Cashmere Wool – What Is It, What Are the Benefits of Cashmere and Why Is It So Highly Valued

Cashmere has long been synonymous with luxury. It is associated with exceptional softness, lightness and garments that feel wonderfully soft against the body. Cashmere garments usually cost more than products made from classic wool, but this is not a coincidence. Their price is primarily determined by the limited availability of the raw material, the delicacy of the fibres and the way they are sourced and processed.

So, what exactly is cashmere wool and where does this material come from? Cashmere is obtained from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. It is these fine fibres that are used to produce luxury knitwear, fabrics and yarns.

Cashmere has many qualities that have made it highly valued around the world for centuries. It is lightweight, soft and provides good insulation against the cold. It does not contain lanolin, which can sometimes cause skin allergies. At the same time, it requires proper care, and its price is higher than that of most types of sheep's wool.

In this article, you will learn exactly what cashmere is, what its benefits are, how it differs from merino wool and why cashmere yarns are among the most expensive materials used in clothing production. If you are wondering what makes this fine fibre so special and why it is worth choosing, as well as how it differs from wool and merino wool – this article is for you.

Is Cashmere Wool? The Origin and Characteristics of the Material

Is cashmere wool? In everyday language, the terms “cashmere wool” and “cashmere fleece” are very common, but cashmere does not come from sheep, so technically it is not referred to as wool. It is obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats, although you will also sometimes find the term “wool from cashmere goats”. We use this term from time to time as well – it is widely used.

The international definition of cashmere refers to fine undercoat fibres of the cashmere goat that have been separated from the guard hairs. The average diameter of such a fibre should not exceed 19 microns, making it an exceptionally fine and luxurious fibre.

This is important because the small diameter of the fibres is one of the characteristics that distinguishes cashmere. Its fibres are fine, soft and lightweight. However, the raw material contains both delicate down and coarser guard hairs. During processing, the cashmere fibres are separated from these coarser elements.

Cashmere comes from regions of Asia with cold climates. The animals developed a dense undercoat to protect themselves from low temperatures. This natural down is collected when the goats shed their winter coat. It is considerably warmer than the coat covering animals living in warmer regions. According to the FAO, the traditional cashmere-producing regions are located primarily in Central and Inner Asia.

It is also worth knowing that not every goat produces cashmere of the same quality. The value of the raw material is influenced by factors such as the diameter and length of the fibres and their colour. The more uniform and delicate the raw material, the greater the possibilities for its use. The variety of types provides a wide selection of cashmere qualities.

Therefore, the term “cashmere” should not be treated as a guarantee that every product will have identical properties. Both the quality of the fibres and the way they are processed matter.

Cashmere Goat Wool – Properties, Benefits and Uses

The most characteristic feature of cashmere is its exceptional softness. The fine fibres can make the material incredibly pleasant to the touch. It is precisely the delicacy of the fibres that is one of the reasons why cashmere has earned its place among the most highly valued clothing materials.

Cashmere is also lightweight. Well-made knitwear can provide warmth without adding much bulk. The fine fibres create spaces that trap air, helping with thermal insulation.

Cashmere can also manage moisture well, much like other wool fibres. However, it should not be credited with magical properties. It is a natural fibre whose behaviour depends, among other things, on the construction of the material, the thickness of the knitwear and the conditions in which it is worn.

Another advantage of cashmere is its elasticity. Well-made knitwear can drape softly over the body and provide wearing comfort. Cashmere can be worn directly against the skin, although people with particularly sensitive skin may react differently to different materials.

There is no basis, however, for describing all cashmere clothing as hypoallergenic. Cashmere is a very delicate fibre, but individual tolerance to a material is a personal matter.

Cashmere is primarily suited to garments where softness, lightness and elegance are important. It is used to make sweaters, cardigans, hats and gloves, among other things. The market also offers elegant scarves, shawls and coats. Cashmere garments are characterised by antibacterial and thermoregulatory properties.

It is sometimes said that cashmere yarn is several times warmer than merino wool, but this is difficult to define unequivocally – much depends on the thickness of the fibres, their processing and, ultimately, the knit structure.

Cashmere yarns are also popular for hand knitting. They can be used to create lightweight sweaters, cardigans, scarves and shawls. Cashmere yarns work particularly well wherever softness and the delicate character of the finished knitwear are important.

In the world of handcraft, you can find both yarns made entirely from cashmere and blends. For example, Rico Design offers Luxury Brushed Cashmere aran yarn containing 60% cashmere and 40% merino wool. The manufacturer describes it as a soft, fluffy yarn intended, among other things, for knitwear.

This is a good example of how cashmere can be combined with other fibres to create a material with slightly different properties and characteristics.

Cashmere, Regular Wool and Merino Wool – The Key Differences

The most important difference concerns their origin. Sheep's wool comes from sheep, while cashmere comes from the undercoat of cashmere goats. Both are natural fibres of animal origin, but they are not the same raw material.

They also differ in fibre diameter. The definition of cashmere specifies a maximum average diameter of 19 microns. In the case of sheep's wool, the range of fibre diameters is much wider and depends, among other things, on the breed of sheep and the intended use of the raw material.

It is the fineness of the fibres that largely influences the softness of cashmere. This does not mean, however, that all wool will be coarse. Very fine merino wool can also be soft and comfortable against the skin.

This is why comparing cashmere and merino is not as simple as it might seem. Merino wool can have very fine fibres while also offering properties that make it well suited to everyday use. Its natural elasticity, breathability, moisture management and odour resistance make merino useful in activewear as well.

Cashmere, on the other hand, has a more luxurious character. It is particularly valued for its softness and lightness, which is why it is often used for sweaters, scarves and other elegant products.

Which is better: wool, merino or cashmere? There is no single answer. Cashmere will be an interesting choice for someone who values softness, lightness and elegance above all. It is also breathable and helps regulate temperature, but it requires more care.

Merino wool may be a better choice when you need a more versatile material that can withstand everyday use and is also suitable for physical activity. Delicate cashmere can be slightly more prone to pilling from natural friction, especially at first.

At KOPYTO, we particularly value merino wool for precisely this versatility. Cashmere has its own special place in the world of luxury knitwear, while merino offers enormous possibilities for everyday clothing.

Wool with Cashmere – How Does It Differ from Pure Cashmere?

Wool with cashmere is a blend of two different fibres. Depending on the product, it may combine cashmere with sheep's wool, merino wool or another material.

Such a blend is not inherently inferior. It will simply have different properties from a product made from 100% cashmere. The added fibre can affect durability, elasticity, texture, care requirements and price.

A good example is the Rico Design yarn mentioned above, which combines cashmere and merino in a 60:40 ratio. Cashmere yarns can therefore have very different compositions. If you are looking for pure cashmere, always check the composition on the label. The product name alone may not be enough.

The same applies to terms such as “cashmere” or “with cashmere”. A product containing a small amount of cashmere may be soft and pleasant to the touch, but it is not the same as knitwear made entirely from cashmere fibres.

This season, the first product containing cashmere has joined our collection. This is our PANTERA sweater – made from 75% merino wool and 25% cashmere. It is an ideal sweater for every season – it helps maintain body temperature, provides exceptional wearing comfort, and the fibres it is made from are exceptionally soft and lightweight.

It is also worth paying attention to yarns made from recycled cashmere. Products using fibres obtained from production waste are available on the market. Their properties may differ from those of virgin fibres, so here too, the specific composition and product description remain the most important factors.

Why Is Cashmere Yarn So Expensive?

The price of cashmere starts with its limited availability. Cashmere goats do not produce huge amounts of delicate undercoat – a cashmere goat produces around 100–150 g of down per year. According to FAO data, global production of raw cashmere is small compared with sheep's wool production. After cleaning and removing the coarser hairs, even less fibre remains that is suitable for use.

This is precisely why its price can be high.

The process of preparing the raw material is also important. The raw material contains both delicate down and coarser guard hairs. These elements have to be separated. Quality is assessed based, among other things, on the diameter and length of the fibres.

The price of cashmere is therefore determined not only by its “luxury” image, but also by the limited amount of raw material available and the demanding process required to prepare the fibres.

Does a good cashmere sweater have to be very expensive? There is no single price that automatically means the highest quality. The composition, fibre quality, construction, production method and brand all matter.

It is therefore not worth judging cashmere solely by its price. An expensive product does not automatically mean it contains the best-quality cashmere.

Cashmere nevertheless remains more expensive than most sheep's wool. The combination of limited supply, delicate fibres and the demanding preparation process is what makes it costly.

How to Care for Cashmere Wool Garments?

Cashmere requires proper care. It is not a material that should be treated in the same way as a cotton T-shirt or a synthetic sweatshirt.

First and foremost, check the care label of the specific product. It will tell you whether the garment can be machine washed or whether hand washing or professional cleaning is required.

If the manufacturer recommends hand washing, it is best to use lukewarm water and a mild detergent. For wool knitwear, Woolmark recommends gentle washing at around 30°C and using a detergent designed for wool. Do not rub the material vigorously, wring it out or soak it for a long time.

You can also use a mild detergent intended for wool, provided it is compatible with the garment manufacturer's recommendations. Do not use bleach unless the product's care label allows it.

Drying is also important after washing. Cashmere knitwear is best dried flat, as wet material can stretch under its own weight. Woolmark recommends drying wool knitwear flat and advises against hanging it up while wet.

Do not place a wet sweater directly on a radiator or near an intense source of heat. It is safer to leave it to dry at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Cashmere does not need to be washed after every wear. If the garment is not dirty and does not have a strong odour, airing it out is often enough. Wool garments have a natural resistance to odours and do not require washing as frequently as many other materials.

It is also worth giving the knitwear time to rest. Woolmark recommends leaving wool garments for around 24 hours before wearing them again, allowing the fibres to recover their natural shape.

Cashmere sweaters are best stored folded. Hanging heavy knitwear for long periods can cause it to stretch. If small pills appear, they can be gently removed with a special comb or fabric shaver.

Pilling does not necessarily mean that a product is poor quality. It is a natural phenomenon caused by fibre friction, particularly in areas such as the sides of a sweater, underarms or places where the material comes into contact with a bag strap.

Well-cared-for cashmere can retain its softness and shape for a long time. This is why cashmere garments are worth treating not as clothing “for one season”, but as pieces that can accompany us for many years.

Cashmere has exceptional properties, but it is not a material without drawbacks. It is delicate, expensive and requires more careful maintenance than many everyday knitwear fabrics. In return, it offers exceptional softness, lightness and a distinctive luxurious character.

Cashmere fibres have their own place in the world of elegant clothing, just as merino wool has its place in everyday garments. Cashmere works well on cold days, in lightweight sweaters, cardigans and accessories, while appropriately selected cashmere yarns offer a wide range of possibilities in the world of handcraft.

There is a reason why cashmere is valued all over the world. It is simply a very specific material – delicate, lightweight and demanding. If you value its benefits, however, it is worth remembering that the name “cashmere” alone is not enough. What matters is the quality of the fibre, the product composition, the way it is made and proper care.