Cashmere

Cashmere yarn is obtained from cashmere goats, pashmina goats, and some other breeds of goat. A number of countries produce cashmere and have improved processing techniques over the years but China and Mongolia are two of the leading producers where the cashmere goats are originally from.

Characteristics Of Cashmere Yarn

Cashmere is a beautifully soft yarn that is good at absorbing moisture as well as retaining it. This is why it is great to wear next to the skin. Cashmere is also a very warm fibre so is perfect for garments. 

Each individual hair has fewer scales than most animal fibres, while this allows the yarn to be prickle free, it does increase the pilling and reduces its durability. This is the main reason cashmere blend yarns are more common than 100% cashmere as it makes the yarn easier to spin and care for. Cashmere is also an expensive fibre so blending it with other fibres make it more affordable.

Benefits of Cashmere Yarn

Cashmere does not contain lanolin, so it's an entirely hypoallergenic alternative to merino and other fibres.

Cashmere's ability to both absorb and retain water makes it a great choice for garments. The stunning softness is also a major benefit of cashmere-it really is prickle free for most wearers. 

Uses of Cashmere Yarn

100% cashmere yarns can be a little delicate but their warmth make them ideal for small accessories such as wrist warmers and hats.

When blended with other fibres, you can maintain the benefits of cashmere but with added durability which is great for garments. They are especially good for baby knits due to their soft, prickle free nature. 

Care of Cashmere Yarn

Cashmere is very sensitive to heat so washing should be in cold water with gentle wool wash and left to dry flat out of direct sunlight. Cashmere garments can take a while to dry so be patient.

Cashmere also has a tendency to pill, especially when using 100% cashmere.

Selecting the right yarn

When selecting yarns it's important to be aware all yarns handle differently and will give varied textures and drape. This is why it's important to knit or crochet a gauge swatch. This allows you to both check the feel of the fabric and the needle size to use (again all knitters have a slightly different tension)

For more information about substituting yarns click here.

For more information about gauge swatching click here.

If you need more help finding a yarn for your project feel free to send us a message, and we’ll get back to you with our expert advice or even pop into your local store.

FAQs

Is it difficult to knit with cashmere?

Cashmere yarn is not difficult to knit with. Due to its softness, it can be a little slippery so may not be ideal for a complete beginner. 

What is cashmere vs wool?

Wool generally refers to yarn made from sheep fibres whereas cashmere fibre comes from goats. 

The term wool can however also be used to refer to any animal fibre based yarn. In this case cashmere would be referred to as wool but not all wool will be cashmere!

Can you crochet with cashmere yarn?

Cashmere goat hairs are seven times thinner than sheep wool making a beautifully soft yarn. The flexibility of cashmere yarns make them perfect to knit, crochet, and weave with. Using cashmere with simple patterns results in gorgeous and luxurious creations, even for beginners.

Is cashmere hard to maintain?

Any knitwear is most delicate when wet so care needs to be taken when washing. 

Garments made from natural fibres such as cashmere yarn do not need to be washed after every use. 

Cashmere is very sensitive to heat so washing should be in cold water with gentle wool wash and left to dry flat out of direct sunlight. Cashmere garments can take a while to dry so be patient.