By Claudia Ostrop
Cashmere Charis is the latest addition to the Pascuali collection!
This exquisite yarn, named after the Greek goddess of grace, is a luxurious blend of Merino wool and cashmere which truly lives up to its name: 70% of it is the finest Merino with an incredibly fine fiber diameter of just 17.5 microns, making it ultra-soft and delicate! The remaining 30% consists of sumptuous cashmere, with a stunning 15.5 microns in fiber thickness. It doesn’t get any more luxurious than this!
The Merino wool is sourced from Australia, but there’s no cause for concern—Pascuali ensures that they collaborate only with farms certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). This guarantees that mulesing practices are excluded, and the Merino fibers are gathered from the sheep's first shearing. The cashmere comes from Mongolian goats, collected in small quantities through a careful and labor-intensive process.
Now, let's talk practicality! Cashmere Charis is available in 50-gram balls. The yarn is a 6-ply, with a unique twist: first two sets of three threads each are twisted together and then these two sets are twisted together. This process gives the yarn a very smooth and compact appearance, and we know that the more thorough the twisting, the less likely a yarn is to pill later on.
The yarn has a length of 122 yds (112 meters) per 50 grams. With the recommended needle size of 8 US (5 mm), you can achieve a gauge of 17 stitches and 24 rows per 10 x 10 cm square, as per the label. So why not get started on a little "Yarn Tasting"!
It’s no surprise that Cashmere Charis glides seamlessly over your needles and fingers from the very first cast-on. With size 8 US (5 mm) needles, you’ll find yourself knitting up a delightful piece in no time. The stitches create a beautifully consistent pattern, and the knitted fabric feels incredibly soft—almost like a cloud—while boasting a subtle sheen.
You'll quickly find yourself inspired with ideas for this cuddly-soft yarn… perhaps a pullover? Or maybe something more rustic with cable patterns? Its lightweight nature makes it perfect for creating rich, textured designs!
If you opt for a smaller needle size, the stitch pattern naturally becomes a bit denser, resulting in a firmer knit that still feels fantastic. This once again illustrates the importance of knitting swatches: we all have unique knitting styles, and yarn tension can change depending on the type of needle tips used. It’s best to experiment a bit to see what works best for you.
But why limit yourself to just different needle sizes and patterns?
How about combining Cashmere Charis with Mohair Bliss?. When you knit them together, the “core thread” of Mohair Bliss subtly retreats behind the lush Cashmere Charis, revealing itself only occasionally. When knit in similar shades, it blends seamlessly; using contrasting colors creates stunning highlights.
The delicate fluff of mohair wraps around your knitted piece so delicately. It’s absolutely beautiful! If you stick with the recommended 8 US (5 mm) needles, the addition of the gentle mohair lends stability to the fabric.
If you prefer a looser feel, simply go up by half a needle size or even a full size: the two yarns together create a light and airy cozy knit, enhanced by the soft color accents of Mohair Bliss.
Can it get any cozier? Absolutely!
Manada is a remarkable blend of mohair, merino, silk, and yak from Pascuali that elevates comfort to new heights. Its thick and plush fluff feels almost like a cloud. The color palettes of Cashmere Charis and Manada complement each other beautifully, making it easy to find a tone-on-tone match for nearly every shade. Additionally, creating stunning contrasting color combinations is a breeze!
When knit together, Manada and Cashmere Charis work wonders. With a needle size of 10 US (6 mm), you’ll make rapid progress, creating a wonderfully soft, thick, and yet remarkably light fabric. The core thread of Manada occasionally peeks through, but like Mohair Bliss, it tends to blend into the background. The thick fluff envelops each stitch evenly, tempting you to create a sumptuous pullover or a cozy vest. A warm hat from this dreamy combo would also be a fantastic idea! You might even want to try all three, as Cashmere Charis and Manada, knitted together on size 10 US (6 mm) needles, yield a gauge of just 14 stitches over 10 cm, promising quick results.
Cashmere Charis is truly a captivating yarn. Whether you use it on its own or combine it with other fibers, its softness rivals that of pure cashmere yarn—and it’s more affordable! The Cashmere Charis color palette features 20 beautiful shades, ranging from natural white and gray to vibrant colors and rich black. You’ll find subtle tones alongside bold, vibrant hues. Now, the only thing left to do is choose your favorite!
Have fun knitting with this wonderful yarn!
We can’t wait to see your projects.
Be sure to tag @pascuali_official on Instagram and @pascuali on Facebook so we can admire your creations!
