18 Comments
User's avatar
Marie A Bailey's avatar

What a lovely tee! I like the detail of a line down the center front and back. As for mohair, I haven’t knit with it in a long, long time. Seems to me there was a time when it was all the rage, and I got swept up into it. The mohair I knitted with, though, was very fuzzy, and I think I only knitted one shawl. I gave the shawl to a friend, moths ate holes in it so she gave it back in case I could mend it. It may well be at the bottom of my cedar chest ;-) It was long enough ago that I don’t remember. Did I mention that Lesley Manville is the narrator for The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman? I’ve listened to the first two novels in the series. The third in the series switches to a different narrator (and actually has a couple of narrators, it seems) so I haven’t gone beyond the first two yet. Manville is a great narrator!

Expand full comment
Sandi Rosner's avatar

Year ago, mohair yarn meant Classic Elite's LeGran, a worsted to bulky weight brushed mohair. It was very popular for oversized pullovers and cardigans. But it was "itchy" for many, and tended to shed while. you were knitting. Yarn technology has come a long way.

And thanks for the tip about Manville reading the Thursday Murder Club books; I'll have to put them on my list.

Expand full comment
MLEgan's avatar

I have Isola on my library waiting list. We had to memorize poetry in school, maybe it is time to start again. I hope to bump into you at H&H.

Expand full comment
Sandi Rosner's avatar

I'd love to see you at H+H! I'll keep my fingers crossed and my eyes open.

Expand full comment
Kathy Reed's avatar

Sandi, Are you going to MDSW? 🤞🤞

Expand full comment
Sandi Rosner's avatar

I am not going to MDSW this year. I'll be in Chicago at H+H next week. Doing the two back to back last year nearly killed me.

Have a good time! It looks like today will be the better weather day - just some brief thunderstorms in the afternoon. So much better than the constant cold drizzle last year.

Expand full comment
Kathy Reed's avatar

We do have to pace ourselves, don't we? I'm looking forward to going to MDSW as a tourist. I Love your new sweater design! Looking forward to your 'report' on H+H.

Expand full comment
Julia Morrell's avatar

Just bought Isola on your recommendation Yarn looks great too except I’m not allowed to buy any more yarn for awhile.

Expand full comment
Sandi Rosner's avatar

Enjoy Isola! and remember that all the yarn will still be there when you're ready. You don't need to keep it at home 😉

Expand full comment
Julia Morrell's avatar

Haha

Expand full comment
Jennifer Greene's avatar

Thanks so much for this review! KnitPicks have been advertising this yarn for a while, and I wasn’t sure about it. Your review is really helpful! I’ve just finished my first project carrying a strand of lace weight mohair with fingering merino. I was so afraid of allergies since I’m allergic to alpaca, but thank goodness I didn’t have an issue. I knew going in mohair is known for softness and warmth, but it’s a whole ‘nother thing to experience it! I would imagine the Ewe & Billy would be very warm as well. I would love to make a cardigan out of it.

Expand full comment
Sandi Rosner's avatar

You're very welcome! I think Ewe & Billy would make a lovely cardigan, and yes, it will be warm. But I think the warmth comes more from the merino wool that makes up 75% of this yarn than from the mohair. I think that the lace weight brushed mohair is surprisingly warm because of all the air trapped by the fluff. I haven't found non-brushed mohair yarn to be warmer than wool.

Expand full comment
Jennifer Greene's avatar

Aaaahh! Good to know! Makes sense.

Expand full comment
Lee's avatar

I wondered why all 3 of the knit samples seem to be smaller at the right. Angle of photo, or something else? I'm still trying to learn how to block so this is ignorance seeking enlightenment, not criticism.

As for mohair, I like the idea of using it for strength rather than nylon, etc., but I wouldn't be able to tolerate it. I was given a ball of high-quality mohair yarn and when I opened the bag I immediately suffered an allergic reaction even before touching it. That's why I always appreciate the way you discuss the properties of each yarn you review in detail; it gives me a better idea of whether or not I should consider it.

Expand full comment
Sandi Rosner's avatar

It's just my imperfect photography. I should have set up the phone on a tripod and made sure it was level. Failing that, I could have squared up the images in Photoshop. But I did not.

And, while I don't share your allergic reaction to mohair, I know you're not alone. Fortunately, there are lots of good natural fibers available for those with sensitivities.

Expand full comment
Yvonne Turkenburg's avatar

The Ewe & Billy yarn knits up so beautifully. Definitely need to try it. Do you think this yarn will work with your new pattern "Central Air Tee" ? Thanks, Yvonne

Expand full comment
Sandi Rosner's avatar

Ewe & Billy would work in the Central Air Tee, though the wool/mohair blend would be warmer than the wool/Tencel of the Sylvan Spirit used in the Central Air sample.

Expand full comment
Yvonne Turkenburg's avatar

Ok thanks! Good to know the difference.

Expand full comment