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

Nm 2/13 recycled cashmere is a versatile yarn that allows you to create light and refined garments, ideal for mid-season or elegant sweaters. Used as a single ply on a 7-8 gauge machine, it offers optimal results, but requires specific precautions to ensure smooth processing 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 shredded and returned to its fiber state, then spun again. In this process, the fiber becomes shorter than the original one, and this leads to some differences:

• the yarn is slightly weaker,
• it is more sensitive to excessive tension,
• it requires more attention during knitting.

These characteristics are not a limitation, but an aspect to be aware of to work optimally and enhance a material that combines sustainability and artisanal quality. To get the most out of recycled Nm 2/13 as a single ply on a 7-8 gauge, it is important to follow some good practices:

1. Adjust tension carefully Avoid pulling the yarn too much: excessive tension can cause breakage. It is better to start with a softer tension and make swatches to find the right balance.
2. Go slower The machine should work at a slightly slower pace than when using new yarns. This reduces the risk of breakage and allows the yarn to run more smoothly.
3. Make test swatches Before starting garment production, it is always advisable to make a swatch to evaluate the hand, drape, and yield after treatment.
4. Check complex stitches If you are making ribs, cables, or textured stitches, it is important to pay attention because they require more yarn resistance. In these cases, it is advisable to further lower the machine speed.

Once the knit is made, the true value of recycled cashmere emerges with the final treatment: washing and fulling. In this phase, the fiber opens, the yarn gains volume, and the garment becomes softer and more velvety. The advice is to use lukewarm water, delicate detergents, and a not-too-aggressive treatment, in order to best enhance the quality of the yarn. Despite the attention required, Nm 2/13 recycled cashmere on a 7-8 gauge offers great satisfaction:

• it allows you to create light and soft sweaters,
• 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 peculiarities is the secret to obtaining garments that combine craftsmanship, sustainability, and comfort. Try our Nm 2/13 recycled cashmere and create unique garments with all the quality of Hircus yarns, click here.