Fibers that often score better in sweaters
These usually rank higher when they are most of the yarn, not a 5% cashmere or wool highlight.
- CashmereA fine goat-hair fiber. It does not shed plastic microfibers; check that the sweater is mostly cashmere, not a blend sold on the name.
- WoolAn animal fiber and the classic sweater yarn. It scores well when the knit is not a wool-acrylic or wool-nylon blend.
- Merino WoolA finer wool used in lighter, next-to-skin sweaters. Same protein-fiber scoring family as wool.
- Organic CottonA plant fiber used in lighter knits and cardigans. Usually the higher-scoring cotton option when both are offered.
- CottonConventional cotton knits are still a plant fiber with no microplastic polymer in MaterialsDB.