winter woolies advice please

[thriftychicken]

i have a reasonable amount to spend on jumpers and cardigans this year but i know that next year i will be needing to be very thrifty. i want to buy things that will stay good the longest . I first thought that judging by the price tag , cashmere was the way to go but now im confused , does merino stay newer longer ?
what should i look for ?

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I had a nightmare trying to wash merino. Never bought it since. I've stuck with poly/wool blends and just resigned myself to mild bobbling.

I've bought a couple of lambswool from Woolovers.
Washed with Woolite on a 30c handwash cycle before I put them away. I Might wear one tomorrow but so far, they feel nice.

(I think they were 2 for £45 )

not sure about lambswool as the one of dh that i borrowed was really itchy on me !
so , is cashmere not really a good investment then ?

I've always found that merino washes best, but always wash with Woolite or other "delicate wash" liquid.

I think it depends on the quality of either - cheap cashmere will generally go bobbly, while I have expensive cashmere (Eric Bompard, Chinti & Parker) that still looks basically new after lots of wear, and in the more mid-range end of things, Boden cashmere is pretty damn good and machine-washable on a wool cycle. Merino is a bit less variable, I think. Usually wash it with Woolite and it comes out fine.