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Mohair Alternatives: Do ANY Pass the Prickle Test?

Knicoleknits

11,514 views

Think all fuzzy yarns are created equal? Think again.
In this episode, we’re putting *mohair alternatives* to the ultimate challenge — the *Prickle Test.* I’ll compare real mohair against several so-called “soft” substitutes (including some that promise the same halo without the itch) to see which ones actually deserve a spot near your neck… and which ones belong in permanent quarantine.

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*SHOW NOTES:*

What I'm wearing: Love Note by Tin Can Knits
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Knic...

The Yarns:
Kid Seta from Gepard Garn
https://yournextknit.com/collections/...

Lucia from Holst Garn
https://theknittingloft.ca/products/h...

Andra from Koigu
https://www.koigu.com/andra

Soft Gratté from Katia
https://www.katia.com/EN/yarns-autumn...

Ensemble Light from Artyarns
https://www.fabulousyarn.com/artyarns...

Dolce from Louise Robert
https://leslainesbiscotte.com/collect...

Majestic Fluff by Frankie Grey Fibres
https://frankiegreyfibres.com/product...

Fluff by Les Garçons and Walcot Yarns
https://boutiquelesgarcons.com/collec...

Fuwa Fuwa by Moondrake
https://theknittingloft.ca/products/m...

CFC Som DK by Camellia Fiber Co.
https://camelliafibercompany.com/prod...

00:00 Introduction
00:11 Why I can't with the mohair
03:27 What makes yarn scratchy
07:46 The obvious alternatives
17:05 The luxe alternatives
31:47 The knit-alone alternatives
39:22 The myth about paired yarns
40:33 Summary

20 Comments

@CheryllH-e5v 11 months ago

OMG yes! WHY is almost everything “ hold 2 strands together”?

@carblarson8868 6 months ago

All I can say is that I would adore u as a knitting friend, for entirely selfish reasons. Your eye is incredible for color and balance. You always can see how u can improve a pattern and make it more polished looking. Plus the thing about martinis, dogs, and humor. I love ppl that have positive outlooks. I hope your friends appreciate u.

@SarahAnnSmithQ 11 months ago

YES to the different de-pilling tools on various fibers! and another great and informative vlog. Thanks so much!

@shelton1567 6 months ago

When I was a teenager in the sixties oversized mohair sweaters were very popular. I begged for one for Christmas. I got a beautiful cherry red mohair sweater. I was thrilled. I put it on and immediately started itching, but I didn’t say anything. I’d wear it to school occasionally with a long sleeved turtleneck top. As soon as I got to school I’d take the sweater off and put it in my locker and then wore it home so I didn’t disappoint my mom. Can’t wear animal yarn to this day. Thanks for the information.

@catnapper3923 11 months ago

Oh WOW, what a valuable discussion. I started to take notes and then thought “wait! This entire thing IS a note, so mark the entire video for viewing and reviewing a lot.”

I then thought of people who have such allergic reactions to wool that they get asthma whenever they get close (can’t knit it, can’t wear it).

All of a sudden I am feeling a bit nervous about the finished sweater I have made my sister for Christmas. She may be one of the sensitive ones; I may have to tell her “no harm no foul if you have to give it back to me (I love it), I will make you something you can wear comfortably and that will keep you warm.”

Your new glasses are the bomb.

Thanks for all this heavy lifting — so valuable.

@RueRiposte 11 months ago

Nice glasses! 😎

I can't wear things that touch my neck too closely. Turtlenecks are out completely. Add anything remotely ticklish to my neck...and you'll be pulling me off the ceiling.😊

@meggadegs1978 11 months ago

I feel I’ve met a kindred soul. I share the prickle’ometer gene and really appreciate this video thank you x

@victoriahenry8265 11 months ago

I would also love a review of pill removers and matching them to different fabrics! :)

@nappybunny8221 1 month ago

A cost friendlier alternative to the Som DK is Really Rosie by Isadora Popper. You get a LOT more (300m/327yds) for about $26 USD, and it's a blown yarn with the exact same blend of baby alpaca, Pima cotton and merino wool .

@pse2502 11 months ago

I love your new glasses. I would be very interested in a video discussing the pros and cons of tools to remove pilling. Thank you for this video. I didn’t realize it would/could be cheaper to double up thinner yarns because of the yardage.

@claudiab.878 11 months ago

You can already see some red on your skin where you put the mohair. after some seconds! I tend to wear something like a blouse or a t-shirt underneath if I can-t stand the fibres on my skin.
Thank you so much for sharing us the alternatives!

@virginiamerrye263 11 months ago

Just over here watching you turn successively pinker and itching in solidarity.
This video came at just the right time, thank you!

@AM-xo7lr 5 months ago

That mosaic cowl is beautiful in those colours - looks very Klimt-esque.

@beanaasz4069 11 months ago

I understand totally about not wearing mohair. It is so pretty and nice to touch - with your hands. And light as a cloud. Just not friendly to some of us.

@kathyblack4465 11 months ago

This was great. I have been steering away from two held together thinking it was going to cost double but your myth buster really makes sense.

@beverlyfusfield8709 11 months ago (edited)

I have a not-very-fond memory of my mom putting me in a mohair sweater back in the early 60’s when I was in second grade and having to wear it to school. She had to bring something else for me to wear after a call from the school about how much I was scratching. I made a beautiful coat years ago from merino and mohair. It didn’t bother me but the mohair shed on everything. That was the last time I interacted with mohair. I’ve since discovered that alpaca is not my friend either. Your new glasses look great!

@maryannbergeron9531 11 months ago

I am in your prickly club 100%. I appreciate your information on all the different options available to us. Thank you so much for this video. Love your glasses.

@MargoG1 3 weeks ago (edited)

I’m cringing Nicole as you touch the yarn to your skin! haha!🤣😂 I’m a sufferer too, but in my late 60s I discovered that cashmere (!) and fine merino work for me so I’ve been able to give up acrylic and polyester (hurrah) as they made me too hot. Cotton yarns have also been high on my ‘good yarns’ list for a long time. I haven’t yet tried bamboo yarns but plan to have a go one of these days.

@knittygritty1166 10 months ago

Ponchos over long sleeve shirts are my go to. I feel trapped on sweaters, but ponchos and wraps with buttons save me.

@lindarich936 8 months ago

I am Texan and you are Canadian, but aside from that divergence we have some very important things in common. When you started squirming from holding prickly yarn on your neck I involuntarily squirmed with you. I cannot handle prickles at all, over my arm, on my feet, or otherwise. Even over a cotton turtleneck undershirt, prickles get through. Further in common we share our color preference: green and blue and anything in between. I truly admire your wardrobe every shade and nuance! Thanks for the encouragement that there are yarns out there to substitute for mohair, I've got you bookmarked. And, yes, your glasses are very becoming!