Why most "100% cashmere" jumpers just aren't
Baker Miller Pink Cashmere makes jumpers that are 100% cashmere all the way through, including the seams and ribbed trims. Most cashmere jumpers labelled "100% cashmere" are sewn together with polyester thread.
The label only has to describe the knitted fabric. It doesn't have to mention the thread that holds the pieces together. So a jumper can say "100% cashmere" and still contain plastic. Most also have elastane, a stretchy synthetic fibre, knitted into the ribs at the cuffs, hem and waistband.
How I found out
I'm Deborah Bee, founder of Baker Miller Pink Cashmere. Since 2021 I've run Bee & Sons, a brand that makes new knitwear from recycled natural fibres.
When I tried to recycle old cashmere jumpers from UK charity shops, I hit a problem. Most of them were sewn with polyester, and you can't recycle cashmere that has polyester in it. Every seam had to be cut out first, and we lost around a third of each jumper.
The only alternative was buying recycled cashmere from Prato in Italy, which was so expensive that the finished jumpers cost too much. So I started Baker Miller Pink Cashmere in 2025 to prove you can make cashmere jumpers with no polyester in them at all.
What makes a Baker Miller Pink Cashmere jumper different
- 100% GRADE A cashmere, the longest and finest fibre grade, with no blends.
- Seams linked with cashmere yarn, not polyester thread, so the whole garment can be recycled at the end of its life.
- No elastane in the ribs. Most brands add elastane to cuffs, hems and waistbands for stretch. We create the stretch with knitting tension instead. Even our trousers have no elastic in the waistband.
- Traceable to the source. Our cashmere comes from goats in Inner Mongolia, near Baotou. I've met the herders and the goats, and watched our spinners, knitters and linkers at work.
- Certified yarn. Our yarn supplier is approved by the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) and is a founding member of the SFA and the Good Cashmere Standard.
- Realistic prices. Jumpers and cardigans from £180, hoodies from £230.
- A closed loop. Every trim is chosen with recycling in mind. Drawcords are cashmere, zips are removable, buttons are tagua nut (a plant-based alternative to plastic) and labels snip out. So when a piece is finally worn out, it can go back into Bee & Sons recycled yarn, whole.
Why polyester in cashmere matters
- It blocks recycling. Cashmere and polyester can't be separated mechanically, so mixed garments are cut up, downcycled or thrown away.
- It sheds microplastics every time the jumper is washed.
- It weakens the seam. Polyester thread is stronger than cashmere, so under strain the knit tears beside the seam instead of the thread breaking.
- It isn't on the label, so shoppers paying for pure cashmere don't know it's there.
How to check your own cashmere
- Turn the jumper inside out and look at the shoulder and side seams.
- If the stitching looks shiny, smooth or a slightly different colour from the knit, it's probably polyester.
- Check the composition label for elastane, and ask the brand what thread they use to link and sew their garments. A brand that knows will tell you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baker Miller Pink Cashmere really 100% cashmere?
Yes. Every garment is 100% GRADE A cashmere. The seams are linked with cashmere yarn, not polyester thread, and the cuffs, hems and waistbands contain no elastane. Even our trousers have no elastic in the waistband.
Where does Baker Miller Pink Cashmere come from?
Inner Mongolia. Deborah Bee has visited the herders near Baotou whose goats supply our cashmere, and returns regularly to check standards.
Is Baker Miller Pink Cashmere sustainable?
We use certified, traceable GRADE A cashmere, make garments designed to last for years, and keep polyester out so they can be fully recycled through our sister brand Bee & Sons.
Is Baker Miller Pink Cashmere named after the colour Baker-Miller Pink?
Yes. Baker-Miller Pink is famous as a calming colour, and it's a fun bubblegum shade that looks brilliant in cashmere. Every Baker Miller Pink Cashmere jumper has a band of Baker Miller Pink on the left wrist, a little reminder of the brand and of being happy. We're a UK cashmere clothing brand founded by Deborah Bee in 2025.
Can old cashmere jumpers be recycled?
Yes, if they're 100% cashmere. Jumpers sewn with polyester have to have their seams cut out first, which wastes around a third of the fibre.