Fearless Fibers Yarn

A Yarn Mystery

While working on preparing new colorways on my DK to Worsted yarns for the Fall, I encountered a yarn mystery. Mixed in with my supply of undyed Mohair/Wool was another type of yarn that was unknown to me.

At a quick glance and without close inspection, it looks a bit like my DK Mohair/Wool. In fact, I dyed some of this mystery yarn in a batch of the Mohair/Wool without realizing it. When I pre-soaked the yarn and as I worked with it during the dyeing process, I thought that there were a few short skeins in the batch. I didn't think much of it, as it does happen from time to time, but it did seem odd that there were a few skeins in this batch that were short.

It wasn't until the yarn was dry that it become apparent that this was most definitely a completely different yarn.

It's lighter weight than the Mohair/Wool which runs at about 240 yards per 4-ounces. This yarn is probably around 280 or so. It seems that it definitely includes mohair, but my guess is that there is a good dose of silk in the blend. It's unbelievably soft and silky with a great sheen. It has the fuzz of mohair, but not so much as to be really fuzzy.

I couldn't stop petting it! Just touching it I can tell that it will have a fabulous drape when knit. It is truly a glorious yarn. Sigh. I am in love!

Look at this floppy factor (that's a technical term):

This is soft, luxurious, drapey, splendid yarn!

And so now I am on a mission to solve this yarn mystery. I started by going to the sample set from the supplier from which it came. I expected to find the answer there. But alas, no. This is most definitely not part of their extensive line.

I then called the supplier and told them about it. They, of course, apologized for the problem and offered to take it back and replace it. My response was basically: Over my dead body! You'd have to pry it from my cold dead fingers!

I described the yarn as best I could and then set out sending them a sample so that they can try to trace it back to the mill from which it came and find out what it is. I have no idea if they'll be able to figure it out or - even if they do - whether I'll be able to purchase some. But oh how I want some to add to my line!

In the meantime, I went through my supply of undyed yarn and found a couple of pounds of this mystery yarn mixed in. Oooooohhhh! What shall I do with it?! Dye it, for sure, but then what? I'd certainly like to offer even a very small, limited run to my customers, but I'm not sure it's reasonable to sell a mystery fiber content. Keeping it for myself is certainly tempting, but it would have to be for gifts. Sadly, I am allergic to mohair. I can dye it. I can even knit with it for short spans at a time. But if I wear it, I wheeze and sneeze horribly and end up gasping for air in short order.

Wish me luck in solving the mystery! I'll keep you posted :)