Cashmere Jumper

I think it is warmer than merino. Alpaca is also a nice fabric and some of the colours are gorgeous.

Most importantly for me Shinamae it’s warm but not itchy! I can’t wear wool, or even items with some wool in, it drives me crazy with itching, but cashmere is lovely.

Cashmere is lighter and softer than even merino wool and feels thinner under top clothes for the amount of warmth it gives, so you get warmth without bulk. It looks and feels luxurious.

Right, you’ll have to excuse my ignorance on the subject of cashmere but what is so wonderful about it? This is a serious question I would genuinely like to know why it is worth spending quite a vast amount of money(Well a vast amount to me ?) on a jumper/sweater (is there a difference?)

Agree my M&S ones ended up with little holes. Don't buy from them now.
I buy Boden and JL and always 1 size up, just in case I shrink them.
Wash in Woolite, wash as cool in machine short wash.

OH is happy to drive me there as long as he can have a plate of their roast potatoes!

House of Bruar gets my vote every time.

House of Bruar always have lots of cashmere choices. Not the cheapest but lovely quality and wear.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202111/medium-971771-3b19872e-4e4c-45f5-b6e0-26583c9be514.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202111/medium-57186-90f29d25-a71a-405e-b0e5-eaaa30c5839d.jpeg

Urmstongran

I’m off to Google ‘Turtle Doves’ Maw!
Bad enough you got me into ‘Safari’ a couple of years ago.
Good job I don’t buy many clothes. ...
?

They also do fingerless gloves in wonderful wacky stripes, cosy bedsocks, neckwamers, wraps, scarves and the most exquisite baby blankets.
I have to admit I do have a serious Turtle Doves habit but they are so ethical (as I keep telling myself! )
The jackets are unlined and make a nice alternative to a cardi over a roll neck and the ponchos are perfect for Autumn or milder Winter days such as we have had recently. .
End of advertisement

Just did a Google, EMW still do cashmere jumpers under the name Lochmere. Seem very competitively priced.

Edinburgh Woollens did beautiful cashmere, I don’t know if you can get them still on line. Over the years I’ve found most makes have seemed a thinner product.
I always hand wash, and then roll in a towel to remove excess water, then dry flat.
Never use conditioner as it matts the fibres. Every summer I put mine in vacuum packs for moth proof storage.

We're off to the House of Bruar on Monday with an open mind. Anything could happen...
At the very least a slab of the Paradise Cake!

Whitewavemark2

I use a wool and silk wash and put it through the wool cycle in the washing machine. I reckon the oldest I’ve got is at least 25 years old and the youngest purchased in last years winter sale. All come out like new.

Never ever use fabric conditioner on wool???

I did everything right with the Woolovers jumpers I bought (they were wool, not cashmere) and they shrunk.
Apparently it was my fault even though I followed their instructions to the letter.
The Letter!

The best cashmere jumper I bought was from Johnstons but that was many years ago. I'm not sure if they're doing them now.

I thought it looked wrong sheer...

I used to buy M&s cashmere, good quality, machine washed beautifully, but then the quality and availability of the styles and colours I liked went down hill. I then bought from Woolovers, lovely quality, equally machine washable, but I haven't bought from either supplier for a couple of years and Woolover's range has got smaller.

I was wondering where else to look... so glad of everyone's suggestions. I don't think cashmere can be beaten for shear warmth and durability.

Pure Collection top quality, but expensive. At the moment there is 20% off. They wash perfectly even when machine washed.
I will investigate Turtle Doves as I lived in Shrewsbury for many years.

That emoji was blonde on my screen then went brunette after I posted - does my iPhone know I’m not a true blonde ?

I buy from Pure. Huge selection of styles and colours. You can machine wash them but they do shrink a bit. I have a cashmere comb for pilling

Agree the M&S ones are no good this year ( I sent mine back), woollovers I’ve bought in previous years have been fairly mixed in quality - tending towards poor, I now buy Pringles at outlet sales or Brora second hand. They last and never seem to pill, lose shape or softness. (Cashmere addict ??‍♀️)

I use a wool and silk wash and put it through the wool cycle in the washing machine. I reckon the oldest I’ve got is at least 25 years old and the youngest purchased in last years winter sale. All come out like new.

Never ever use fabric conditioner on wool???

Eucalan. Sounds an excellent product. Off to Google it. Thanks.

I’m off to Google ‘Turtle Doves’ Maw!
Bad enough you got me into ‘Safari’ a couple of years ago.
Good job I don’t buy many clothes. ...
?

StephLP I buy 1 Cashmere jumper a year and rotate the wear so I usually have 6/7 on the go! A good one will give you years of wear if looked after!

Uniqlo are excellent and John Lewis tend to be fairly good.
I have never found M&S to be that good.

Some of my best have been from TKMaxx.

Always use a cashmere comb and only hand wash.
I use Eucalan anti moth lavender wash, it’s a no rinse hand wash that leaves your woollens feeling and smelling wonderful, no fabric conditioner necessary.

I used to wear my great grandmothers beautiful black cashmere jumper. It was at least 60 years old and looked like new. It was washed with the greatest care. Must have been very expensive when bought in the 1930s.
It was still going strong last time I saw it. DD bagged it!

Lands End corduroy trousers:
Two pairs of regular length are just about long enough, the third pair are about 6" too long