How to combine different types of fibers for knitting

There are many reasons why I like to teach knitting classes, one of them being that challenges always arise that make me study more and better understand the particularities of the craft. Recently a student asked me if there is any problem with mixing animal and vegetable fibers when knitting. My intuition is that there is no problem, in fact, there are yarns that combine animal and vegetable fibers in their weave. But to be sure, I started to investigate.

When combining different types of fiber (animal or vegetable) in a handwoven project, there is no hard and fast rule, but there are several important factors to consider to ensure that the end result is satisfying and long-lasting. Here are some guidelines:

1. Consider the purpose of the garment

* Durability: For garments that require greater resistance, such as socks, it may be useful to combine wool (animal) with a resistant vegetable fiber such as linen. I suggest using wool that is already woven with a fiber that gives it greater resistance, such as Alvor yarn, which combines 50% wool and 50% linen in its weave and is a biodegradable alternative for knitting socks.

* Softness and warmth: For a warm and soft garment, you could combine merino wool with alpaca. For example, to a strand of merino wool such as Merino Land or Real Merino , you could add a strand of Baby Alpaca or Brushed Alpaca . This creates an interesting texture and fills the stitch when you want to achieve the tension required for knitting with thick knitting needles. The most common combination is to add a strand of Mohair (of animal origin, from the Angora goat) with a strand of any other yarn.

2. Take into account the behavior of the fibers

* Shrinkage: Some fibers shrink more than others when washed. For example, wool is more prone to shrinking than cotton. So you should consider washing care for the more delicate yarn in your fiber blend.

* Elasticity: Fibers have a different elasticity than plants. Combining fibers with different degrees of elasticity can affect the shape and fit of the final garment. Never forget to make a good tension sample and block your sample before embarking on your project. This will allow you to check not only the tension required, but also the behavior of the combined fibers.

3. Care and maintenance

* Blended fibres may require specific care. For example, a garment that combines wool (which generally requires hand washing or a wool cycle) with cotton (which tolerates machine washing better) may make washing more complicated.

4. Consistency of thickness and texture

* Try to combine fibers of similar thickness and texture to maintain a uniform look throughout your project, unless you are going for a deliberate textured effect. It is common to knit yarns of different thicknesses together when knitting with a mohair (or similar) strand next to any other fiber.

5. Test with a voltage sample

* It is always a good idea to do a test by knitting a small sample with the fibers you plan to combine. This will allow you to see how they interact with each other, how they behave after washing, and whether the final result is what you want.

6. Color and dyeing

* Consider how the colors of different fibers may interact or change after washing, especially if you are blending hand-dyed natural fibers.

In the end, a lot depends on experimentation and personal preference. Combining different types of fiber can result in unique and personalized creations, taking these considerations into account.