Cashmere America
a grower-owned cooperative dedicated to maximizing income for
North American farmers and ranchers by producing "Classic Homegrown Luxury"
American Cashmere yarns of superior quality.
Cashmere America is now out of business. All yarns are limited to supplies on hand. I bought all of the patterns and yarns I could get my hands on, yea!
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Cashmere America Yarns Discontinued, for pattern reference only
"Cashmere America Cooperative is owned and operated by those in America raising the Cashmere producing goats. It is an organization set up for the purpose of processing and marketing American Cashmere.
Started in 1991 by a small group of dedicated farmers and ranchers in Colorado and Texas, the Co-Op has since grown to include farms from Maine to Washington, and from Canada to New Mexico. Cashmere goats have found their niches in America, from pasture management and weed control to providers of meat in specialty markets, to 4H youth projects, and especially as a source of one of the most luxurious fibers in the world, with American Cashmere the rarest.
As an organization, Cashmere America Cooperative recognizes that consistence in quality makes for a premium finished product. That is just one of the reasons dedicated growers all across America have joined together in the Co-Op to establish high and consistent grading standards for their fiber.
The word "cashmere" does not describe a breed, it defines the fiber. Cashmere is the downy undercoat of goats. With careful selection for fiber traits, many types of goats including dairy breeds and pygmy goats can be used in cashmere development programs. Cashmere is expensive partially because its remarkable softness and warmth place it among the world's great luxuries and partially because the goat to garment process is complicated and expensive. While sheep and mohair goats produce pounds of fleece, a cashmere goat's annual output is calculated in ounces. To create a world-class product, each fleece must be classed by color, fiber length, and fineness, then the cashmere down must be separated from the coarse guard hair which surrounds it. The de-hairing must be complete but gentle so that the delicate fibers are not damaged. Because of the small size of individual American cashmere herds, pooling fiber is a logical method of creating useable products from raw fleece. Cashmere America is the national grower's cooperative which makes it happen. With experienced fiber classers on staff and access to the world's most sophisticated de-hairing equipment, Cashmere America can ensure that the cashmere which reaches the user is a product of consistently high quality, handled professionally throughout the production process.
We hope you will notice our care in the garments you make from our yarns."
"The key to caring for handmade Cashmere treasures is in the hand washing, using the SAME water temperature in the wash as well as in the rinse. You may use a Hot with a Hot, a Warm with a Warm, a Cool with a Cool...do not change water temperatures mid-process.
Mild soaps are recommended such as Dawn or Ivory. Gently swirl the garment through the water, carefully press the water out, then roll in a towel, give a quick shake or two to remove wrinkles, and lay flat to dry.
Like wool, Cashmere is also a favorite of moths. Protect your garment with herbed moth repellants or store in a secure environment."
100% Cashmere
2ply, 50 gram ball, 437 yards
Natural Color Cashmere Fine Lace weight:
SOLD OUT & gone forever ;-(
Try the Misti Int'l Baby Alpaca lace weight in
patterns calling for this fine lace cashmere, same weight and yardage exactly so
it works like a charm.
100% Cashmere
2ply, 50 gram skein, 328 yards
Natural Cashmere Lace weight:
SOLD OUT & gone forever;-(
Cashmere/Silk (80%/20%)
2 ply, 50 gram ball, 228 yards
Natural Cashmere/Silk Fingering weight
SOLD OUT & gone forever;-(
Cashmere/Silk 3 Ply (80%/20%)
3 ply, 50 gram ball, 152 yards
Natural Cashmere/Silk Sport weight
SOLD OUT & gone forever;-(
Cashmere/Merino Wool 3 Ply (60%/40%)
3 ply, 50 gram ball, 152 yards
Natural Cashmere/Merino Wool Sport weight
SOLD OUT & gone forever;-(
Cashmere America's Patterns are available for $4.50 each. The Cashmere America Yarns are no longer available, any yarn descriptions are for reference only to enable you to find a close match. These patterns are wonderful and can be adapted to other yarns of similar weights and yardages.
Aran Braid Mittens:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach. Warm and feminine, these mittens are made with just 1 skein of Cashmere America's 2-ply 80% Cashmere/20% Silk yarn (185 yards required) on US #2 and US #1 double pointed needles.
Aran Braid Mittens, 50gm 80% cashmere/20% silk 2 Ply-
Bisceglia Collar:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach. The version pictured is worked in Cashmere America's 2-ply blend of 80% cashmere and 20% silk, 34gm. It can also be knitted with 17.6gm (155 yards) of 100% cashmere yarn. US needles #4 are used for both.
Bisceglia Collar, 50gm 80% cashmere/20% silk 2 Ply
Bisceglia Collar, 50gm 100% cashmere yarn. -
"Braided Leaf" Scarf:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach. Dress up and cuddle up with this beautiful leaf pattern scarf. It uses just 1 skein of 100% Cashmere 2-ply yarn from Cashmere America Co-op and US #3 needles, either straight or circular. Approximately 7" x 50".
"Braided Leaf" Scarf, 50gm/328yds 100% cashmere. -
Cables and Lace Vest: This vest was designed for use with luxurious 100% Lace weight cashmere yarn proudly offered by Cashmere America. Knit with US 4 and 2 needles, US 2 double point needles, and a cable needle. The small and medium sizes (38" and 40" bust) require three 100 gram balls of cashmere. The size large (42" bust) requires 4 balls. Finished measurements are 40, 42, and 44 inches respectively. Design by Jan Todd.
Cables and Lace Vest sizes Small and Medium, 150gm 100% Cashmere.
Cables and Lace Vest size Large, 200gm 100% Cashmere. -
Cascade Neckerchief Scarf:* Designed by Cynthia Heeren of Hokulani Farm. Perfect for outdoors, office, or opera, this lovely scarf requires just 1 skein of Cashmere America's 3-ply 80% Cashmere/20% Silk (50gms, 152 yards), and size US 6 knitting needles.
Cascade Neckerchief Scarf, 50gm 80% cashmere/20% silk 2 Ply -
Cashmere Lace Collar: The version pictured is worked in Cashmere America's 2 ply blend of 80% Cashmere and 20% Silk using one 50 gram ball of yarn. It can also be knit with 15.4 grams (136 yards) of 100% Cashmere yarn. US needles size 4 are used for both. Design by Marilyn Merbach, adapted from a pattern in Threads magazine.
Cashmere Lace Collar, 50gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk 2 Ply yarn -
Cashmere Lace Wimple: Using an Old Shale (Feather and Fan) pattern from the Shetland Islands, this beautifully versatile wimple is made with 50 grams (one ball) of 100% Cashmere Lace weight. Use US needles size 7 or 8 circular 24", depending on how tightly you knit to match the gauge. Design by Beverly David for Royal Cashmere Goats.
Cashmere Lace Wimple, 50gm 100% Cashmere, Soft Brown Fine Lace weight. -
Cashmere/Merino Lady's Mittens:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach. No cold fingers today! Enjoy instant warmth with these simple mittens! Made with 2 skeins of 3-ply 60% Cashmere/40% Merino using 1 set US #3 and #5 double pointed needles. Try it with the Cashmere/Silk 3 ply blend yarn using the same yardage.
Cashmere/Merino Lady's Mittens, 100gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk 3 Ply yarn. -
Celtic Socks:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach. Two strands of Cashmere America 100% cashmere yarn are knit with one strand of Wooly Nylon to create socks of remarkable softness and warmth. Two skeins are required. Wooly Nylon is available on 1100 yard tubes from many sewing and knitting shops. US #2 and #3 double pointed needles.
Celtic Socks, 100gm 100% Cashmere -
Child's Tam: This beautiful Tam design by Marilyn Merbach features a Leaves and Berries pattern. It utilizes 31.8 grams (144 yards) of Cashmere America 80% Cashmere/20% Silk blend yarn. It can also be made using 100% Cashmere yarn. Size US 1 double point needles are used.
Child's Tam, 50gm Cashmere/Silk 2 Ply yarn
Child's Tam, 50gm 100% Cashmere yarn -
Downeast Vest:* Designed by Lis Whitney utilizing herringbone and twisted rib patterns from The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches, Vol. 1. Uses 325gm 60/40 Cashmere/Merino yarn and US needles size 5 & 8.
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Ear Warmer - Head Band:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach. Stay warm without "hat hair" in this stylish headband of Cashmere/Silk. It takes just one skein of Cashmere America's 3-ply 80% Cashmere/20% Silk (50gm, 152 yards) and US #5 and #8 circular needles.
Ear Warmer - Head Band, 50gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk 2 Ply -
English Mesh Lace Socks:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach. Step out in style or just put your feet up and enjoy the look and feel of these lacy, feminine socks. Made with 2 skeins of 2-ply 80% Cashmere/20% Silk with 1 set of US #0 and #1 double pointed needles.
English Mesh Lace Socks, 100gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk 2 Ply -
Eyelet Pattern Baby Bonnet and Booties: A bonnet and pair of booties requires one skein of 80% Cashmere/20% Silk blend yarn or one skein of 100% Cashmere yarn. The Bonnet uses size US 2 and 4 needles straight or circular. The booties use US size 1 and 3 needles. Design by Marilyn Merbach.
Eyelet Pattern Baby Bonnet and Booties, 50gm Cashmere Silk 2 Ply yarn
Eyelet Pattern Baby Bonnet and Booties, 50gm 100% Cashmere. -
Icy Morn Fisherman's Scarf:* Designed by Cynthia Heeren of Hokulani Farms. For country or city living, morning, afternoon, or evening, this cozy scarf is just the thing. Knit with 1 skein of Cashmere America's 100% Cashmere on US #4 needles (G or H crochet hook also needed).
Icy Morn Fisherman's Scarf, 50gm 100% Cashmere. -
Lacy Elegance or Lacy Shells Crochet Scarves: Each scarf requires just one skein of 2 ply 80% Cashmere/20% Silk blend yarn and a size D crochet hook. Also available using 100% Cashmere.
Lacy Elegance or Lacy Shells Crochet Scarves, 50gm Cashmere/Silk blend yarn
Lacy Elegance or Lacy Shells Crochet Scarves, 50gm 100% Cashmere -
Moss Diamonds and Lozenges Scarf: This elegant scarf, based on a Barbara Walker pattern and finished with I-cord, is knit on US size 5 needles and requires two skeins of 80% Cashmere/20% Silk blend yarn. Finished dimensions are 9" by 60". Design by Marilyn Merbach.
Moss Diamonds and Lozenges Scarf, 100gm Cashmere/Silk 2 Ply yarn -
Reversible Ribbed Stocking Hat for Men or Women:* Designed by Marilyn Merbach utilizing baby cable and seeded rib patterns developed by B. G. Walker. Requires 75gm of 60% Cashmere/40% Merino yarn.
Reversible Ribbed Stocking Hat, 100gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk 3 Ply yarn. -
Slipped Rib Sweater:* Designed by Marilyn Ackley of Bessey Place Cashmere. Feminine and classic, this sleeveless sweater shows the wonderful drape and movement of cashmere. Designed as a Medium size, the pattern adjusts easily through the stockinet stitch of the side panels and uses US #3 straight needles, a US #2 circular needles, and 3 skeins of 100% Cashmere.
Slipped Rib Sweater, 150gm 100% Cashmere. -
Spiral Hat:* Designed by Jeanne Austin. Utilizes 38gm of Cashmere America's 3-ply 60% cashmere/40% merino blend yarn.
Spiral Hat, 50gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk 3 Ply yarn...$37.45 -
Spring Lace Shawl: Perfect for a spring or summer event, this feminine but practical shawl requires 2 balls of 100% Cashmere Lace weight, along with US size 8 circular 24" needles. Also available using 3 skeins of 2-ply Cashmere/Silk with size US 8 needles. Design by Cynthia Heeren of Hokulani Farm.
Spring Lace Shawl, 100gm 100% Cashmere, Soft Brown Lace weight
Spring Lace Shawl, 100gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk -
Sue's Famous One Ounce Cashmere Scarf: Designed for Sandy Pines Farm by Lucy Neatby ©1996, this 8"x36" version uses 26.5 grams of 100% Cashmere and size US 6 (4mm) needles. The twelve row repeat may be easily adjusted for either a longer or shorter scarf. I've made one using one full ball of 100% Cashmere Lace weight that measures about 60" long, beautiful!
Sue's Famous One Ounce Cashmere Scarf, OUT OF PRINT, so sorry. -
Triangular Lace Scarf: To add that extra touch of warmth or accent, softly drape this lovely scarf across the shoulders of a dress, blouse, or sweater. Requires one ball of 100% Cashmere or Cashmere/Silk blend yarn and US size 8 circular or straight needles. Design by Marilyn Merbach.
Triangular Lace Scarf, 50gm Cashmere/Silk blend yarn
Triangular Lace Scarf, 50gm 100% Cashmere yarn. -
Winterport Diamond Mittens:*Just one skein of Cashmere's America's 3-ply Cashmere/Merino yarn is required to make a pair of mittens featuring seed stitch diamonds and cuff. The diamond theme is repeated at the fingertips. Worked on US 4 double pointed needles. Design by Hatie Clingerman
Winterport Diamond Mittens, 50gm 80% Cashmere/20% Silk 3 Ply yarn.
