Cashmere Throw Blanket: The Complete Guide

A cashmere throw is a small, lightweight blanket — usually around 50 by 60 inches — made from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. It is a decorative, everyday piece: draped over a sofa, folded at the foot of a bed, or wrapped around your shoulders in a reading chair. Lumusae's throws are 100% undyed Himalayan Chyangra cashmere, hand-knitted by artisans in Nepal.

Are cashmere throws worth it?

A cashmere throw is worth it if you want a piece you keep for years rather than seasons. Cashmere is finer and lighter than wool for the same warmth, ages softly rather than wearing out, and reads as quiet luxury in a room. At a premium price, the value is in the fibre and the craft — so buy on proof, not discount.

What makes a throw genuinely worth the price: single-origin fibre (not blended), fine micron count, honest construction, and traceable sourcing. Lumusae throws are Grade-A Chyangra cashmere at roughly 16 microns, hand-combed from the goats' natural moult and hand-knitted in Nepal — and every piece is NPIA-certified so you can verify it is real.

Cashmere throw vs wool blanket: what's the difference?

Cashmere and wool both come from animals, but cashmere is the fine undercoat of the cashmere goat while wool is sheared from sheep. For the same warmth, cashmere is lighter, softer against the skin, and drapes more fluidly. Wool is heavier, more hard-wearing, and usually less expensive. A cashmere throw suits styling and comfort; a wool blanket suits rugged, high-use warmth.

For a full breakdown of how the two fibres compare, see our guide to cashmere vs wool. If softness, lightness and a refined drape matter most, cashmere is the throw to choose.

How to style a cashmere throw

Style a cashmere throw three ways: drape it loosely across the foot of the bed or the arm of a sofa for a relaxed look, fold it neatly into a clean rectangle for a tailored one, or layer it at an angle over bedding or a chair for depth. Undyed, natural-colour throws work in almost any palette because they add texture without fighting your existing colours.

In the bedroom

Lay the throw across the foot of the bed — either draped casually or folded in a crisp band over the duvet. Natural cream and oat tones sit beautifully over white or linen bedding; a soft grey adds a quiet contrast on darker palettes.

In the living room

Drape a throw over the back or arm of the sofa so it falls naturally, or fold it over a reading chair within easy reach. Because Lumusae throws are undyed, their natural ivory, oat and grey tones layer easily with cushions and rugs you already own.

How to care for and wash a cashmere throw

Hand-wash a cashmere throw in cool water with a gentle cleanser, or use the wool/delicate cycle on your machine. Never wring it — press the water out gently, then dry it flat, away from direct heat. Store it folded, not hung, so it keeps its shape. Cared for this way, a good cashmere throw stays soft for years.

For step-by-step washing instructions, see how to wash a cashmere sweater — the same method applies to a throw. Gentle, occasional washing — not frequent laundering — is what keeps the fibre in its best condition.

A cashmere throw as a gift

A cashmere throw is one of the most reliable luxury gifts because it suits almost anyone and any occasion — a wedding, a housewarming, an anniversary, or a milestone. It feels generous without being personal in a risky way, it is used daily rather than stored away, and an undyed, natural-colour throw works in any home's colour scheme. Lumusae throws ship worldwide duties-paid, so the price your recipient sees is the price you paid.

For a wedding or housewarming, a natural-tone throw is a safe, elegant choice that complements new or existing décor. Because every piece is NPIA-certified and traceable, it also carries a story — a genuinely hand-made object from the Himalaya, not a mass-produced blanket.

The Lumusae cashmere throws

Lumusae makes two hand-knitted cashmere throws, both 100% undyed Himalayan Chyangra cashmere: the Heirloom Honeycomb Cashmere Throw, with a soft textured honeycomb knit, and the Heirloom Cable-Knit Cashmere Throw, with a classic hand-cabled surface. Both are hand-combed, hand-knitted in Nepal, NPIA-certified, Fair Trade, and shipped duties-paid worldwide. See both in the cashmere throw collection.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a cashmere throw? A throw is smaller than a bed blanket — typically around 50 by 60 inches — sized for draping over a sofa, chair or the foot of a bed rather than covering a whole mattress.

Is a cashmere throw warm? Yes. Cashmere is naturally warm for its weight, so a cashmere throw feels light and soft while still keeping you cosy — which is why it works year-round, from cool summer evenings to winter.

How do I know a cashmere throw is real? Look for single-origin 100% cashmere (not a blend), a fine micron count, and third-party certification. Every Lumusae throw is NPIA-certified and can be verified by its serial number at our authenticity page.

Can you machine-wash a cashmere throw? You can use a wool or delicate cycle in cool water with a gentle cleanser, but hand-washing is safest. Never wring it; press out the water, dry flat, and store folded.