Novita Edith

If I could bottle the feeling of a cloud, it would probably come out looking a lot like Novita Edith. This is one of those yarns that makes people gasp a little when they touch it for the first time, and I never get tired of watching that happen at the counter. Light as a feather, dreamily soft, pure poetry in a tiny ball.

Here's what's in it. Edith is a blend of 70% superfine kid mohair and 30% low sheen silk, and that pairing is the secret to its magic. The kid mohair is where all that fluffy, weightless warmth and the soft halo come from, that gorgeous fuzzy glow that surrounds the stitches like mist. The silk brings strength, a gentle drape, and a subtle, understated luster that keeps the yarn from looking too fluffy. Because it's a low sheen silk, the finish stays soft and quiet rather than flashy, which I love. Together they make a fabric that's exquisitely soft, squishy, warm, and almost impossibly light.

The feel of it

This is a lace weight, spun fine, with about 229 yards per 25g ball, so a single little ball carries you a surprisingly long way. Mohair yarns like this one have a way of looking delicate while actually being quite warm, because all those fine fibers trap air. Give it a squeeze and you'll feel almost nothing in your hand, and that's exactly the point. It's the definition of a lightweight luxury. Kid mohair, which comes from young goats, is finer and softer than mohair from older animals, so you get that gorgeous halo without the itch some people worry about. The halo also develops as you go, which means the piece you're knitting will look a little more magical after it's washed and blocked than it does on the needles. If your fabric looks a touch sparse while you work, trust the process, because that gentle bloom is coming.

What I would make with it

Edith shines in airy, floaty knitwear and accessories. Gossamer shawls, cloud-soft cowls, delicate wraps, and lightweight layering pieces are all wonderful choices. One of my very favorite ways to use a mohair silk like this is to hold it together with another yarn, a fingering wool or a silk single, to add a soft halo and a bit of warmth to a garment without much extra weight. Held on its own it makes a sheer, ethereal fabric that's perfect for a delicate shawl. If you love a pattern with a bit of lace, Edith will make it look like spun sugar.

• Needles and gauge. The recommendation is about 22 stitches over 4 inches on a US 4 needle. Held alone I often go up a size or two for an open, drapey lace fabric, and when I hold it with another yarn I match the needle to that yarn instead.
• Take your time. Mohair grips itself, so tinking back stitch by stitch can be fiddly. Knit a little slower, use a lifeline in lace, and if you do need to rip back, go gently and steam can help release the fibers.
• How much to grab. At 229 yards a ball, a single-color shawl held alone often wants two to three balls, while holding it double with another yarn stretches it much further. Check your pattern's yardage to be sure.
• Care. Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. A gentle soak and block opens the halo up and lets the whole piece bloom.

If you fall for this one

Mohair and silk have a way of becoming a habit. If you love Edith, the Kelbourne Woolens Harmony and Madelinetosh Tosh Silk Cloud are both gorgeous mohair silk laces I reach for constantly. For a silk and wool lace with a little more body, take a look at Novita Helene from the same maker, and if you want to explore pure fine luxury further, Lamana Premia is a beautiful silk lace worth knowing.

Working with mohair scares some people off, and I understand why, it behaves differently than a smooth wool. But once you get the rhythm of it, it's pure delight, and the results look like something out of a dream. If you're nervous to try it, don't be alone with it. Come find me at the shop in Liberty Station in San Diego, bring your pattern, and I'll show you a few tricks that make all the difference. I'll wind your yarn for free while we talk. If you'd like to know how Apricot came to be, I've shared the whole story on our Our Story page.

Happy making,
Sara Heckman
Owner, Apricot Yarn & Supply

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2690 Historic Decatur Rd., #101 
San Diego, California, USA 92106
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