Cashmere is a fine hair fibre, closer in nature to your own hair than to a woven cloth. Treat it as gently as you would your hair and it will stay soft for decades. Our Elsie jumper and Aster scarf are spun from grade A cashmere in the Scottish Borders, and every piece is washed by hand before it leaves the mill.
Wash less, and by hand
Cashmere does not need washing after every wear. Air your jumper or scarf between outings and it will stay fresh for longer, because the fibre sheds odour far more slowly than cotton or synthetics. We suggest a gentle wash every six to eight wears, or sooner if a mark or a smell tells you it is time.
When you do wash it, use cool water, no warmer than 30 degrees, with a small amount of wool wash. Let the piece soak for ten minutes, then swirl it slowly with your hands. Never rub, wring or hold it under a running tap, all of which pull at the fibres. Rinse in water at the same temperature, since a sudden change from warm to cold can shrink and stiffen the knit.
Dry it flat, store it folded
To dry, lay the piece on a clean towel and roll the towel up gently to press the water out. Never wring it. Then shape the knit by hand and dry it flat, well away from radiators, direct sun and anything that could pull it out of shape while it is damp.
Store cashmere folded rather than hung, because a hanger can stretch the shoulders over a season. A cotton bag keeps out dust and lets the fibre breathe, and a little cedar nearby helps to keep moths away. Put the pieces away clean at the end of winter, never with a mark still in them.
Pilling, moths and repairs
Small pills in the first weeks are normal, short loose fibres working their way out of the yarn rather than a fault, and they settle as the piece is worn. Lift them away with a cashmere comb and resist the urge to pull at them with your fingers. Moths prefer dark, still drawers and knitwear put away unwashed, so wash your knits at the end of the season and store them clean. If anything happens, send the piece to the studio. We mend every Avenell piece for free, for as long as you own it.
