Yarn choice and care – how to look after your knits

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, the yarn label is what counts:

• Follow the care instructions on the label of the yarn the garment is knitted in
• Keep the yarn label, so you have the instructions when you need them
• Often it is enough to air the garment instead of washing it

Tip: wash your gauge swatch first, as the yarn label says. Remember to measure the swatch before you wash it.

More about care: Caring for knitwear.

🧵 3. 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
• Whether the garment can go in the tumble dryer is stated on the yarn label

👕 4. 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. If you want to use an iron, check the yarn label first. 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.

🧶 5. Save a little leftover yarn

Keep a small ball of the leftover yarn together with the yarn label when the garment is finished. If the garment gets a small hole or a loose strand, you can mend it with the same yarn in the same colour.

🐐 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. If you want to use an iron, check the yarn label first
• Avoid perfume, deodorant and hairspray directly on the garment – it can leave marks
• Remove stains carefully with a damp cloth

♻️ 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.

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