Technical insights into our yarns, stitches, and finishes.
About Cashmere Fibre
Cashmere is one of the world’s most prized natural fibres, known for its exceptional softness, warmth, and longevity. It is derived from the fine undercoat of cashmere goats, primarily herded in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. These goats have adapted to the region’s severe winters by growing an insulating underlayer, which naturally sheds in spring. At this time, herders carefully comb the goats by hand to collect the down—a traditional method passed down through generations of nomadic communities. This process aligns with the animals’ natural cycles, preserves animal welfare, and ensures the highest fibre quality.
Compared to sheep’s wool, cashmere is significantly finer, smoother, and more insulating. Each goat yields only 100–200 grams of usable fibre per year, making cashmere a rare and highly valued material.
You’ll find technical details about the construction of each garment in the ‘Details’ dropdown on every product page. Below, we’ve outlined a few key concepts to help deepen your understanding of cashmere knitwear.
Understanding Gauge & Ply
GAUGE
In knitting, gauge (also known as tension) refers to the density or tightness of the knitted fabric, measured by the number of stitches and rows per inch. The higher the gauge, the finer the knit. For reference, our chunkiest styles are knit at a 3-gauge, while our most refined pieces are knit at a 18-gauge.
PLY
Ply refers to the number of individual threads twisted together to create a single strand of yarn. A 4-ply yarn, for example, consists of four threads spun together. Higher ply counts generally yield thicker yarns.
The relationship between gauge and ply affects the look, feel, and warmth of a garment. For instance, a low-ply yarn knit at a loose gauge will result in a soft, lofty feel, whereas a high-ply yarn at the same gauge will create a denser, more structured piece. Our midweight garments typically fall around 4–5 ply and 7 gauge.
Understanding Stitch Types
Discover some of the stitch techniques you'll find in our garments.
Plain Knit
The most foundational knitting technique, the plain stitch creates a signature ‘V’ pattern on the fabric’s surface. Its reverse side is known as a purl stitch. Most of our pieces are constructed using these stitches, with variations in gauge and ply to influence drape and weight.
Rib
Ribbed knits are both functional and decorative, offering superior stretch and recovery. They are formed by alternating columns of knit and purl stitches—for example, a 1x1 rib alternates one knit with one purl, creating a tight, uniform finish, while a 1x3 rib results in a chunkier, more pronounced texture. Ribbing is often used on hems, cuffs, and collars, but also features in full garments for added structure and elasticity.
Brushed
Our brushed cashmere undergoes a specialised treatment—both at the yarn stage and after knitting—to achieve its signature cloud-like softness. This finish gives the fabric a uniquely warm and tactile quality.
To learn more about how to care for your cashmere garments, please visit our Care page.