Two noble fibers, two kinds of nobility.
Cashmere is a fiber for the star. It is precious, delicate, and it asks for attention. You rest it between wears, you watch for pilling, you take it to the dry cleaner. The people who love it are refined, exacting and careful.
Yak is a different story. We like to call it the cashmere of the traveler. You can wear it every day, take it camping, even sleep in it, and it keeps its shape. It belongs to the person who seeks adventure with class. Here is how the two fibers compare, and how to choose the right one for your collection.
Cashmere makes you feel like a star. Yak makes you feel ready for anything.
The fiber: a little thicker, a little shorter
Knitwear uses the soft down that yaks grow beneath their coarse outer hair to survive the Mongolian winter. This down is slightly thicker than cashmere, typically around 16 to 20 microns against 14 to 16.5 microns for fine Mongolian cashmere.
The fibers are also shorter. To give the yarn enough strength, spinners twist them into heavier counts. This is why yak yarns are usually thicker than cashmere yarns, and why yak knitwear has its own character: fuller, rounder and more textured.
Warmth, resilience and care
- WarmthYak down is remarkably warm. Put on a yak sweater after a cashmere one and you feel the difference immediately.
- ResilienceYak is hard-wearing. A yak pullover can be worn every day, through every season, and it keeps its shape.
- Easy careCashmere asks for rest days and dry cleaning. Yak is naturally odor resistant, so airing it outside in the wind is often enough between washes.
- Travel-readyIt packs well, travels well and forgives a lot. From the city to a cabin in the forest, it simply follows you.
Both are noble fibers. They simply carry a different kind of nobility.
The gauge secret: why yak loves a looser knit
This is the point most brands overlook, and it changes everything. Knit yak too tight and too fine, for example a compact 12 gauge, and the fiber gets compressed. The surface turns firm and can feel harsh against the skin.
Give the fiber room and it transforms. When we develop yak pieces with our clients, we favor 7 gauge or 5 gauge. The down stays lofty, the hand turns smooth and fluffy, and the softness is in a different league.
Our advice is simple: design yak for volume and texture rather than finesse. Chunky ribs, generous cardigans and textured stitches let the fiber express its best qualities.
5–7
gauges we recommend for the softest yak knitwear
16–20
microns, the typical diameter of yak down
3
natural undyed colors from the Mongolian steppe
Three natural colors from the Mongolian steppe
Mongolian yak comes in three natural shades, straight from the animal: a soft natural grey that is rare to find elsewhere, a deep chocolate brown, and a warm light brown.
Mongolia has little tradition of dyeing yak, and its natural shades are its signature. Undyed fiber keeps its full softness and tells an honest story. When a collection calls for color, dyeing options are available.
Price, and the brands who choose yak
Yak yarn costs about half the price of cashmere. Yet price is rarely the real reason brands choose it. Yak and cashmere speak to two different people.
The brands who come to us for yak share a common thread. They are rooted in the earth, attached to the human hand and to honest materials. They want to stand apart from the cashmere crowd with something rawer, more grounded and more authentic. Designers such as Jan-Jan Van Essche, Evan Kinori and Leon Emanuel Blanck have all worked yak into their collections with us.
Every yak project we develop starts with the same conversation: values, land and people. If that resonates with your brand, yak may be your fiber.
Yak or cashmere: which fits your brand?
| Yak | Cashmere | |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber diameter | About 16 to 20 microns | About 14 to 16.5 microns (fine Mongolian) |
| Hand | Lofty and smooth in open gauges | Silky and refined |
| Warmth | Exceptionally warm | Very warm |
| Daily wear | Every day, all year | Best with rest days |
| Care | Air it out, wash occasionally | Gentle care, dry cleaning |
| Gauges we produce | 5, 7 and 12 (5 and 7 recommended) | 5, 7, 12 and 16 |
| Natural colors | Grey, dark brown, light brown | White, grey, brown, wide dyeing range |
| Yarn price | About half of cashmere | Reference |
| Spirit | The traveler | The star |
Complete the experience: yak socks
The yak experience continues all the way to the feet. We also make yak socks in natural brown tones, with your own logo knitted in.
They are the best companion for winter: warm, soft and wonderful to wear. We have offered them to friends for years, and every winter they come back asking for more pairs, for their friends and for birthdays. It is a gift everyone loves to receive.
For a brand, yak socks are an easy entry into the fiber, a natural add-on to a knitwear collection, or a memorable corporate gift. Neutral socks start from 30 pairs per size, and socks with your logo from 100 pairs per size.
Frequently asked questions
Is yak wool softer than cashmere?
Cashmere is finer and silkier. Yak can feel just as soft when knitted in an open gauge such as 5 or 7, where the down stays lofty.
Is yak wool warmer than cashmere?
Yes. Yak down is exceptionally warm, and the difference is noticeable as soon as you wear it.
Does yak wool itch?
Yak down is soft against the skin. A very tight knit, such as a compact 12 gauge, can make it feel harsher, which is why we recommend 5 or 7 gauge.
How do you care for a yak sweater?
Air it outside between wears. The fiber is naturally odor resistant, so it needs washing far less often than most knitwear. Hand wash cold when needed and dry flat.
What colors does yak wool come in?
Three natural shades in Mongolia: grey, dark brown and light brown. Dyeing is possible on request.
What is the minimum order for yak knitwear?
50 units per style, across sizes and colors.
Can you make custom yak socks with our logo?
Yes. We make yak socks in natural brown tones with your logo knitted in, from 100 pairs per size. Neutral socks without a logo start from 30 pairs per size.
Start your yak project
Curious about yak for your next collection, or about our yak socks? We are happy to hear about your project. Discover our private label service, our yarn sourcing, or read why origin matters in Mongolian vs Inner Mongolian cashmere.