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More Mohair on the Rigid Heddle

At the Roycroft show, I had my rigid heddle loom warped up and I was weaving all weekend, as usual. I have really loved the look and feel of the mohair, so decided to warp the RH for more mohair. I was quite happy that I sold a mohair at the show, since it confirmed that I’m not crazy for working with this fiber.

This time I went for a check pattern in two shades of tan, both with a heavy orange tint.
handwoven mohair scarf, tan checks

I wasn’t sure how these two colors would work together, but I got lots of compliments on it while I was working, and I do really like it. They’re two luscious neutrals that work well together.

This was my fourth time wet finishing the mohair, and I believe it was my most successful. I wasn’t so worried about either the washing machine agitation step or the brushing step. This scarf is definitely the most flexible of the three, and therefore the softest. The first one I did, the blue & silver stripe, is definitely the stiffest. Since all three were woven at 6 ends and 6 picks per inch, it’s clear to me that all the difference is in the wet finishing.

I found it interesting that while I was weaving at the Roycroft show I had a few people ask me if mohair was popular. My reply? I don’t know, but it sure is wonderful!

9 comments to More Mohair on the Rigid Heddle

  • Josh

    Thank you so much for your help! I can’t wait to get started.

  • Josh

    Actually, just one more question; what weight yarn do you use for your mohair projects?

    • Peg Cherre

      Happy to oblige, Josh. Most of my mohair is 900 ypp. Some is unknown weight and fiber content.

  • Josh

    This scarf is stunning! I would love to be able to weave with mohair, but don’t even know where to begin. If you don’t mind me asking, what yarn did you use, and what was the dpi of your reed?

    • Peg Cherre

      Thanks, Josh. My mohair yarn is a blend – most of it is 78% mohair, 13% nylon, & 9% wool. I’ve woven all the mohair scarves on my rigid heddle loom with a 6 dent reed. Does this answer your questions?

    • Josh

      Thanks for the advice! If my weaving turns out half as beautiful as yours I’ll be extremely happy!

    • 6 dent? I am new and not sure what that is. I have 5, 7.5, 10.5, & 12. What would I use?

    • Peg Cherre

      I think you’re using a harness loom, not a rigid heddle loom, Sandra. Although I’ve woven hundreds (thousands?) of things on my harness looms, I’ve only woven with mohair on my rigid heddle. Mohair is very ‘sticky’, and I often have to separate the sheds by hand before I pass my shuttle through, so I find that easier on the rigid heddle loom. But I know there are others who’ve woven plenty on the harness looms, and have hints online about the best way to do it.

      All that being said, you have 5, 7.5, 10, and 12 dent reeds. If you want to stick with 6 ends per inch, such as I had on my rigid heddle, you could use every other dent on your 12 dent reed. Or you could decrease to 5 ends per inch, or increase to 7.5 ends per inch and use one of those reeds. I honestly don’t know which is the best alternative. Sorry!

  • Judy

    Soooo beautiful!!!!! Wish I could wear it!

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