Knitting With Echo Cashmere

And a new pattern to go with it

I love cashmere. Cashmere sweaters are my favorite garments to wear during cold weather months. That soft caress against my skin is just so comforting. When I heard Purl Soho was introducing a new fingering weight recycled cashmere yarn, I requested a couple of sample skeins. I was not disappointed.

This yarn was gifted to me by Purl Soho, but it came with no obligation to use or review the yarn. The links are not affiliate links; I receive no compensation from Purl Soho for this review. The opinions are entirely my own. I have designed for Purl Soho in the past, and I work with them as a freelance pattern technical editor.

Echo Cashmere is made in Italy using cashmere fiber recovered from the yarn and sweater manufacturing process, mixed with fiber recovered from cashmere sweaters. It is 95% recycled cashmere, 5% other fibers (mostly wool, with perhaps some nylon). It is spun into a 3-ply fingering weight yarn with 236 yards in each 50-gram ball.

Why recycled? With any natural fiber, the initial stages of processing use a lot of water and energy. The fiber must be washed multiple times in very hot water to remove dirt and grease. When recycled fiber is used, this initial scouring need not be repeated. Energy and water consumption are reduced. When unwanted sweaters are recycled, they do not contribute to the global glut of textile waste. When you knit with recycled fibers, you are reducing the environmental impact of your craft.

Echo Cashmere is a beautiful yarn. It is kitten soft and very light, but not so delicate that it wants to drift apart while you're knitting. The yarn moved smoothly along my wooden needles, and I was quickly able to knit by feel alone, without any splitting stitches. The three plies create a nice, round yarn that produces crisp stitch definition; there is very little fuzzy "halo". The fabric drapes well, even in garter stitch, which can sometimes be a little stiff.

Purl Soho is offering Echo Cashmere in 12 heathered colors, mostly elegant neutrals with a few rich jewel tones. A Fair Isle-style colorwork sweater in this yarn would be a treasure.

I knew this was a yarn I wanted to wear close to my face, so I used my sample skeins to make a cowl.

The Chill cowl is knit flat. It starts with a provisional cast-on, is worked as a strip shaped with short rows, and ends with a graft for a seamless finish. The short rows create a flared shape which allows the cowl to drape gracefully along your shoulders instead of bunching up under your chin. A slip stitch edging keeps everything neat and tidy.

You'll only need one ball of each color to make this generously sized cowl, but I suspect you'll be back for more once you've tried this lovely yarn.

Paid subscribers were sent a separate email will a link to download this pattern with my compliments. For free subscribers, you can take 20% off the pattern price by using coupon code TIMETOCHILL on Ravelry. The discount is good for one-time use and expires on March 24, 2024. Or simply click the button below to have the coupon applied automatically.

Echo Cashmere was just released, and Purl Soho is offering it at a 20% discount for a limited time. Whether you choose to knit the Chill cowl or use Echo Cashmere for your favorite shawl or sweater pattern, now is the time to treat yourself to this dreamy eco-friendly yarn.