Wool and mohair are natural fibres that keep you warm and let your skin breathe — and with the right care they stay lovely for many years. Here is everything I know about choosing the right yarn, and about looking after the garment afterwards.
Part 1 – Choosing yarn · Part 2 – Care and washing
Part 1 – Choosing yarn
There are many kinds of mohair, from the finest ones like Kid Silk to thicker ones like Tjukk Mohair from Rauma. These pages will help you choose:
- Which yarn should I choose? – the difference between mohair, wool and alpaca, and what to do when you want to substitute
- How much yarn do I need? – calculator for yarn substitution
- Needles and gauge – how to knit a gauge swatch
- The yarn page – which yarns I use, and where to find them
Part 2 – Caring for and washing mohair, wool and alpaca
🌬️ 1. Air it instead of washing it
Wool and mohair are naturally self-cleaning. That means you rarely need to wash them.
- Hang the garment out to air after wearing it, preferably outdoors or in a well-ventilated room
- Avoid direct sunlight and rain – fresh air is all it takes
- Airing removes odours and freshens up the fibres without wearing them down
Hang the garment out under a roof when it rains, and the fibres get some extra help to lift again. This is especially true for mohair.
🧼 2. Gentle washing when it is needed
When washing is necessary, here is what I recommend:
- Hand wash in cold or lukewarm water, max 30 °C
- Or machine wash on the wool programme with a low spin
- Use a mild wool detergent without enzymes – ordinary detergent breaks the fibres down
Tip: use your gauge swatch as a test piece in the washing machine to try out the wool programme first. Remember to measure the swatch before you wash it. Always turn the garment inside out before washing, shake it out afterwards, and dry it flat on a towel. Some garments can also be gently stretched back into shape.
Do not leave the garment to soak – short contact with water is best.
🧺 3. Do not rub or wring – squeeze gently
- When hand washing: move the garment gently in the water, do not rub
- Rinse in cold water and press the water out with your hands
- Roll the garment in a towel and squeeze out the excess water – never wring it
🧵 4. Dry flat and ease the garment back into shape
- Lay the garment flat on a dry towel
- Gently shape it back to its original form
- Let it dry at room temperature, away from heat and direct sun
- Do not tumble dry – it can shrink and ruin the fibres
👕 5. Store it with care
- Fold the garment neatly and put it in a drawer or on a shelf – do not hang it up, it can lose its shape
- Mohair does well on wide hangers, so it does not go flat and creased
- For seasonal storage, use a sealed bag or box
- Add a lavender sachet or a cedar block to keep moths away
If the damage is already done and the garment has gone flat, hang it out to air, ideally under a roof in light rain. You can also press it very lightly on low heat under a damp cloth. Let the garment rest a little before you fold it up.
🦋 Lavender – the moth's kryptonite
Moths are pests that spread easily through a house, and they prefer to eat holes in dirty fabrics and textiles. Lavender is the moth's kryptonite, and a small lavender sachet can keep them away from your knits. Knitwear you are not wearing can be packed away in plastic.
🐐 6. Tips for mohair
Mohair is extra soft and luxurious, but also a little more delicate:
- It may shed a bit at first – this is normal and will settle down
- Use a mohair brush or a lint remover with a light hand to keep the surface neat
- Avoid friction from bags or coarse jackets that can damage the fibres
💡 Extra tips
- Creased garment? Hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower, or steam it gently with an iron on low heat with a cloth in between
- Avoid perfume, deodorant and hairspray directly on the garment – it can leave marks
- Remove stains carefully with a damp cloth and a little wool soap – never rub
♻️ A sustainable choice
By taking good care of your wool and mohair garments you extend their life and reduce the need for new clothes. That is good for your wallet and for the environment 🌿
Questions about care? Get in touch – I am happy to help with tips and advice.