Anything knitted can be crafted in cashmere – this is the unwavering conviction here at LISA YANG. Our Cashmere Lab is the essence of the label, where we revisit the fibre, time and time again, in search of new innovations that help us refine the characteristics of cashmere and reimagine what the fibre can become. From the tactile act of extracting the hairs to the silky smooth caress of the finished garment, we approach cashmere as an exercise in innovation – blending artisan expertise, time-honoured craftsmanship and modern production techniques into a singular exploration of cashmere.
Navigate the menu to learn more about cashmere, our various knitting techniques and how to care for your pieces.
To secure the highest quality and longevity in our collections, we exclusively use hand-selected, Grade A cashmere fibres. Transparency is a key priority at LISA YANG and we can proudly trace the origins of our cashmere garments back to the fibres, which are sourced directly from our herders.
Our 100% cashmere composition is the starting point of each collection, and every piece in this category is crafted from organic cashmere. Our factory is certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), a universally recognised, leading standard for organic textiles including environmentally oriented, technical and social criteria, and so is the cashmere yarn that we use in our collections.
Organic cashmere indicates that there are no synthetic fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides used on the land where the goats graze; no harmful dyes involved in the production process; and that the water is carefully treated before it is released back into the environment. Additionally, there are social standards in place to ensure fair treatment of the workers in the supply chain.
Our journey starts on the high plateaus of Inner Mongolia, where the fine, downy hairs of the cashmere goat are meticulously combed by hand. These delicate fibres are then spun into yarns, knitted into fabrics, and crafted into contemporary pieces that form a complete cashmere wardrobe. Every step is a testament to precision – from measuring the fibre lengths to adjusting the yarn counts and shaping the silhouettes with careful consideration to form and function, demonstrating the intricate artisanry behind the product.
Capra Hircus goats (cashmere goats), native to Inner Mongolia, are acclimated to the harsh, extremely cold winters they live through. To protect from temperatures as low as -30°C, the goats grow very soft, fine and downy hair below their long and coarse outer coat. As temperatures rise in the spring, herders carefully hand comb the goats to extract the fine fibres, which would otherwise shed naturally. Cashmere goats produce a limited volume of these fibres each year – 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 lightweight and able to adjust to shifting temperatures. During winter, the air chambers trap heat from the body to prevent it from escaping, and insulates the wearer over eight times better than wool. In warmer months, the hygroscopic fibre wicks moisture away from the skin and creates a cooling effect, which extends the wearability of cashmere well into summer.
Gauge refers to how tightly the cashmere has been knitted, which is measured in stitches per inch. The higher the gauge number, the finer the piece. An 18 gauge sweater is considered a featherweight, fine knit piece, whilst a 5 gauge sweater has a visibly thicker look and feel. 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 hairs are naturally fine, they benefit from the increased strength of the twisted thread. Higher plies add to the fabric’s weight and warmth, but do not indicate additional quality.
We believe that you should be able to wear our pieces for decades to come, and through the simple steps outlined below you can ensure a long-lasting cashmere wardrobe.
You don’t need to wash your cashmere after each wear but do make sure that your pieces are kept clean to avoid attracting moths. For our plain knit and fine knit pieces, we recommend hand washing with a special cashmere detergent, or using a washing machine with a delicate, no spin hand wash or wool setting at a maximum temperature of 30°C. We always recommend placing your cashmere piece in a laundry bag before putting it in the washing machine. If there are any stains or more substantial cleaning required, we recommend using a dry cleaning service. For our brushed and bouclé cashmere pieces, we recommend professional cleaning services only.
Dry your cashmere by laying it flat on a towel, rolling it loosely, then pressing it lightly and allowing it to air dry flat. Avoid hanging your cashmere to reduce the risk of stretching.
To remove creases from your cashmere, turn the piece inside out and lay it 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 handle face and the garment.
Store your cashmere away from direct sunlight, in a cool and dark drawer or shelf space. Keep your piece folded as hanging it will risk it losing its shape. Cedarwood balls are a natural repellent of moths – place them close to your piece and replace them annually. For longer periods of storing, keep your cashmere in a breathable bag.
Some pilling is normal over time, due to the natural friction of everyday wear. To remove any pills that appear, lay the piece flat and brush it using the LISA YANG cashmere comb.
If you have any questions on how to care for your cashmere, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at customerservice@lisa-yang.com.
Our plain knits, with their soft and smooth hand feel, are the starting point of each collection. They come as year-round, 12 gauge pieces for everyday wear, and heavy knit, 3-7 gauge pieces that are optimal for the colder months.
Our cable knit cashmere is presented in a range of weights – from 5-7 gauge heavy knit pieces, to 12 gauge pieces for year-round wear. The intertwining cable patterns create tactile depth and texture.
Our brushed cashmere is the result of years of refining both the washing process and the delicate techniques used to achieve its supremely soft and cloud-like texture. It is explored in lighter hues and silhouettes in summer, and sumptuous sweaters in darker shades in winter.
Our open knit cashmere is reminiscent of a crochet-like pattern, with extended and pronounced loops that lend motion and drape to an otherwise heavier weight yarn. The technique is presented in spring and summer months, with pieces that are designed for warm weather sensibilities.
Our bouclé cashmere is characterized by its looped and curled yarn that provides a rich, tactile texture. The surface has a supremely soft hand feel, allowing for nuanced colourations and a depth of tone.
The full needle Milano fabric is crafted by interweaving two sets of yarn in a diagonal knit. This technique creates a fine vertical rib on one side and a diagonal pattern on the reverse, resulting in a more robust fabric. The added structure and shape make it ideal for creating knitwear with the sharpness of a weave, like our pieces inspired by tailoring.
Exemplifying our singular exploration of cashmere, the sparkle knit pieces are plain knits infused with glimmering threads, lending them a glittery appearance whilst retaining the soft hand feel of the cashmere.
Inspired by the terry loop synonymous with towelling, the terry knit technique allows for an incredibly soft, light and voluminous fabric texture.
Drawing from our Scandinavian heritage, the Fair Isle pieces combine jacquard knitting techniques and modern iterations of traditional patterns and colours.
