Animal fiber wool family vs cashmere family for knitted sweaters

2026-08-17 12:04:18

This is the most easily confused fundamental boundary and also the source of 90% of purchasing misconceptions. Many people think that 'cashmere is the better wool', but in fact, the two come from completely different species and belong to two independent main series of animal hair fibers.

Main series one: Sheep hair family

All hair fibers taken from sheep belong to the sheep hair family. The 'wool sweater' we commonly refer to is made of sheep wool material by default.

Core features: The fibers have natural curls, providing warmth, breathability, good toughness, durability, and easy maintenance;

Production scale: With a large global production and stable supply, it is the absolute main material for knitted sweaters;

Internal branches: Divided by breed, there are ordinary sheep wool and Merino wool; According to age, there are adult wool and lamb wool.

Main Series 2: Cashmere Family

The bottom layer of fine wool taken from the surface of goats, rather than goat wool itself, has no subordinate relationship with wool and is a completely independent high-end category.

Core features: extremely fine fibers, high hollow degree, light and soft warmth, skin friendly and fully stretched;

Production scale: Each goat produces only a few tens of grams of wool per year, which is highly rare and belongs to high-end woolen materials;

Common misconception: "Cashmere is high-quality wool" is a typical misconception, as the two are different species, structures, and values.

Summary: All things called "wool" come from sheep; Only those called 'cashmere' come from goats. Merino and sheep wool are both branches of the sheep wool family, not the same family as cashmere.