Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions we are asked most often. Where there is more to say, we link to the full page.
Yarn and knitting
Which weights are available?
Three, all in 100% cashmere:
- SUPERIOR (sport) – 25 g / approx. 105 m, needle size 3–4 mm
- CLASSIC (DK) – 25 g / approx. 59 m, needle size 4–5 mm
- GRAND (worsted) – 50 g / approx. 80 m, needle size 5–6 mm
What tension should I work to?
Stocking stitch over 10 cm: SUPERIOR 25 stitches (3.5 mm), CLASSIC 22 stitches x 30 rows, GRAND 18 stitches (5 mm).
How many colours are there?
SUPERIOR and CLASSIC in 22 shades, GRAND in 15. See the colour card
Is the yarn really pure cashmere?
Yes, 100% cashmere – no wool, silk or synthetic.
Care
Can I wash cashmere?
Yes. Wool cycle, cold. Treat stubborn stains with a little hair shampoo beforehand.
How do I dry and store it?
Flat on a towel, not hanging – otherwise the piece stretches out of shape. Once dry it can be steamed smooth. Store it flat.
What is pilling, and what helps?
The small bobbles are the shortest cashmere fibres. A pilling comb removes them cleanly, without changing the handle. We recommend one wash before wearing a piece for the first time.
How hard-wearing is the yarn?
Our DENSE LINE spinning process achieves up to 45% higher abrasion resistance than comparable cashmere yarns in independent laboratory tests. More about DENSE LINE
Origin and production
Where does your cashmere come from?
From Kyrgyzstan – the At-Bashi and Kochkor districts of Naryn province and the Alay and Chong-Alay districts of Osh province. About the origin
Are the goats sheared?
No. Once a year, during the moult, the undercoat is combed out by hand.
When may a fibre be called cashmere?
At a diameter of no more than 0.019 millimetres. The finer and more crimped the fibre, the finer the yarn.
Where is the yarn processed?
Collection, scouring and dehairing in Kyrgyzstan; spun by R. Gledhill in England, dyed by Ettrick Yarn Dyers in Scotland to EU REACH standards. All six stages
What do you pay the herders?
Fair market value and above, through a tiered payment system, buying directly house by house. The families behind it
What about animal welfare and grazing?
Extensive husbandry in mixed herds rather than intensive production – which spares the pastures. More on animal welfare
Is your cashmere certified?
Not yet. We are working towards independent certification under GOTS and organic livestock criteria. Until then we rely on traceability from the animal to the yarn. Our values