How to knit recycled cashmere Nm 2/13 on a 7-8 gauge machine

Recycled cashmere Nm 2/13 is a versatile yarn that allows you to create lightweight, refined garments, ideal for transitional seasons or elegant sweaters. Used on a 7-8 gauge machine, it offers excellent results, but requires some specific attention to ensure smooth knitting and a high-quality finished product.

Unlike “new” cashmere, recycled cashmere is created through a process of selecting and regenerating old knitted garments.

The fabric is frayed and returned to its original fiber state, then spun again. In this process, the fiber becomes shorter than the original, resulting in several differences:
• the yarn is slightly weaker,
• it is more sensitive to excessive tension,
• it requires greater attention during knitting.

These characteristics are not a limitation, but rather an aspect to be aware of to best work and enhance a material that combines sustainability and artisanal quality.

To get the most out of recycled Nm 2/13 in a 7-8 gauge garment, it’s important to follow some best practices:
1. Adjust the tension carefully
Avoid overtightening the yarn: excessive tension can cause breakage. It’s best to start with a looser tension and make samples to find the right balance.
2. Go slower
The machine should run at a slightly slower pace than when using new yarn. This reduces the risk of breakage and allows the yarn to flow more easily.
3. Make test samples
Before starting production of a garment, it’s always recommended to make a sample to evaluate the hand, drape, and yield after treatment.
4. Check complex stitches
If you’re making ribs, cables, or knit stitches, be careful because they require more yarn strength. In these cases, it’s best to further reduce the machine speed.

Once the sweater is finished, the true value of recycled cashmere emerges with the final treatment: washing and fulling. At this stage, the fiber opens, the yarn gains volume, and the garment becomes softer and more velvety.

We recommend using warm water, gentle detergents, and a gentle treatment to maximize the quality of the yarn.

Despite the care required, recycled cashmere Nm 2/13 in a 7-8 gauge offers great satisfaction:
• it allows you to create lightweight, soft knits,
• it has a reduced environmental impact,
• it maintains the value and refinement of cashmere,
• it offers excellent value for money.

Knowing its strengths and technical characteristics is the secret to creating garments that combine craftsmanship, sustainability, and comfort.

Try our recycled cashmere Nm 2/13 and create unique pieces with all the quality of Hircus yarns, click here.