The ultimate guide to luxurious cashmere wool: origin, properties, care and wool selection

Welcome to our ultimate guide to luxurious cashmere! If you want to create high-quality and timeless knitwear, cashmere is the perfect choice. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything about the origin, properties and care of this exquisite material and what you should look out for when buying cashmere.

Cashmere production is a centuries-old tradition that originated in the remote regions of the Himalayas. Learn about the craftsmanship and sustainable practices that help make cashmere a sought-after luxury item.

Discover the unique properties of cashmere and why it is so incredibly soft, warm and yet light. Also find out how to recognize the quality of cashmere and what to look out for when buying your cashmere wool.

And don't forget: proper care of cashmere is essential to maintain its beauty and longevity. In this guide you will find valuable tips and tricks on how to properly wash, dry and store your knitted items made of cashmere wool.

Cashmere wool or cashmere wool?

But first we need to clarify an important term.
You have probably read the term “cashmere” wool before (e.g. on our website).
Maybe you are wondering if there is a difference between cashmere wool and cashmere wool?

The answer is no! In both cases it is simply wool made from the hair of the cashmere goat. “Cashmere” is just the English term.
No matter which spelling you prefer, both are correct and have their right to exist.

The properties of cashmere wool

Cashmere wool is known for its unique properties that make it a sought-after material. One of the main reasons we love cashmere wool so much is its incredible softness. The fibers are much finer than other types of wool and therefore feel particularly soft and delicate on your skin.

Another advantage of cashmere wool is its excellent thermoregulation. It is able to maintain your body temperature by retaining heat while wicking away moisture. This makes cashmere wool an ideal material for autumn and winter, as it not only keeps you warm but is also breathable.

Despite its warmth, cashmere is surprisingly lightweight. Compared to other materials, it offers high levels of insulation without being heavy or bulky. This makes it ideal for lightweight clothing that you barely notice you're wearing.

The production of cashmere wool

The production of cashmere wool requires careful craftsmanship and sustainable practices. After the goats' undercoat is combed out, it is sorted by hand to select the best fibers. The fibers are then washed and freed of impurities.

Spinning is another important step in the production of cashmere wool. It involves turning the selected fibres into fine yarns that can then be further processed into high-quality cashmere products. This process requires a great deal of skill and experience to ensure that the fibres are spun correctly and that the finished product is of the desired quality.

It is also important to note that cashmere wool production can be sustainable, with many manufacturers committed to using eco-friendly practices and minimizing their impact on the environment.

By purchasing cashmere products that come from sustainable sources, you can help support the demand for environmentally friendly cashmere wool.

The different types of cashmere wool

There are different types of cashmere wool that vary in quality and price. The best quality is called "Grade A" and comes from the goats that live in the highest elevations of the Himalayas. These goats have the finest undercoat, which produces the highest quality cashmere wool.

Another type of cashmere wool is "Grade B", which comes from goats living at slightly lower altitudes. This wool is a little coarser than "Grade A", but still of good quality. It is often offered at a cheaper price and is good for everyday use.

"Grade C" cashmere wool is the coarsest quality and comes from goats living in lower regions. This wool is usually not as soft as "Grade A" or "Grade B" but is still suitable for certain applications.

It is important to pay attention to the type of cashmere wool when purchasing cashmere products to ensure you are getting the quality you want. "Grade A" cashmere wool is usually more expensive, but it also offers the best softness and warmth.

How to Measure the Softness of Cashmere Wool

Whether wool is perceived as soft on the skin depends primarily on the fineness of the fibers. The finer the fibers are, the less they "prick" the skin, but instead bend.
The thickness or fineness of a wool fiber is measured in microns.
A very fine cashmere wool with a fibre thickness of up to 14.5 microns - that is really very fine!

For comparison: soft merino wool has a fineness of 16.5-24 microns. From this comparison you can already see that cashmere wool is very soft and rightly has the reputation of being pleasant on the skin.

In addition to the fineness, the length of the individual fibers also plays an important role. The longer the individual hairs, the more durable the yarn is - for example, longer fibers are less prone to the dreaded pilling.

A good cashmere wool should therefore be spun from very long and very fine fibers.

The Benefits of Cashmere Wool

Cashmere wool offers a variety of advantages that make it a desirable material for your knitting project. One of the biggest advantages is its exceptional softness. It feels incredibly delicate on the skin and is very comfortable to wear.

Another benefit of cashmere wool is its thermoregulation. It keeps your body warm by retaining heat while wicking away moisture. This makes it ideal for cold winter months or for people who get cold easily.

Cashmere wool is also very light, yet insulating. Compared to other materials, it offers high warmth without being bulky or heavy. This makes it particularly comfortable to wear and ideal for layering.

Another benefit of cashmere wool is its durability. If properly cared for, cashmere can last for years and maintain its beauty. Compared to other materials, cashmere wool is less prone to pilling and deformation, making it a long-term investment.

The difference between cashmere and other types of wool

Cashmere wool differs from other types of wool due to its unique properties and origin. Compared to sheep's wool, cashmere wool is much softer and more delicate. It has a finer texture and feels more luxurious.

Another difference is heat regulation. Cashmere wool has better heat regulation than sheep's wool and keeps your body warmer. It is also lighter and less bulky than sheep's wool, making it more comfortable to wear.

Another difference lies in the manufacturing process. Cashmere wool is usually spun by hand and is therefore much more complex to produce than sheep's wool. This handcraft process contributes to the quality and exclusivity of cashmere wool.

Proper care of cashmere wool

Proper care of cashmere wool is crucial to maintaining its beauty and longevity. Here are some important tips to help you properly care for your cashmere products:

1 Hand wash: Cashmere wool is best washed by hand to avoid damaging the fibers. Use cold or lukewarm water and a mild wool detergent . Gently immerse the garment and knead it gently to remove dirt. Then rinse thoroughly and gently squeeze out excess water without wringing.
2 Drying: Lay the washed cashmere product flat on a clean towel or pop-up dryer and gently press it into shape. Avoid hanging it as this may cause deformation. Let your knitwear dry in a well-ventilated area, but not in direct sunlight.
3 Ironing: If you need to iron your cashmere embroidery piece, use a pressing cloth or place a clean towel between the iron and the garment to protect the delicate fibers. Use a low temperature and iron gently.
4 Storage: Store your knitted items in a cool, dry place to avoid mold and moisture.
With proper care, you can ensure that your cashmere products last a long time and retain their beauty.

knitting projects with cashmere wool

Because cashmere wool is so soft, it is ideal for knitted items that are worn directly on the skin, such as scarves or hats.
But cashmere is also a good choice for many other projects. Cashmere sweaters and pullovers are just as conceivable as cardigans, ponchos or light shirts.

Buy high-quality cashmere wool

If you want to buy high-quality cashmere wool for your next knitting project, you have come to the right place.
We only stock cashmere yarns from renowned manufacturers, which we like to knit ourselves and which have proven their high quality.

Conclusion

Cashmere wool for knitting is a luxurious material with a long history and unique properties. Soft, thermo-regulating and lightweight, it offers a variety of benefits. Cashmere wool production requires careful handcrafting and sustainable practices to ensure the best quality.

Proper care of cashmere is crucial to maintaining its beauty and longevity. By washing, drying and caring for your cashmere properly, you can ensure that it lasts for years and maintains its quality.
When choosing cashmere products, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the cashmere wool and the origin of the products. Look for high-quality brands that use sustainable practices and offer high-quality craftsmanship.

With this information, you can immerse yourself in the world of luxurious cashmere wool. Enjoy the comfort and elegance that cashmere wool offers and invest in high-quality products that will give you long-lasting pleasure.

13 products

  • Pascuali
    Organic Cashmere Worsted
    Regular price 21,90 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 21,90 €
    Unit price 876,00 €  per  kg
  • Pascuali
    Organic Cashmere Lace | finest cashmere yarn super soft
    Regular price 21,90 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 21,90 €
    Unit price 876,00 €  per  kg
  • Pascuali
    Organic Cashmere 6/28 | super soft and luxurious
    Regular price 21,90 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 21,90 €
    Unit price 876,00 €  per  kg
  • Rowan
    Baby Cashsoft Merino
    Regular price 9,05 €
    Regular price Sale price 9,05 €
    Unit price 181,00 €  per  kg
  • Rowan
    Cotton cashmere
    Regular price 11,05 €
    Regular price Sale price 11,05 €
    Unit price 221,00 €  per  kg
  • Rowan
    Cashmere Haze
    Regular price 21,99 €
    Regular price Sale price 21,99 €
    Unit price 879,60 €  per  kg
  • Sandnes yarn
    Recycled tweed
    Regular price 17,35 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 17,35 €
    Unit price 347,00 €  per  kg
  • Pascuali
    Brine
    Regular price 9,90 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 9,90 €
    Unit price 198,00 €  per  kg
  • Rowan
    Pure cashmere
    Regular price 49,95 €
    Regular price Sale price 49,95 €
    Unit price 999,00 €  per  kg
  • ITO Yarn
    Karei | Tweed yarn made of 100% cashmere
    Regular price 21,50 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 21,50 €
    Unit price 860,00 €  per  kg
  • ITO Yarn
    Kuroten | luxurious and soft made from cashmere and sable
    Regular price 25,90 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 25,90 €
    Unit price 647,50 €  per  kg
  • Pascuali
    Cashmere Charis | ultrafine merino with cashmere
    Regular price 26,90 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 26,90 €
    Unit price 538,00 €  per  kg
  • Cardiff Cashmere
    Cashmere Large | reines Kaschmirgarn unfassbar weich und warm
    Regular price 14,90 €
    Regular price 0,00 € Sale price 14,90 €
    Unit price 596,00 €  per  kg