How to Frog Mohair
I’ve had this mohair yarn in my stash for a while. I got it with the intention to make a specific project but it didn’t feel right while swatching. So I took a break from it and left it in my stash, waiting for inspiration to strike. That is actually they way I do for many of my projects. After completing the Lime Berry Tee I knew I wanted to use the lime berry pattern again. It is just so fun to make and I think they are really cute.
This blog post will tell you the design story about the Lime Berry Cardigan crochet pattern, it will teach you how to frog mohair and you’ll get to know all the details about the pattern.
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Story
It was mid-Aril and I started to ran out of yarn after being in lockdown for a while. I found the mohair yarn again and got swatching. I found myself making double crochets holding three strands of mohair together releasing it gives a very thick nice texture. Since I already was making DCs I started to think about my lime berry pattern again. Couldn’t that be nice in mohair? After a bit of frogging and a few tries back and forth I decided that holding two strands of mohair and lime berry pattern is the perfect swatch!
After the swatch was ready I had to decide on the construction. I made a poll on instagram asking you if I should make it in the round or as a raglan and if it should be a sweater or cardigan. Most of you voted for a cardigan with a circular yoke. That was my first option as well but after trying the construction I decided that raglan will have a more clear construction and placement of the lime berries which will make it a lot easier pattern to write, read and most importantly make. Both of the options still makes for a top down cardigan with no sewing - isn’t that great!
How to frog mohair
I know that mohair is a fibre that many are afraid to work with because it can be tricky to frog. I used to be one as well, but then I learnt the secret on how to frog mohair without making knots. What is frog or frogging you might wonder? It is the process of pulling up the stitches you’ve previously crocheted to correct a mistake or remake that part.
First, it depends a lot on the crochet stitch. A single crochet is much more prone to make a knot than a half double crochet or double crochet. That is why most of this cardigan is done using double crochet.
Second, the angle you pull while frogging is crucial. You need to change the angle of your work and how you pull so that you always pull in the direction the yarn is currently at in the work. If you let go of the yarn end and it naturally would fall down, you pull down. If it’s upwards, then you pull up. Most of the time the correct angle will be to pull downwards.
Third, do not be in a hurry. The fastest way to frog mohair is by taking it slow. Have patience and you will be rewarded. In the end it is slower than for another yarn, but with these techniques it is pain-free and you will never be afraid of frogging mohair again.
About the Crochet Pattern
Finding testers for a mohair cardigan in the late spring, early summer proved to be a challenge but I ended up getting some great testers! Check out the lovely versions from a few of my testers below.
Made using two strands of mohair the Lime Berry Cardigan will be the softest, most elegant cardigan you own. It is the perfect project for first time mohair use since the stitch is easy to use in mohair.
Yarn Choice
Since mohair is a more expensive fibre I also wanted to let you know that it is possible to make this cardigan using another fibre like wool or alpaca as well. A long as you meet the gauge / tension it isn’t any problem. You only need one strand then and the yarn weight matching would be a fingering or sport weight yarn, maybe even a light DK. I also recommend the mohair yarn Kid Silk from Drops as a good more budget friendly mohair yarn, it is used in the rust orange version you see below.
Recommended Yarn: Holding 2 strands of Mohair Royal from Lana Gatto or Kid Silk from Drops or 2 strands of other Lace / 2 ply / 35 wpi / 0 - weight yarn. 2 strands lace together make it similar to a fingering or Sport yarn making it possible to use that type of yarn as well, for example in wool. The yarn usage is then half of the estimate below.
Estimated Yarn usage (total counting both strands): 1800 m / 1960 y - 3000 m / 3300 y
Sizing
This pattern is written in five sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL.
Bust width: 85 cm / 33.5” on XS up to 125 cm / 49.2” on XL
Crochet hook size: 3.5 mm / E-4
Grab the pattern
This crochet pattern is available in English (US terms) and you find it through below links (images):
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After completing this pattern I’ve had a couple of friends who do not crochet asking me to make one for them. I usually do not do that, but nowadays I cannot say no to a chance to work with mohair again since it is currently my favourite fibre. So while writing this I am working on a Lime Berry Cardigan in light beige using the Kid Silk mohair from Drops and I am in love! I think you will be too.
Tell me: Have you ever worked with mohair? What did you think? Do you have any tips and tricks on how to frog mohair to share with the fibre community? Tell us in the comments below.
Happy Making!
Voting open until 30th of September 2020
