SAORI Weaving with Cashmere Yarn

Weaving with cashmere yarn is a beautiful and delicate process. Cashmere’s fine fibres make soft, lightweight, and warm textiles. They are light as air, yet soft, cozy and warm!

SAORI weaving is a great way to work with cashmere. Here are some tips to help you get the best results when using cashmere yarn in SAORI weaving:

Setting up Your Loom

• Warping: Embrace the SAORI philosophy by warping your loom in a relaxed way. You can make your own warp or purchase one of the limited edition pre-wound cashmere warps.

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• SAORI Cashmere Prewound Warp

• Set Up Your Loom: Cashmere can be delicate, so ensure the tension isn’t too tight.

• Mixing Colors and Textures: Incorporate other yarns, fibers, and textures into your warp for added visual interest. Cashmere weft on a cashmere warp is the ultimate in luxury. Cashmere and silk work very well together and you can get variable shrinkage, so a nice textural interest. Cashmere can also be woven on a cotton warp for a nice effect.

Weaving with Cashmere

• Cashmere yarn shines in plain and simple weaves, which emphasize its softness and natural beauty. SAORI is a natural for this.

• A light beat creates a lightweight fabric. This allows the softness and drape of cashmere to shine through. It makes the fabric ideal for scarves, shawls, and lightweight wraps.

• Cashmere fibres can break with abrasion, so minimize rubbing against the heddles and the reed. Advance your warp often to reduce wear on individual threads. A gentle beat is ideal; cashmere doesn’t need a strong beat. Always use gentle handling when working with cashmere.

Cashmere warp and weft – warp is mix of blacks and grey, weft is pastels – light as air!

Finishing Techniques

• Before washing your weaving, secure the ends by knotting the fringes together in any size groups. You can vary the sizes for an interesting look. For scarves or shawls, twisted or braided fringes also add a nice finish.

Wet Finishing Cashmere

• Cashmere yarn transforms with wet finishing, becoming loftier and softer. Wash your finished weaving in warm water in the washing machine with a gentle soap such as Euclan, no harsh detergents for cashmere! This process allows the fibres to bloom and achieve their signature softness. Hang to dry (in the sun if possible). DO NOT dry in the dryer!

Cashmere shawl – cashmere yarn for warp and weft

Maintaining Your Cashmere Weaving

• Washing: When caring for your finished cashmere garments or scarves after the initial wash, hand wash in lukewarm water and dry flat to preserve their softness and prevent pilling.

• Storage: Store woven cashmere items folded in a cool, dry place.

Weaving with cashmere yarn can yield luxurious, cherished textiles that drape beautifully and feel incredible against the skin. Taking these extra steps to handle it gently will make all the difference in your finished piece. By using these tips, you can make beautiful woven items with cashmere.

SAORI weaving is as much about the journey as the finished product. Take your time, enjoy the tactile nature of cashmere, and let your creativity shine.

Ready to start creating with cashmere? Browse the limited edition supply of beautiful SAORI cashmere warps and the wide variety of cashmere yarns from SAORI Japan in our store.

Cashmere and Silk – variable shrinkage

Happy Weaving,

Terri