I don't "get" cashmere

[BikeRunSki]

A few years ago I got some money fir Christmas, which I spent on a cashmere jumper. Lovely, soft, nice colour and shape, looked expensive (and was, £100 in sale, it was John Lewis)

I loved it so much that the following year DM gave me a similar cashmere jumper for my birthday/Christmas (birthday a few weeks before Christmas) in a different colour. Also lovely. (Jigsaw)

By the following winter both were worn through at the elbows and had tiny random holes in - not all over, but still some. Despite one of them having reinforced elbows! Both really unwearable, elbows too far gone to darn or patch.

DM now on about getting me another for this birthday/Christmas. No!!! Cashmere is lovely and soft, but I don't "get" spending £100s on jumpers that wear out in no time!

I hate synthetic fibres, I find lambswool bobbles (even the Woolovers cashmere/merino blend) and merino is too clingy.

Where can I get hard wearing, natural fibre jumpers from? Do I really have to spend £250 at Brora? Is their cashmere better quality?

Not necessarily, I've washed Sainsburys, Asda and Uniqlo cashmere by hand. You could still play Fuzzy Felt with it afterwards.

Yes to moths but also..

There are lots of different styles of cashmere knit around and some are more delicate than others. There are lots of "gauzy" cashmere knits around at the moment, they are kind of see through and have a loose weave. These last nanoseconds IME before becoming misshapen, bobbled or holey. Whereas the denser, more old fashioned style of knit lasts much better. Though you do have to cold wash it or it ends up fit only for my 4yo bitter experience

I still don't see how you get worn elbows unless you are resting them on tables all day long.

I've J Lewis cashmere jumper which I've had for 5-6 years now. Sadly the moths got it so it has holes in the front but I still wear it around the house with a dark Uniqlo vest underneath.

Moths evidently like clothes that have been worn, so it's best to put them in moth-proof bags or never put your jumpers away unless you have washed them.

I am mortified that a Jigsaw merino jumper has 2 holes in - on the front of course- never worn, but tried on a few times.

I am super miffed that as far as I can tell tesco is not doing any f &f cashmere this year. I have been buying at least one piece a year for quite a few years now and was looking forward to increasing my collection. It machine washes like a dream and is the only wool I can wear without itching like a flea circus.

I am officially unmiffed and nearly the owner of a red cardigan and two jumpers. Used up masses of Tesco club card points so they cost next to nothing. and the sun is shining. Happy day.

I was going to suggest Tesco too. Really good.

I think the elbows going might be a thing. Trinity and Susannah described the problem in one of their books and suggested getting the sleeves cut of to make it a summer top. I'm guessing they are talking high end cashmere not Tesco as well.

So there you go. Cheaper the better on this one.

You could try sewing on elbow patches to your other jumpers, if they are in fairly good nick otherwise? It's quite a trendy look but you'd need to be quite good with a needle and thread.

Enjoy your new cashmere! It seems to fly off the shelves in our Tescos.

Yes, I've had a few things from Tesco over the years too, always lovely. Have ordered the red cowl neck this year. I've become obsessed with cowl necks since cutting my hair short.

I've got a range of john lewis, boden and brora jumpers i've had ages, the only issues i've had are a few armpit holes that I've stitched up, the oldest ones are at least 10 years + now, although recent boden cashmere i've not been happy with and returned a few for fluffing and matting after the first wash.