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Cashmere cable knit sweaters built like the old stuff

post #1 of 7
6/13/12 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
I'm looking to buy a cashmere cable knit sweater, preferably made like the old Scottish stuff that everyone keeps raving about. Lockie's Heather Wallace store seemed promising, but 42" is too big for my 36" inch chest. Hawick apparently does MTO, and has 50 different colors, but they charge $595 for the 2-ply Montreux and $675 for the chunkier Vinar. That's a bit more than I wanted to pay. Anyone have suggestions? I'd like to stay under $400.
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post #2 of 7
6/13/12 at 3:26pm
Are those Hawick prices for MTO or RTW? Either way, it seems the really good stuff does end up costing that much these days.

I bought a stack of Ballantyne on sale that was their new stuff BUT made with some barrels of vintage wool from their archives - it's amazing wool that feels softer than most cashmere and is thick as fuck.
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post #3 of 7
6/13/12 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loathing View Post

Are those Hawick prices for MTO or RTW? Either way, it seems the really good stuff does end up costing that much these days.
I bought a stack of Ballantyne on sale that was their new stuff BUT made with some barrels of vintage wool from their archives - it's amazing wool that feels softer than most cashmere and is thick as fuck.

RTW and MTO prices are the same, but you can't return MTO. One of their US reps, Esta, was incredibly helpful though and offered to send sample sweaters and swatches.

Those Ballantynes sound great. Where did you get them and how much did they cost?
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post #4 of 7
6/13/12 at 3:43pm
I bought them at Harrods in London, at about £200 a pop, but that was on sale (can't remember the reduction %, but roughly half price). It seems at full price that Hawick would be a better bet.
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post #5 of 7
6/13/12 at 3:54pm
If you're looking for smaller sizes you're probably better off with an Italian manufacurer. Loro Piana, Piacenza, AvonCelli, Fedeli, Brunello Cucinelli and all the other companies are more likely to offer these sizes contrary to the British manufacturers. Unfortunately their prices are also considerably higher and you're looking at 1k+$ for a thicker 2 or 4 ply quality.

I have both cashmere from the UK and Italy and like both. The sweaters from the UK are thicker, but the Italians mostly offer a wider range of colours and styles. Quality wise there aren't any differences to worry about.

I'd be cautious with MTM knitwear though unless the person you're working with really knows his stuff. I've tried it once and it was a mild desaster.
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post #6 of 7
6/13/12 at 4:11pm
Derek, Will has a cable-knit Laing on his site in an XS/38.
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post #7 of 7
6/13/12 at 4:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Germanicus View Post

If you're looking for smaller sizes you're probably better off with an Italian manufacurer. Loro Piana, Piacenza, AvonCelli, Fedeli, Brunello Cucinelli and all the other companies are more likely to offer these sizes contrary to the British manufacturers.

I was thinking about Italian, but felt like I'd ultimately wouldn't be happy unless it was one of those more robust feeling knits from the UK. I'd feel differently if this wasn't a cable knit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by F. Corbera View Post

Derek, Will has a cable-knit Laing on his site in an XS/38.

Oh wow, that's perfect. Unless someone suggests something better, I may go with that. Thanks.
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