethical smaller farms with healthy animals and sustainable practices. It's definitely possible to buy yarn and know the full supply chain.
To folks who want to knit with only mohair - Don't be afraid, jump in and try it! I knit the plumetis by Pompom Magazine which is entirely mohair aside from the collar, cuffs, and hem, and (this will depend on your specific mohair) working up the lace and tinking was actually not so much a problem, as long as you have plenty of patience. I would recommend tinking back stitch by stitch rather than pulling and ripping quickly, as this usually causes the fibers to catch and become a mess very quickly. A tip given to me, though I haven't needed it yet, was that you can put your piece in the freezer to help reduce the stickiness of the halo and make frogging easier. Have fun and good luck! :)
I really appreciate your take on the ethical aspect of using mohair yarn. I concur that the clothing industry in general, is more likely to be representative of the concerns over harvesting the mohair. While I have decided not to knit with mohair, I’m comforted by this new point of view. Thanks.
YES! Thank you Taylor. I really appreciate this follow up. Can’t wait to dig into this episode. 🙏🙏🙏
It’s my pleasure Christine! Thank you for the excellent question. ❤️
Eloquent delivery! You've inspired me to create some mohair socks to skate across my wood floors on weekends 🙃
Absolutely love these type of videos!! I watch CZcams on my tv so often don’t read the comments and there is so much wisdom there so I really appreciate you including everyone in the comment conversations with these type of videos. Please keep them coming ❤
You are on fire Taylor!!!sharing so much with us is so fantastic for us that we have so many questions about
Thank you 🙏 thank you for being so helpful with all you knowledge
I’m making a sweater soon and adding for first time mohair and excited 😊
You are such a sweetheart
I think I speak for many
😊🥰
You always brighten my day when I see your sweet comments Debbie. Thank you so much for the support. It means a great deal to me. ❤️
Such professional, intelligent, approachable delivery of information. Thank you so much, Taylor! Always enjoy your videos.
You are so welcome! Thank YOU for your support and kind words Yvonne. ❤️
Taylor, Thank you for being a super researcher.... You save folks so much leg work especially if they use knitting as a stress reliever and/or a hobby. I really like when you give your findings, but also include your sources. Chances are that there may be other topics by this source that might just interest me to delve into. Keep us the mid-week rambles to generate questions, which also give you subject matter for in-depth additional information that you know has interest for your audience. Have a good w/e.
I knit a cardigan for myself with wool/mohair. I'll tell you, man it's warm! I wear it in -10C weather (14F)
Another informative video. I always learn something new and I especially appreciate your comments related to ethically sourced yarn.
Thanks for this great deeper dive into mohair. This year’s resolution is to knit up my stash - and I am finding that by pairing some things with mohair, I can - oh, this is unethical - “kill two birds with one stone.” I’m using up yarn. Plus it’s really three birds, because I get this wonderful end-product.
One thing I will say: if you do make a mistake when knitting with just mohair, it’s really visible. Sometimes other kinds of knitting is forgiving - say lace, when, if you need an increase and are clever, you can hide a YO.
About 3 years ago I knitted a long rectangle in just kidsilk haze. Oh so beautiful, light and warm. But it was just garter stitch…very fine…and I twisted one of the stitches. You can see it. I have left it there to keep humble. Plus, whenever I wear this simple shawl, I move around in it and figure people won’t be scouting out for other people’s mistakes. I really need to move on if I’m going to knit up all this stash.
Xx
Such a fascinating discussion! Thank you for your common sense advice about working with mohair. In addition to using sharp pointed needles, I would recommend to stay away from metal needles, too. I find it behaves better on needles with a bit of drag, like bamboo or even acrylic. And about mohair felting - you are probably right that the lack of scales in the fibre means it won’t felt. But it CAN shrink! I made a gorgeous Amiga cardi out of Louet Kidlin (mohair and linen, rather than mohair and silk), and foolishly put it into my machine on the delicate cycle. It came out just about big enough for my daughter’s American Girl doll. 😩😩😩
Thank you so much for the in-depth episode! I love the midweek rambles :) I learned a lot and it is always so relaxing to listen to your videos. Thank you also for addressing the point that not everyone would choose to avoid using animal products/fibres and stick to plant-based or artificial fibres instead. This is a bit off-topic, so delete if undesired, but I was absolutely infuriated recently when I saw a polyester (or acrylic, not sure anymore) knitted dress listed as "vegan wool" and only when you looked at the materials did it become clear that it was plastic, which in my opinion (just an opinion) is worse for nature and by extension animals.
I appreciate you. Thank you so much for watching and I’m so glad that you enjoy these videos. And for what it’s worth, I totally feel you on the second part.
Thank you so much for this video! Washability is important for me, and the biggest reason I haven’t ever tried mohair is because I was worried about completely compromising the easy care provided by superwash yarns. This was super informative, and you’ve reassured me enough to give it a go!
Did you know that Texas is the 2nd largest producer of mohair in the world?! 1st is South Africa. Texas is the largest producer in the USA ! Go Texas. Loved this video!
for the first question, i actually don't totally agree. i'd say it depends a LOT on how thick your _base_ yarn is, the yarn that you're holding with the mohair. a thin yarn, like lace, sport, or fingering weight, will be more overpowered by mohair (because there will be a more similar wool to mohair ratio) and thus will prevent cables from showing up well, but the same is not true for a heavier base yarn. holding a DK, worsted, or larger weight of yarn with a single strand of mohair will give it a much subtler halo which will not put the cables at risk of being lost. if you hold 2 or more strands with your base yarn though, that's a slightly different case. as is the case with most potential fiber combos, it's always best to swatch first to see how your combination works and if you like it.
I totally see what you mean here. Great point!
I made a dodo blending materials so now I don't know how to wash it.
It's one strain of silk mohair and one strain of 50/50 superwash merino and cotton.
Didn't think before but I love the sweater so I want it to last!
I can never wear wool or even acrylic directly on skin, I need my cotton layer underneath, otherwise it's uncomfortable XD...
Loved the episode, I accidentally learnt a lot on superwash wool and I'm using it for a project without anything else and I think I'll stay on the smaller size side as to compensate the stretch (it's 75% superwash wool and 25% polyamide).
LOVE these informational, question answering videos !!! THANK YOU ! .... I noticed the spinning wheel too ...... and I love your hanging Christmassy lights ....
I do like topics like these with answers to questions.
I am working on my first suri plus fingering weight superwash merino sweater, and I have done one mohair plus another yarn sweater in the past. One thing I noticed (besides how very soft the suri is) is that just like other alpaca yarns, suri has a tendency to shed while you're working with it.
Yes! Suri certainly does shed. And there’s really nothing to be done besides keeping a lint roller handy. 😅 Fortunately it doesn’t seem to shed as much when you wear it. Thank you so much for watching Aileen. ❤️
Thanks for answering my question about Mohair and sock yarn. I have a varigated blue and a mohair in blues, greens and purple. Those yarns will become my Northern Lights socks. Hopefully by May. Have other projects to finish first.
My pleasure! Thank you for asking. It’s a great question. ❤️
I LOVE your presentations!!! Yours is quite different from most in that you move right along as you describe things; time flies and I find I like to go back and re-listen. AND yours is full of pertinent content! I do like that you really enjoy digging up answers to questions.
It helped me to know that domesticated fiber livestock have to be shorn for their own well being.
Thanks for mentioning this! It’s important to note. ❤
Great video. Love the way you give a thoughtful informative balanced answer
Thank you for you lovely videos, I have learned so much from you and love your fire Pitt mitts!
Knitting for Olive's silk is harvested once the moths have left the cocoon. I don't know exactly how that works...
I can suppose they get the cocoons and the cocoons will have a hole, so they obtain shorter strands to make the yarn than when they get it before the moths emerge...
@costanzabonelli6579 yes, that's the 'draw back' of ethically sourced silk. I think silk harvested after is just as good. I try to look for that honestly.
Thank you so much for all of the information! This was exceptionally helpful, and I really appreciate that you took the time to and answer so many questions, including mine. I always look forward to learning more from you. Have a lovely day!
My pleasure Stacey! Thank you for watching and commenting. That means a lot. I'm so glad that this was helpful!
Thank you! My mum is keen on mohair and I found some at a thrift store (500g for $5). It felt like fairy floss made from sand and was awful. Because of this experience I never understood why people would want it in a garment. Thanks for the explanation and education.
I love your videos Tayler. You are always so informative and I have many of them bookmarked so I can go back to them. It seems like every time I have a question you cover it. It's almost like you are reading my mind! Thanks so much for your videos.
This makes my night Barbara. I’m so glad that the videos are helpful and informative for you. That’s very important to me. ❤️
I want to be surrounded by mohair at all times 🥰 it’s really boosted my knitting and inspiration. Great video!
I love the pod cast. l❤❤❤ science guy meets knitting girl
Also, mohair will absolutely felt! It will felt on the animal if you don’t get them shorn in time!!!!
I would be curious to know if it’s felting or just matting??
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDSit is felting. It starts up close to the skin.
Thanks for a very informative episode. Would love similar info about suri alpaca.
Hi Tayler. Great video! I really enjoy this type of format and today’s episode was very informative. Thanks for answering all these great questions. 😊🤗
My pleasure Thea! Thank you so much for watching. ❤️
You’re very welcome!💗
Excellent topic and coverage! Thanks 🙏🏻
Thank you. This was very interesting. Not crazy about using mohair as I find it itchy and irritating. That's just me though❤
I can definitely second the suggestion to use a lifeline with all-mohair wool! Lots of great information here! This will be a great post to return to when you need a reminder about mohair/suri. Thanks for sharing, Tayler!
I love this format as well....please continue! :)
Thank you... you answered my interrogation as if mohair could felt... In fact, I was convinced it would react differently. Your explanation was clear and surprising.. mohair does all the opposite of what I tought. Great video!
Hello, thank you for posting another video! Is it possible to turn on the subtitle function? I'm not sure if this is a simple or complicated request, but I thought I would ask. Thank you for considering!
Hi there! Thank you for watching! All of my videos have captions enabled . You just need to tap on the CC icon in the corner of the video window. 👍
Thank you! it wasn't working before, but now it is. :).
@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS
This information comes at a right time, I've started working with superwash yarn and was wondering whether or not, and how, I should experiment with a strand of mohair to add that magic floof... I was worried that it would cancel the washability element and do weird things in the wash... I'll gauge to make extra sure anyway, but this gives me a bit more confidence that I'm not 100% going to waste material or money doing that.
I was wondering the same thing for the same reason!
I don’t like fluffy yarn, (some woolen spuns are too fluffy for me) but I like mohair in woven cloth ! It gives it a nice structure and durability and sort of satin sheen. It’s a very nice effect especially on dark fabrics.
You’re doing such a great job Bec. Keep going with your CZcams channel. I really enjoy watching and catching up with what you’re up to.
Very interesting…I had no idea there were different kinds of mohair! 🫣🫢
Thank you for answering my question! And for another lovely episode.
Thank you for answering all the questions I did not know I had 😊. This was extremely informative and will help me make informed decisions when buying yarn! Thank you!
Love this indepth discussion. Appreciate all the research you do.
I love this format Tayler. I have found both of these topics so interesting. ❤
I love your sweater today! Thanks for telling us more about it.
My pleasure Jeanne! Thank you!
Thanks for answering all these questions! I have another mohair question 😂 what does mohair do when paired with yarns that have a tendency to pull? I have some beautiful yarn that pills a bunch, but I was wondering if mohair would make it more wearable?
Hi Katelyn! Mohair does a wonderful job of keeping things from pilling. It’s a great way to mitigate that issue. 👍❤️
I learn so much from your videos, thank you.
That means a lot. And it’s my pleasure. ❤️
Thank you! Always so great & so valuable.
“Sheds light on” love the accidental puns 😂
Ah man, I didn’t catch that! That’s a good one. 😅
Great info and very well presented. Thank you for this very useful information!! ❤
Is there an acrylic substitute to wool you’d recommend? I’m allergic to wool and have been thinking about knitting but don’t know where to start.
I made my first sweater in Vanna's Choice (mostly for budget reasons). Even though I couldn't block it, I love it, just need to wear a tank top or camisole under since my skin doesn't like acrylic lol. It also gets softer with every wash. I make baby stuff in Willow Yarns Wash, a bulky yarn. It's super soft, and also washable
Thanks so much for the info and insight!
You bet! Glad it was helpful!
Love your tips and information!
Love this video. Thank you so much. Why is mohair usually blended with something else like silk, nylon etc.? Is it not stable on its own?
My pleasure and great question! It certainly is stable on its own, however it can also be quite slippery and lacks elasticity compared to other fibers. Often it’s blended with other fibers such as wool or silk to improve its handling properties, increase elasticity, and enhance the overall performance of the yarn. Blending mohair with other fibers can also alter its texture, softening it or adding warmth depending on the desired outcome. I think it’s a medium of sorts that adds a great deal to a yarn, but isn’t as usable on its own for most knitting or crochet applications.
Thanks for this great informative video! You mentioned durability when pairing with superwash wool.
I want to mention that even paired with untreated wool, pairing with mohair adds durability and strength in fabric, meaning less lint and pilling! Is that just my experience or is that normal?
I mentioned this is the previous video and also the difference in softness in different mohair. Thanks for mentioning 😊
That is absolutely normal and one of the beauties of pairing with mohair. ❤️❤️
Could you explain the concept of a "sweater's quantity of yarn"? I know it seems self-explanatory but as a new knitter I'm trying to figure out if its a certain weight or yardage or number of skeins, what is it in different yarn weights, etc.
What you need for a sweater, sometimes in a medium size, sometimes in the person’s size, depending on the speakers.
For a sweater it’s usually somewhere between 800 for a very lacey light fingering garment in a small size, to maybe 4000 or more for a big size (3-4
XL maybe ? Unsure) heavily cabled, slightly oversized worsted sweater. So 5-6 50g balls to…more than 30 ?
There are reddit threads about this, if you want to check them out :)
This is a great question. I use this term to mean any amount of yarn a single person would need to knit themselves a sweater, generally speaking. This is obviously very individual, but the point is to emphasize a larger amount of one particular yarn.
The neck of your sweater is very wide. Is that part of the pattern or your change? TY PS I never miss your videos they are just so good!
Thank you! The neckline here is wider than all of my other Felixes and I think that's because of the yarn I used to knit and the gauge I knit to. Everything is just wider. It's ok for this as I typically wear it as a throw-over sweater and not as a real pullover like my others, but it's certainly wider than I would want moving forward.
Was SO noticing that neckline too!
Wow! So Manu Nuggets!
I just finished and blocked a plain stockinette cardigan. I used DK super wash with mohair-silk . The finished product weighs a TON … AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. When i put it on i feel like the cardigan is bottom heavy … its heavy but not all over warm cuddly … it’s like wearing a fishing weight .. or “weighted garment “ 🤮. I have a sock yarn with silk mohair project in my queue , but having my doubts now .
I wish the sweater was a blanket now .. feels like it would be a great cuddly heavy throw … but not something to wear .
Please tell me where I can get the mug you are drinking from, that says " Sloth Knitter." It is definitely a mug I need!
Thank you for asking! That is actually available on the WNH merch shop over in the website. Here’s the link:
www.woolneedleshands.com/merch
I think the word stretch for superwash wool is the wrong word! It’s more that the stitches slip around in their space, which could be worse!
I understand what you mean, however I think “stretch” is a much easier concept to visualize for folks and gives them an immediate frame of reference.
I feel like the garment “loses its cohesive structure.” It’s not uniformly stretched, IOW.
Is it not necessary to shear these animals?
Any suggestions or thoughts on using a yarn or combination of yarns that would have just a touch of a halo and chic for a man's sweater ?
❤❤❤
This is a great question. I actually asked my husband the other day if he would wear a sweater knit with a strand of Mohair and he was into it. And he’s very “masculine” and burly. 😂
I’ll explore this more!
you might want to look into holst garn titicaca. it's lace weight 100% alpaca and adds a little bit of a halo but not as much as mohair.
Thank you! @@kala3765
I find it completely unbelievable that there is NO ethically sourced mohair, meaning there are NO farmers who treat their goats with love and care. I don't understand how people can even make that claim.
Well it’s unbelievable because it’s not true. And the person who was asking this question was just as confused I’d think at the thought that this could be a notion. There are some who believe that any use of animals for profit is considered exploitation and is unethical. I simply do not share this view within most contexts.
Not sure what that particular viewer was googling but I can definitely vary in results depending on if you're talking about the MOHAIR GOAT or the silk moths, or both. Cruelty free silk is a whole separate discussion.
Tayler, I know you also did a review of the knitting for olive book and I'll have to go look at mine more closely, but I know they had a big section on their ethics in the front and have posted about cruelty free at least in regards to the silk aspect too
Re: the spinning wheel in the back - Gord Lendrum is retiring, so I don’t know if you can get any new ones.
I wish I could use mohair 😢 it is just too itchy.
Quince, clothing, not yarn, is also an ethical company
I am glad to hear this as I have purchased from them.