Silkhair Yarn: What It Is and How to Knit With It

By Prymamericas.com: Sewing, quilting, and knitting supplies | Published: 2026-10-27

Category: How-to Guides

Learn what Silkhair yarn is and how to knit with it, including needle size, tension tips, and care instructions for a soft, airy finish.

Quick answer

Start with larger needles than you'd expect, keep a light tension, and always swatch to find the fabric you want. Treat the finished piece gently with hand washing and flat drying.

Why Silkhair behaves differently

Silkhair is a fine lace-weight yarn made from super kid mohair and silk. The halo of fine fibers grips itself as you knit, so you don't need tight tension to hold stitches together. That also means it can be easy to drop a stitch if you're not paying attention.

Needle size makes the fabric

The recommended needle size for this yarn is not printed on the label, so you have to decide based on the project. For an airy, see-through lace shawl, use US 6–8 (4–5 mm). For a denser but still soft sweater, drop down to US 3–4 (3.25–3.5 mm). The same yarn can look completely different depending on your choice.

Step by step: Knitting with Silkhair

Swatch first: Cast on about 30 stitches with your chosen needle size and work in stockinette for 4 inches. Measure the gauge over 4 inches, not 1, because the loose stitches can shift. Common mistake: skipping the swatch because the yarn is expensive — but a swatch saves you from ripping out a whole project. Write down your gauge and the needle size you used.
Cast on loosely: Use a long-tail cast-on but keep the loops very loose on the needle. If your cast-on feels tight, switch to a knitted cast-on or use a needle one size larger just for the cast-on row. Common mistake: pulling the first row too tight, which makes the edge curl inward. If the edge curls, try a larger needle for the cast-on only.
Knit with even, light tension: Hold the yarn with a relaxed hand — don't wrap it around your pinky. Let the yarn slide freely; the mohair halo will fill any small gaps between stitches. Common mistake: knitting too tightly, which makes the fabric stiff and hides the airy quality of the yarn. If your fabric feels stiff, go up one needle size.
Weave in ends as you go: When you join a new ball, weave the tail into the wrong side over 4–5 stitches using a tapestry needle. Do not knot it. Common mistake: leaving all ends to weave in at the end — they become nearly invisible in the halo, and you may lose track of them. Weave ends over at least 4 stitches so they don't slip out.
Block gently, then wash by hand: Soak the finished piece in lukewarm water with a mild wool wash for 15 minutes. Press out water with a towel — never wring or twist. Lay flat to dry, shaping gently. Common mistake: using hot water or machine drying, which will felt the mohair and ruin the softness. Dry cleaning or hand washing is recommended for this yarn.

Product used in this guide

Silkhair Yarn: The Silkhair Collection by Lana Grossa features a fine lace yarn made from super kid mohair and silk. The blend of kid mohair and silk gives this yarn a soft halo and light sheen, but it also means the yarn is delicate and requires gentle handling both while knitting and after.
Silkhair Yarn