Discover LISA YANG’s cashmere lab and learn more about our different knit techniques and cashmere care. As an innovative design house, we experiment, evolve and enhance luxury techniques to create a wardrobe made entirely from cashmere.
Navigate in the Cashmere Lab via the menu and learn more about washing your cashmere, storing, pilling, and our many cashmere techniques such as brushed cashmere, fine knit and bouclé.
Capra Hircus goats (cashmere goats), native to Inner Mongolia, are acclimatised to the harsh, extremely cold winters they live through. To protect from temperatures as low as -30°C, the goats grow a very soft, fine and smooth downy hair below their long and relatively coarse hair. As temperatures rise in the Spring, herders carefully hand-comb the goats to collect the fine fibres, which would otherwise shed naturally. Cashmere goats produce a limited volume of these fibres each year, no more than 200g per goat. An average sweater requires two to five goats’ hair for production, illustrating the exclusive nature of cashmere.
The longer the fibre length, the better - longer fibres will reduce the volume of pilling as shorter fibres more easily loosen from the surface of the piece. Cashmere fibres are very fine - with an average diameter of less than 19 microns, compared to human hair which is 60-120 microns in diameter.
Although extremely fine, cashmere fibres are hollow, making them light weight and able to adjust to temperature. During winter, the air chambers trap heat from the body to prevent it escaping, and insulates the wearer over eight times better than wool. In warmer months, the hygroscopic cashmere wicks moisture away from the skin and creates a cooling effect and making it comfortable in all climates.
The gauge refers to how tightly the cashmere has been knitted which is measured by stitches per inch. The higher the gauge number, the finer the piece. A 18-gauge sweater is considered a featherweight, fine knit piece, whilst a 5-gauge sweater has a visibly thicker look and feel.
The ply refers to the number of threads twined together to make a single piece of cashmere yarn. If two threads are combined, this is known as 2 ply cashmere, and three twisted threads are referred to as 3-ply, etc. Since cashmere is a fine hair, it benefits from the increased strength in the twisted thread. Higher plies such as 4-ply add additional weight and warmth, but do not indicate additional quality.
We are proud that all LISA YANG collections meet the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for cashmere, which assures 100% organic cashmere. Through certified, responsible environmental and social practices, our cashmere and the production processes are held to the highest, accountable standards. We believe that you should be able to wear your pieces for decades to come, and through small, simple everyday steps, you can continue the care of your LISA YANG cashmere.
You won’t need to wash your cashmere after each wear but do ensure your pieces are kept clean to avoid attracting any moths. For our plain knits and fine knits, we recommend handwashing at home using a special cashmere wash. Alternatively, using the washing machine with a delicate, hand wash or wool setting at a maximum temperature of 30°C and no spin. We always recommend placing your cashmere pieces in a laundry bag before putting them in the washing machine. If there are any stains or more substantial cleaning required, we recommend using a dry cleaning service. For our brushed cashmere and bouclé cashmere, as well as our cashmere silk and silk styles, we recommend dry cleaning only.
Dry your cashmere by laying the piece flat on a towel, rolling it loosely, lightly press and then allow to air-dry flat. Avoid hanging to reduce any risk of stretching. Please note that we recommend professional cleaning services for our brushed and bouclé cashmere pieces.
To remove creases from your cashmere, turn the piece inside-out and lay flat. Turn the iron to the lowest heat setting and avoid direct contact between the iron and the cashmere by laying a damp cloth between them. If using a hand-held steamer, keep some distance between the hot face and the cashmere.
Store your cashmere in a cool, preferably dark drawer or shelf space. Keep your piece folded, hanging will risk it losing its shape. Cedar wood balls are a natural repellent to moths, replace them annually. For longer periods of storage, use a breathable bag to hold your cashmere.
Some pilling is normal for any cashmere garments, due to the friction of everyday wear against the loose fibre on the piece’s surface. Using the LISA YANG cashmere comb, lay the piece flat and gently brush away any pills.
Write to us at customerservice@lisa-yang.com if you have any questions on caring for your cashmere.
Our plain knits come as all-year wear 12 gauge pieces for everyday and season-less wardrobe signatures, mid-weight 7 gauge are developed for their warming and reassuring hand-feel, as well as heavy-weight 3 to 5 gauge pieces are optimal for the colder months.
Our cable-knit cashmere group is presented in a range of weights - from the 5 gauge, heavy-weight pieces, to a mid-weight 7 gauge, and the all-year wear 12 gauge pieces. The contrasting cable panels allow a depth and rich texture.
Our brushed cashmere has been in development for multiple years - refining the wash specifications and technique used to 'brush' the cashmere. The brushed finish is created using a specialist knitting mechanism that gives it it's supremely soft and cloud-like texture.
Our open-knit cashmere is reminiscent of a crochet-like pattern - with extended and pronounced loops that lend a motion and drape to an otherwise heavier weight yarn. The group is presented in Spring/Summer months, in pieces that are designed for warm weather sensibility.
Our bouclé cashmere is characterised by its looped and curled yarn that provides a rich, tactile texture. The surface has a supremely soft hand-feel, nuanced by colour and allowing for a depth of tone.
The full-needle milano fabric is constructed by combining two sets of yarn that are knitted diagonally, this gives one face a fine vertical rib, and the other side a diagonal pattern. This allows for a more robust fabric that is well-placed to give structure and form to tailoring pieces.
Subtly sparkled thread is added to our plain-knit cashmere to give a sparkled appearance whilst retaining the integrity and feel of the cashmere.
Inspired by the Terry loop that's synonymous with a towelling-texture, the Terry knit technique allows for an incredibly soft, voluminous yet light-weight hand-feel.
Often inspired by nordic and Scandinavian patterns - our Fair Isle pieces are a continued expression of the experimental nature of LISA YANG collections. This group showcases the use of pattern and colour across an innovative cashmere knitting technique.
