Mohair Sweater Suited For All The Seasons
The NeedleWorks’ jacket featured today is worked using a strand of a mohair blend yarn (72 percent mohair/28 percent wool) along with a strand of a coordinating wool yarn. While mohair yarn is endlessly popular, it remains a mystery to many needleworkers. It’s much easier to work with than you’d imagine and is truly a yarn for all seasons.
Mohair has wonderful insulating properties, making it warm for even the coldest days; yet because it’s a natural fiber, it’s lightweight and airy for warmer days. A shawl made with mohair or a mohair blend can be used all year long.
This versatile fiber is most often found blended with other yarns, making it even more durable. It is noted for its color-fastness and takes well to dyes. Also, extensive testing has proven mohair to be flame-resistant. It has a resilient, elastic property, and when the fiber is stretched, it will bounce back into shape.
Mohair yarn has a long and interesting history that can be traced back to biblical times. This beautiful yarn comes from the Angora goat, which is noted for its long, luxurious coat. The Angora goats were believed to have originated in the Himalayas in Asia. When they found their way to Turkey, many lived in the province of Ankara - thus, Angora goats.
The Turks closely guarded these important animals. However, in 1849 a very small number were imported to the United States. Today, Texas, the main mohair-producing region in the United States, has amassed a large number of goats that produce approximately 9 million pounds of fiber annually. Texas’ mild, dry climate is ideal for the Angora goats, as is its hilly, bushy terrain. Texas produces about 95 percent of the mohair produced in the United States and about 20 percent of the mohair produced worldwide. The two other principal sources of mohair are South Africa and Turkey.
Mohair is a quick-to-work yarn. Amazingly, while the strands of yarn often look quite thin, because of mohair’s lofty quality, it can be worked on a much larger hook or needle than you would expect.
You should care for garments made from mohair just as you would for other wools. That means hand-washing in cool water. Lay your garment to dry away from heat and out of direct sunlight. There is no need to block your piece.
You can remove fuzz and eliminate shedding by putting your finished garment in a dryer on the air fluff setting for 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t forget to clean your lint filter before and after using.
This amazing fiber is not only used as yarn for needlecrafts. You will find mohair has many uses for home decorating, such as for upholstery fabrics and draperies. Often it is used in coating and suiting fabrics. The next time you’re shopping, be sure to study the content’s label. You may just see the mohair goat stamp that signifies use of mohair yarn.
To obtain directions for making the Elegant Mohair Jacket, send your request for Leaflet No. 010796 with $2 and a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope to: The NeedleWorks, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 419148, Kansas City, MO 64141. Or you may order Kit No. 010796 by sending a check or money order for $49.95 to The NeedleWorks at the same address. Kit price includes shipping charges, full instructions and mohair yarn and worsted-weight wool in shades of natural and ash.
For kit orders only, you may call 7 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays at (800) 873-9537. xxxx THIS WEEK’S PROJECT An elegant mohair jacket is featured this week in which the mohair is combined with a wool yarn and knit on large needles. The stitches are simple and the lines are classic, so this knits up quickly and will provide you with cozy warmth all winter long.