Cashmere & Cashmere Blends

Cashmere is about as soft and lightweight-warm as fiber gets, which is why it's often reserved for pieces worn close to the skin — cowls, hats, and lightweight garments. This collection includes both pure cashmere and cashmere blended with wool, silk, or nylon for a bit more structure and durability plus a more accessible price point.

Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, and it's valued for being exceptionally soft and warm relative to its weight — a thinner cashmere garment can be as warm as a much bulkier wool one. That same fineness makes pure cashmere more delicate than wool: it's more prone to pilling and less elastic, so it holds its shape less well under stress, especially in high-friction areas like sleeve cuffs.

Blending cashmere with wool, silk, or nylon addresses some of that. Wool and nylon blends add durability and memory, making the finished fabric more resistant to stretching and pilling, while silk blends add sheen and drape without sacrificing much softness. This collection includes both pure cashmere and these common blends, mostly in fingering to DK weight.

Because cashmere is delicate, hand washing with a wool-safe detergent is almost always recommended over machine washing, even for blends — check the individual product page for specific care instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Why is cashmere yarn so expensive?

Cashmere comes from the fine undercoat of cashmere goats, and each goat produces only a small amount of usable fiber per year, which keeps supply limited relative to demand. Processing the fiber to remove coarser guard hairs adds further cost.

How do I wash my cashmere knits?

Hand washing with a wool-safe detergent like Eucalan, followed by laying flat to dry, is the safest approach for cashmere and most cashmere blends, even if a blend is labeled more durable. Check the specific product's care instructions before washing.

What's the difference between cashmere and merino wool?

Cashmere is generally softer and warmer relative to its weight, but merino is more elastic, more durable, and less expensive. Many knitters choose merino for everyday pieces and save cashmere for garments worn close to the skin.