Cashmere wool
Crocheting and Knitting with Cashmere
Cashmere yarn is one of the most luxurious yarns for knitting and crocheting. It is known for its exceptional softness, light weight, and cozy warmth. Cashmere is a wonderful choice for garments and accessories that you like to wear directly against your skin.
Do you enjoy working with high-quality materials that retain their beauty over time? Then cashmere is definitely worth discovering. A cashmere sweater, cardigan, scarf, or shawl feels soft to the touch, is comfortable to wear, and has a stylish, refined look. You really have to feel cashmere for yourself to fully understand what makes this yarn so special.
Where does Cashmere come from?
Unlike many types of wool, which come from sheep, Cashmere comes from cashmere goats. These goats are native to mountainous regions, including the Himalayas. Cashmere was traditionally produced in large quantities in regions such as India, Pakistan, and China. Today, Cashmere is also produced in other countries, including Mongolia, Australia, and New Zealand.
The fiber comes from the goat’s fine, soft undercoat. It is precisely this undercoat that protects the animal from extreme cold and temperature fluctuations. That explains why Cashmere can feel so warm and yet so light.
How is Cashmere yarn made?
Cashmere wool is traditionally obtained by carefully combing the soft undercoat of the goat during the molting season. In some production processes, the coat is sheared. The fine, soft fibers are then separated from the coarser hairs. Only the best and finest fibers are used for high-quality cashmere yarns.
The most valuable cashmere fibers often come from the neck, nape, and lower abdomen of the goat. A relatively large amount of fiber is needed to make a single garment. The number of shearing yields required to make a cashmere sweater increases. This makes cashmere an expensive fiber. To make the yarn more affordable, stronger, or easier to work with, cashmere is often blended with other fibers such as wool, merino, silk, or cotton.
Why choose cashmere yarn?
Cashmere is beloved for its combination of luxury, softness, and warmth. The yarn feels light but provides good insulation. This makes it suitable for cozy winter projects, as well as for lightweight accessories that you’ll enjoy wearing across multiple seasons.
The main characteristics of cashmere yarn are:
- Exceptionally soft: Cashmere feels very soft and comfortable against the skin. Its softness depends on the quality of the fiber and the composition of the yarn.
- Light and warm: Cashmere provides plenty of warmth without feeling heavy. That makes it perfect for sweaters, cardigans, scarves, and shawls.
- Luxurious look: Projects featuring Cashmere take on a refined, timeless look.
- Comfortable against the skin: this yarn is ideal for projects worn directly against the skin, such as scarves, turtlenecks, and cardigans.
- Beautiful in blended yarns: Cashmere is often combined with other fibers for added strength, luster, elasticity, or a more affordable price.
What can you make with Cashmere?
Cashmere yarn is particularly well-suited for projects where comfort and softness are important. Think of sweaters, cardigans, scarves, turtlenecks, shawls, hats, and luxurious baby projects. Cashmere is also lovely for small accessories, because you can achieve a stunning result with relatively little yarn.
In clothing, cashmere gives garments an elegant drape and a soft feel. It’s ideal for scarves and shawls because it’s warm without being heavy. If you want to create a project that will last a long time and feel special, cashmere is a wonderful choice.
100% Cashmere or a Cashmere blend?
You can choose between 100% Cashmere yarns and yarns that blend Cashmere with other fibers. Pure Cashmere often feels the most luxurious and soft, but it is also more expensive and requires careful care.
A blended yarn containing Cashmere can be a practical alternative. By combining Cashmere with, for example, merino, wool, Silk, or Cotton, the yarn gains additional properties. These include greater strength, better shape retention, extra luster, or a more affordable price. This way, you can still enjoy the softness and luxury of Cashmere, but with a yarn that suits your project and budget.
How do you care for Cashmere?
Cashmere is a luxurious natural fiber and deserves careful care. It’s best not to wash cashmere items too often. Often, simply airing out your garment or accessory after wearing it is enough. This keeps the yarn fresh and helps it retain its beautiful appearance for longer.
Do you need to wash your Cashmere after all? If so, always follow the care instructions on the tag or product page. Preferably use a mild wool detergent, wash gently by hand or on a suitable wool cycle if permitted, and avoid rubbing and wringing. Let your project dry flat so it retains its shape.
What should you look for in Cashmere yarn?
Because of its soft fibers, Cashmere can be slightly more susceptible to friction than sturdier yarns. With heavy use, slight pilling may occur, especially in areas where the garment rubs against the skin. This is normal for many luxury natural fibers and can be gently removed with a suitable wool comb or lint shaver.
Always make a gauge swatch when working on a garment. This allows you to check the stitch ratio, drape, and suppleness of the yarn. This is especially important with luxury yarns like Cashmere, because you want your project to turn out exactly the right size and look.
Buy cashmere yarn at Yarnplaza
At Yarnplaza, you can easily order Cashmere yarn and yarns containing Cashmere online. Choose from luxurious yarns for Sweaters, Cardigans, Scarves, Shaws, Hats, and soft accessories. Pair your favorite yarn with the right Knitting Needles, Crochet Hooks, and care products so you’re well-prepared to start your project.
FAQs About Cashmere Yarn
What is cashmere yarn?
Cashmere yarn is made from the fine undercoat of cashmere goats. It is known for its softness, light weight, warmth, and luxurious appearance.
Is "Cashmere" the same as "cashmere"?
Yes, "Cashmere" and "Cashmere" mean the same thing. "Cashmere" is the Dutch term, and "Cashmere" is the English term.
What do you use Cashmere yarn for?
Cashmere yarn is mainly used for luxury clothing and accessories, such as sweaters, cardigans, scarves, turtlenecks, shawls, hats, and soft baby projects.
Why is Cashmere more expensive than many other types of yarn?
Cashmere is expensive because the fine undercoat is in limited supply and must be processed with great care. A relatively large amount of fiber is needed to make a single garment.
What is the advantage of a Cashmere-blend yarn?
A Cashmere blend combines the softness of Cashmere with the properties of other fibers, such as strength, luster, elasticity, or a more affordable price.
How do you wash Cashmere?
Wash Cashmere as little as possible; instead, air it out after wearing it. If washing is necessary, use a mild wool detergent, wash gently, and lay the item flat to dry.