Cashmere vs Merino Wool vs Tencel Silk Yarn Guide

100% Cashmere vs Extra Fine Merino Wool vs Tencel Silk: Complete Yarn Guide — MITONY Bespoke Cashmere Atelier

Choosing the right custom sweater begins with matching the fibre to how and where you actually live. While 100% pure cashmere is unrivaled for featherweight winter warmth, a frequent traveller moving between heated cabins and mild climates may get far more mileage from 16-gauge Extra Fine Merino Wool, while warm-climate wearers often prefer the cool fluidity of Tencel Mulberry Silk.

In this comprehensive yarn guide, we compare all four natural yarn families available in the MITONY atelier — covering micron fineness, thermal insulation, pilling resistance, active colour palettes, and retail pricing.

Side-by-Side Comparison of MITONY’s 4 Bespoke Yarns

The table below summarises the verified physical specifications and live atelier options for each yarn family (Prices last updated: 2026-10):

Yarn Family	Fibre Composition & Fineness	Active Colours	Default / Available Gauges	Thermal Warmth & Hand-Feel	Price Range (USD, 2026-10)
100% Cashmere	100% Inner Mongolian Cashmere (15.5–15.8μm, 2/26Nm)	78 shades	12gg default (3gg, 7gg, 12gg, 16gg in configurator)	Maximum warmth-to-weight ratio; cloud-like loft	$403.00 – $725.00 USD
Cashmere Wool Blend	80% Cashmere / 20% Fine Merino Wool	15 shades	12gg default (3gg, 7gg, 12gg, 16gg in configurator)	High warmth with enhanced recovery & structure	$370.00 – $440.00 USD
100% Extra Fine Merino	100% Australian Extra Fine Merino Wool (2/48Nm worsted)	75 shades	16gg default (3gg, 7gg, 12gg, 16gg in configurator)	Crisp, breathable 4-season temperature regulation	$220.00 – $360.00 USD
Tencel Mulberry Silk	90% Tencel Lyocell / 10% Mulberry Silk	20 shades	16gg default (3gg, 7gg, 12gg, 16gg in configurator)	Cool-touch, fluid drape, subtle silk lustre	$230.00 – $370.00 USD

100% Pure Cashmere, 80/20 Cashmere-Wool, 18.5μm Merino & Tencel Silk Swatch Comparison

All-Season Fine-Gauge and Chunky Knitwear Drape Across 4 Natural Luxury Yarns

1. 100% Pure Inner Mongolian Cashmere (78 Colours)

True luxury cashmere comes from the downy undercoat produced by cashmere goats during harsh sub-zero Inner Mongolian winters. At MITONY, we spin Grade-A fibres measuring 15.5 to 15.8 microns in diameter with long staple lengths into a two-ply 2/26Nm yarn.

Best for: Cold-weather luxury, featherweight insulation without shoulder fatigue, and heirloom pieces like our Women’s Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater or Men’s Cashmere Turtle Neck Pullover.
Why it stands out: Microscopic air channels inside cashmere fibres trap body heat immediately while allowing moisture vapour to escape, preventing overheating indoors.

2. 80% Cashmere / 20% Fine Wool Blend (15 Colours)

While 100% cashmere prioritises ultimate softness, blending 80% pure cashmere with 20% superfine merino wool introduces the natural crimp (springiness) of sheep’s wool into the yarn structure. The result feels virtually indistinguishable from pure cashmere to the hand, but holds rib cuffs, collar bands, and elbow shape with extra resilience.

Best for: Daily commuter knitwear, Mock Neck Pullovers, and wearers who want cashmere warmth with heightened durability.

3. 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool (75 Colours)

Spun from extra fine Australian merino fleeces using a smooth worsted spinning process (2/48Nm), our merino wool is knitted at a fine 16 gauge on standard catalog pieces. Unlike coarse traditional wools, extra fine merino bends softly against skin receptors without itching.

Best for: Year-round office layering, business travel, Polo Neck Button Cardigans, and V-Neck Sleeveless Vests.
Care advantage: Extra fine merino fibres have higher surface scale stability, allowing gentle cold hand washing or wool-cycle laundering inside a mesh garment bag (see our Complete Knitwear Washing & Care Guide).

4. 90% Tencel / 10% Mulberry Silk (20 Colours)

For spring, summer, and warm or humid regions where wool and cashmere are simply too warm, our botanical-silk blend combines 90% sustainably sourced Tencel lyocell with 10% long-filament mulberry silk. Knitted at 16gg, it produces a liquid-smooth jersey fabric with natural cooling properties.

Best for: Warm-climate wardrobes, resort travel, Zipped Side-Pocket Hoodies, and sensitive skin that cannot tolerate any animal wool fibre.

How to Order Physical Yarn Swatches or Download the V2026 Colour Book

Computer and smartphone screens render subtle undertones differently. You can inspect every shade online on our Cashmere & Knitwear Colour Guide, download the high-resolution MITONY V2026 Colour Book PDF, or read our guide on Cream vs Cream White vs Ivory Knitwear before placing your custom order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which yarn is warmer: 100% cashmere or extra fine merino wool?

Gram for gram, 100% Inner Mongolian cashmere is up to seven to eight times more insulating than standard sheep's wool and roughly twice as warm as extra fine merino wool of the same gauge, thanks to the hollow air-trapping core of fine 15.5-micron cashmere undercoat fibres.

Why choose an 80% cashmere / 20% wool blend over 100% pure cashmere?

Adding 20% superfine merino wool to 80% pure cashmere increases tensile elasticity and abrasion resistance while preserving nearly all the loft and hand-feel of pure cashmere. It is an excellent choice for structured cardigans, hoodies, and everyday travel garments.

What does 90% Tencel / 10% Mulberry Silk feel like?

Our 90% Tencel lyocell and 10% mulberry silk blend feels cool, silky, and fluid against bare skin with zero wool prickle. Knitted at 16 gauge, it offers exceptional moisture management and a subtle pearlescent sheen for spring, summer, and tropical climates.

How many colours are available in each yarn at MITONY?

Across our active V2026 yarn library (188 shades total), we offer 78 colours in 100% Cashmere, 75 colours in 100% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 20 colours in 90% Tencel / 10% Mulberry Silk, and 15 colours in 80% Cashmere / 20% Wool.