How to Tell If It's Real Cashmere Yarn

Capra hircus laniger, or the cashmere goat.

Cashmere yarn is a luxury fiber made from the downy undercoat of a Capra hircus laniger goat. The yarn gets its name from the region in India, Kashmir, where the species originated. The yarn is expensive because one goat produces only about 8 ounces of cashmere fiber a year, or enough for a scarf. As with many luxury items, be wary of bargain-priced cashmere yarn.

Instructions

1. Check the label. The Federal Trade Commission requires that cashmere products, including yarn, carry accurate labels. Only yarn that is made from 100 percent cashmere can be labeled as such. Also, yarn manufacturers cannot label anything as cashmere if the fiber exceeds 19 microns.

2. Hold the yarn in your hand. It should feel soft, almost melting into your hand, according to Clara Parkes in "The Knitter's Book of Yarn."

3. Hold the skein (the classic, oblong shape that yarn comes in) up to a light. The color should be vibrant but not shiny.

4. Check the gauge on finished items. Loosely knit garments will feel soft, but cashmere will feel soft at a tight gauge.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy from respected retailers and a brand that you trust.

References

• "The Knitter's Book of Yarn"; Clara Parkes; 2007
• Ask Real Simple: What Do I Need to Consider When Buying Cashmere?