Product Guide

Working with Cashmere: A Buyer's Guide to Quality and Sourcing

Felix Zheng
#cashmere#luxury#sourcing#quality#yarn

Quick Summary

Everything you need to know about sourcing cashmere knitwear, from fiber grades to production partners.

Cashmere represents the pinnacle of knitwear luxury. But sourcing quality cashmere requires understanding the fiber, grading system, and production process. This guide covers what to look for when sourcing cashmere knitwear.

Understanding Cashmere Quality

Fiber Diameter

Cashmere quality is primarily determined by fiber diameter:

Lower micron count = softer, more expensive, and more delicate.

Fiber Length

Longer fibers produce stronger, more durable yarn:

Color and Purity

Natural white cashmere is the most valuable because it takes dye best. Grey and brown cashmere are less versatile for color options.

Cashmere Sources

Inner Mongolia (90% of Global Supply)

Inner Mongolia produces the world’s finest cashmere. The region’s harsh winters produce goats with the finest undercoats.

Other Sources

Cashmere Yarn Types

Pure Cashmere (100%)

Cashmere Blends

Production Considerations

Gauge Selection

Cashmere works best at 7GG-14GG:

Care Requirements

Cashmere requires dry cleaning or hand washing. Include clear care instructions with every garment.

Pilling

All cashmere pills to some degree. Higher quality (longer staple) fibers pill less. Educate customers on proper care and provide pill removers.

Cost Breakdown

Cashmere GradeYarn Cost/kgRelative Garment Cost
Entry-level$60-801.0x
Standard$80-1201.3-1.6x
Premium (ultra-fine)$120-200+1.8-2.5x

A 7GG cashmere sweater requires approximately 250-350g of yarn, so yarn cost alone ranges from $15-70 per garment.

Ethical Considerations

Our Cashmere Capability

We source cashmere yarns through established supply chains and offer pure cashmere and cashmere blend options for our clients.


Interested in cashmere for your collection? Contact us to discuss options.

Interested in discussing your knitwear sourcing needs?

Contact Us

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about product guide.

What is the MOQ for knitwear production?
JIERQI offers a 100-piece MOQ per design, significantly lower than the industry standard of 500-1000 pieces. This makes it ideal for emerging brands, capsule collections, and market testing.
How can I start sourcing knitwear from China?
Contact us with your design specifications or tech pack. We'll recommend yarn, gauge, and construction options. Sampling takes 7-10 days. Once approved, bulk production takes 30-45 days. Get started.
What is the difference between OEM and ODM?
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing): you provide complete designs, we produce exactly. ODM (Original Design Manufacturing): our design team helps develop your collection. Choose OEM for proprietary designs, ODM if you need design support. Compare OEM vs ODM.
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