Wool fibre comparison
Yak down, cashmere, pashmina, lambswool and merino, rated side by side on the things that decide how a shawl performs. Sort any column, or tell it what matters most to you.
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| Fibre | Fineness | Warmth | Softness | Durability | Easy care | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yak downwarmest, hard-wearing | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Cashmeresoftest, most delicate | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Pashminafinest cashmere grade | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Lambswoolspringy value all-rounder | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| Merinofine, no prickle | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Fineness is average fibre diameter in microns (lower = finer and softer): pashmina under 16, cashmere about 14 to 19, yak down about 16 to 19, merino about 15 to 24, lambswool about 16.5 to 25. The 1 to 5 ratings are our editorial judgement from weaving and handling all five fibres; real fibres vary by grade and processing.
How to read it
Finer fibres feel softer against the skin. Warmth comes from crimp and loft rather than thickness, which is why fine yak down and cashmere punch above their weight. Cashmere and pashmina are the softest and the most delicate. Yak down trades a little softness for real durability and easier care. Lambswool is the value all-rounder. There is no single best fibre, only the best one for how you will wear it.
Built by SHAAL, who handweave wool, yak and lambswool shawls and blanket scarves on Khadi looms in the Swat Valley. Free to use and link to. More detail in the guide to the types of wool and yak wool vs cashmere.