Cashmere Sweater Hierarchy

[aristoi bcn]

Any place to buy Scott & Charters cashmere or its now only sold under Begg's brand? Bought recently an orange rollneck at Mettez which has that dry hand Iove. Unfortunately that was the only colour available in mi size.

 

[coloRLOw]

My wife's barrie, still pile after one or twe wash.

 

[Johnny80]

View attachment 1733508
View attachment 1733510
View attachment 1733512

My wife's barrie, still pile after one or twe wash.

Try a depilling comb, it should do the trick on those areas..

 

[FPB]

I know it's not cashmere, but does anyone know if alpaca/baby alpaca is a good alternative to cashmere? I'm looking at some of the stuff made in Peru on eBay. Thanks.

 

[dieworkwear]

I know it's not cashmere, but does anyone know if alpaca/baby alpaca is a good alternative to cashmere? I'm looking at some of the stuff made in Peru on eBay. Thanks.

Alpaca tends to be a more slippery fiber. I wouldn't call it an alternative to cashmere, but also wouldn't call it worse. Just different.

 

[TheShetlandSweater]

Any place to buy Scott & Charters cashmere or its now only sold under Begg's brand? Bought recently an orange rollneck at Mettez which has that dry hand Iove. Unfortunately that was the only colour available in mi size.

I have no clue if this is true, but for whatever reason I have it in my head that HN White knitwear is Scott and Charters.

 

[JamaisAssez]

I know it's not cashmere, but does anyone know if alpaca/baby alpaca is a good alternative to cashmere? I'm looking at some of the stuff made in Peru on eBay. Thanks.

Alpaca/baby alpaca is certainly not as soft as cashmere, but as their fibers are longer the knit is less susceptible to pilling. The fibers are also hypoallergenic and hollow-centered (excellent heat retention properties).

I bought two alpaca sweaters on eBay but later sold them because I found the construction very mediocre and inferior to Scottish or Italian knits. One of the baby alpaca knits I had (made in Peru by La Vicunita) was not colourfast: when I was handwashing the jumper and removing it from the tub, the water looked like blood.

There's also royal alpaca and royal baby alpaca.

 

[double00]

alpaca is more hairlike while cashmere tends to be * woolier * ( qualitatively speaking ) . so where cash will have more body and bounce and spring , alpaca will show stretch over time ( i think *slippery* is a good descriptor )

 

[RJman]

alpaca is more hairlike while cashmere tends to be * woolier * ( qualitatively speaking ) . so where cash will have more body and bounce and spring , alpaca will show stretch over time ( i think *slippery* is a good descriptor )

Yeah. If you want cashmere the only comparator is vicuna and that’s really ridiculously expensive. Mohair (angora)
and alpaca are hairier in feel as is camel. In NZ they tried to sell possum hair garments that are soft but closer to rabbit I think in terms of pilling and such. Otherwise just get lambswool but good lambswool sweaters are also hard to find.

Scott and Charters used to do some private label work like I believe some a and s stuff. Not sure if they still do.

 

[double00]

i often think of alpaca as the linen of protein fibers ...

 

[RJman]

i often think of alpaca as the linen of protein fibers ...

It's cool, it's just different in texture and feel from cashmere. I love alpaca coats, but those are wovens rather than knits.

 

[Verve]

Are there any Lockie cashmere turtleneck retailers in the USA or is this the only place to pick some up: https://teviotdalemills.com/products/william-lockie-oxton-roll-collar-sweater-in-black-cashmere ?

 

[bullethead]

Is there any Lockie cashmere turtleneck retailers in the USA or is this the only place to pick some up: https://teviotdalemills.com/products/william-lockie-oxton-roll-collar-sweater-in-black-cashmere ?

other uk options are A Hume and Westaway

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Update - Lockie and Johnstons of Elgin and Glenoak


Lockie vary from excellent to ordinary

Years later my 6 ply 8 gauge heavy Lockie cashmere sweater is substantial.
Not one pill can be seen.
It very very good.

The 6 ply 5 gauge Lockie pill a bit.
Not hefty like the 8 gauge.
It decent

The 2 ply Lockie use hard dry cashmere,
but it pill a lot and look worn.

my Johnstons of Elgin not vary in quality
Me have about 8 cashmere 2 ply sweater from 10 year ago from shop.
They all moderate pill and very soft
The cashmere feel very processed.
Not highend cashmere made to last.
Lockie is more good me think

Glenoak 8 ply 5 gauge cashmere sweater - made in Scotland
It very very bad
Said to be made from finest cashmere.
It badly pill after first wear.
5 months later it look like old rag.
It have about 500 pills and many snags.
The 8 ply feel like a 2 or 3 ply.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Me sometimes wear a Ballantyne cashmere sweater hidden under a scratchy Austrian boiled wool Dachstein in winter.
The Ballantyne has been abused and scraped under that Dachstein.
The Ballantyne still look brilliant and no pills.
It great cashmere made to last for generations.

Democratization of cashmere brought the end to Ballantyne greatness.
Ballantyne cashmere sweaters all had noticeable pills after the 1980's.

Me still say the Loro Piana is excellent.
Good cashmere supply kept top quality.
Me never see a pill on Loro Piana sweaters.

Me not think much of Brunello Cucinelli
Not high class with star quality like Loro Piana

Me have a thick Borrelli cashmere sweater.
Me suspect it made by Loro Piana.
It dry cashmere.
It never pill at all.
It beautiful and great cashmere item.
A landmark cashmere piece.
It bullet proof

Me wear a heavy Malo cashmere sweater.
It very very good.
Solid and not pill at all.
Still it not compare with old Ballantyne 6 ply sweater,
nothing compare to that


Some good cashmere jewels are made today,
but they are difficult to find.
Quality can vary a lot,
so it can be luck,
but some good supplier like Loro Piana and Barrie for Hermes are reliable imo.