I am working on a mohair scarf before making a blankie. I am using a mohair/silk blend that is 459 yds / 50g skein. This tells me it is much lighter than the 215 yds / 100 g mohair/nylon that is used in the patterns. My thought was that the weight difference was related to the silk vs. mohair. I have set my scarf at 6 epi but notice that (1) it warped on beautifully, no issues (should I be suspicious?), (2) it does not look as fuzzy as Jane's in Season 1, Episode 9 videos.
As I am weaving, I am finding that the mohair is not really 'sticking' in place. Perhaps I need practice, but maybe it is sett too wide and is too slippery. Also, I am finding that I do not need a skeletal tie up; 1/3 and 2/4 is fine.
My concern is that this blend is too fine so that when I go to take it off the loom and full it, it will be too gossamer-y and not warm blanket quality.
I wonder if others have woven with mohair/silk and found that it behaves similarly. I see three options... (1) just weave this scarf at 6 epi / 7 ppi, take it off, full it and see (some yarn loss, but better than a blanket's worth), (2) switch to an 8-dent reed because you know that this blend is too fine right from the info I've given, (3), chill out, this is how it goes. Point 3 is key - I don't know what I don't know.
Thanks,
Andrea
I was hoping that someone with experience with weaving with a mohair/silk combination would chime in with their experience. I don't have any ;-) How did it work out? I'll bet it's quite beautiful!
Hi Sandra,
Convenient timing! I decided to just do my own samples and see how it went and then update if anyone else runs into this.
I worked a short piece sett at 6 epi, woven at 6-7 ppi. This did in fact come out beautifully... it took a fair bit of effort to full it because it was a bit too open, but it did full nicely - just loose. Because I needed to work it so much though, I had to un-work/un-peel the edges and yank it into shape while I was brushing. This was fine though and there was not much shedding. While this sample is extremely gossamer-y and lovely in the mohair/silk, it is to airy for what I was hoping to achieve.
So I re-sleyed it on a 10 dent reed and am working on this. I am now doing a 1-2-3-4 skeletal tie up as per Jane's instruction as the warp threads are close enough now to be sticky. There is not too much fuzz on the reed or the heddles so that's good. I will have to keep you posted on how this one fulls - it is a 5 yard warp and I have one scarf to go. Unfortunately, having to re-sley it means that the piece is going to be quite narrow, but hopefully a long narrow scarf with this lovely texture will be appealing.
To my earlier comment, I think an 8 dent would still be too narrow for this weight of yarn, but I will post again once this next round is done. If there is a place to upload pictures that I have not yet seen, please let me know as seeing the 10-epi sample next to the 6 epi sample will probably clear it all up :)
All said, I don't think I will use this yarn for the blanket unless I used a Shetland warp and doubled up on this mohair for the weft (Lichen and Lace - mohair https://lichenandlace.com/collections/frontpage/products/beach-glass). This dyer's colours are so divine though, and I would love to use a hand dyed mohair... could you imagine a painted mohair warp?!
Cheers,
Andrea
WOW - I'm glad to learn that you have had success with that yarn combination - and would love to see a photo. Here is the information about posting photos that Ginette has put together under Resources at the top of the page. Look forward to seeing your results. https://help.schoolofweaving.tv/article/100-uploading-images