Men's Jumpers

What is an English jumper?

An English jumper is defined by the use of British yarns and production in long-established knitting mills. Unlike industrial mass production, it is knitted from pure natural fibres whose origin and processing are traceable. At John Crocket, all jumpers come from a family-run knitting mill in Scotland specialising in lambswool, Geelong and cashmere.

The range covers three materials. The lambswool and Geelong yarns come from Australian wool and are spun and dyed by the English spinner Hinchliffe. The finished wool jumper is then made in Scotland. Lambswool is the most robust choice, shape-retaining and hard-wearing, the entry point to the range. Geelong is a particularly fine merino wool from the Geelong region in Victoria, Australia. Only fibres under 19.5 micron are classified as Geelong. The result is softer than lambswool and more durable than cashmere, a material that sits between the two. The dedicated Geelong collection shows the full range of colours.

The cashmere jumpers are knitted from yarns by Todd & Duncan, one of Scotland's most renowned cashmere spinners. There are three weights: 2-ply, 3-ply and 6-ply. The number indicates how many individual threads are twisted into one yarn. 2-ply cashmere is light and fine, 3-ply brings more substance, 6-ply is suited to cable patterns. With correct care, all the knitwear holds its shape well and pills very little. Cashmere should rest between wears and be washed by hand; it will then last for years.

All styles come as crew neck, V-neck, roll neck or polo collar. The V-neck fits under a jacket with a tie. Roll neck and polo collar replace the tie as a finish in their own right. Depending on the material, the colour palette ranges from muted tones to strong colours, with Geelong and cashmere offering the widest choice.

In our store on Friesenstraße in Cologne you can compare the differences between the three materials directly. Lambswool, Geelong and cashmere each feel distinctly different to the touch, something that can only be described online, not replaced. The knitwear guide offers an overview of materials, knitting techniques and care advice.

FAQ

What is the difference between lambswool and Geelong?

Lambswool is the first shearing of a lamb and therefore particularly soft, yet still robust and dimensionally stable. Geelong is a fine merino wool from the Geelong region of Australia; only fibres under 19.5 microns carry this designation. In terms of handle, Geelong sits between lambswool and cashmere: softer than lambswool, more durable than cashmere. Both yarns are spun by the English spinning mill Hinchliffe and knitted in Scotland.

Why are cashmere jumpers so expensive?

Cashmere wool comes from the undercoat of the cashmere goat and is combed out once a year, not shorn. Each goat yields only around 150 to 200 grams of raw fibre. The yarn for the John Crocket cashmere jumpers comes from Todd & Duncan, one of the most renowned cashmere spinning mills in Scotland. The price reflects the scarcity of the raw material, the elaborate processing and the durability of the finished jumper.

How do you care for a wool jumper?

Wash knitwear after about three days of wear. Hand-wash at a maximum of 30 degrees and rinse thoroughly in cold water. Alternatively, use a wool or delicates programme at 30 degrees with a maximum of 600 revolutions and a little liquid wool detergent, not too much, otherwise the wool will felt. Dry flat, spread out on a towel, never in the tumble dryer. Pilling is normal with wool and cashmere. Regular washing causes the fibres to draw together and prevents pilling. Thanks to the heavily twisted yarn, the knitwear holds its shape very well and, with proper care, lasts for many years.