Not all cashmere is equal. Two factors drive quality: grade (fibre quality) and ply (how yarns are twisted).
Cashmere grades
Grade A is the finest and longest fibre (around 14–15.5 microns, ~36mm long) — the softest, with a fine and light hand-feel. Grade B and C are thicker and shorter, so they feel coarser and pill more easily.
What ply means
Ply is the number of strands twisted into one yarn. Two-ply means two strands twisted together — stronger and more resilient than single-ply. Ply describes construction, not thickness.
How to judge quality
Press the knit and watch it spring back. Quality cashmere recovers quickly, feels soft (not slippery) and has a tight, even stitch.
See our cashmere and pure wool pieces, made for everyday wear.
FAQ
What do cashmere grades mean?
Grades describe the fineness and length of the fibre. Finer, longer fibres feel softer and pill less; shorter, coarser fibres pill sooner.
Is two-ply cashmere better than single-ply?
Ply is how many yarns are twisted together. Two-ply is denser, warmer and holds shape well; single-ply is lighter and finer. Which is best depends on the piece.
ZHILIFS cashmere: the actual numbers
These are the specifications we knit to in our own factory in Chongqing, China. We design, knit and sell direct, so these figures come from our production sheets rather than a supplier's catalogue.
- Fibre — 100% cashmere
- Gauge — 9, 12 or 357 needle, depending on the style
- Yarn — 2-ply 16s or 2-ply 26s
- Weight (XL) — 300–500 g, tolerance ±20 g
- Knit structures — cable, fisherman's rib, links-and-links
Lower needle counts (9 and 12) give a chunkier, more textured piece; 357-needle pieces are the finest and lightest, and feel smoothest against the skin.