NEW BRIT CASHMERE

Angel Cashmere blanketsONE OF THE ONLY compensations for the impending British winter - besides thoughts of hot chocolate, halves of Guinness and post-country walk roast dinners - is all the lovely new British cashmere offerings that have made their way onto the baby market in the last few years. Here are a few of our current, and largely affordable, favourites…

1. Angel Cashmere. Michelle O’Neill noted a distinct lack of hip, modern cashmere baby blankets back in 2006 when she was searching for a contemporary design for a friend’s baby. Luckily Michelle’s brother Jamie (both are from Fife in Scotland) had worked in Scottish cashmere for over eight years after studying textiles at university, and had recently moved to Beijing to join the growing Chinese cashmere industry. He was quickly able to translate Michelle’s ideas into a range of graphic, somewhat-retro 100% cashmere blankets (pictured left) that are surprisingly affordable. As a super-cheap alternative Angel Cashmere also offers a stripy version made from Lamere - a supersoft mix of crossbred animal fibres. Just £70-80 for a cashmere blanket; £30 for Lamere. www.angelcashmere.com

Ocabini stripe blankets2. Ocabini - a completely new cashmere company founded last year by sisters Loren Beven, an artist who lives in Nepal and London-based Suzy Powell. When Loren had some cashmere ponchos made for her family, friends pestered the sisters for their own versions (as well as the blankets and hats Loren had designed for their children), and Lo! a company was born. “The quality of the cashmere in Nepal is outstanding as well as the craftsmanship and the range of colours is vast,” says Suzy.  ”We were making them for friends so frequently that we decided to start a business.” The sisters spent eight months refining the range, which includes women’s ponchos, and incredible candy-coloured stripy baby blankets, knits and accessories for children. From £30 - £130. www.ocabini.com

Flower cardigan by Indigo3. Indigo is the brainchild of London-based mother and designer Miranda Dunn, who spent evenings following the birth of her first child in 2006 coming up with a range of affordable, soft, humorous cashmere sweaters for wee ones. Her motifs (stars, dots and flowers) are classic enough to be stocked by Le Bon Marché in Paris, but betray a hint of quirky British humour. With constantly growing ranges, (newly added are scarves, hats and tanktops) Dunn’s company is just taking off - and this season is offering customised name sweaters for kids alongside her gorgeous, clean-lined blankets. Plus, unusually, sizes go up to age 9. Knitwear, approx £65, blankets, £100; scarves from £25. www.indigo-london.com

Donna Wilson for Roam4. Roam. We’ve written about Sonia Ambrosano and Lachlan Munro’s inspired cashmere blankets before. But since then the talented cashmere duo, who add a little bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll to Scottish cashmere production and design, have added a collaboration with quirky Brit designer Donna Wilson to their range of baby blankets. Plus they’ve expanded their web shop to include drool-worthy original scarves for women - and cushions too. Blanket, £159.20; scarves from £140. www.studioroam.co.uk

Cashmere mix cardigan by Bonnie Baby5. Bonnie Baby. This south coast-based outfit produces the cutest and yet not-at-all-twee baby cashmere outfits (despite the old-fashioned name) that are a favourite with celebs like Jamie Oliver and Gwyneth Paltrow. If there’s a distinct Sonia Rykiel, Left-Bank feel to the cult stripy wares, (made in a cashmere / cotton mix so they’re machine washable) it’s because owner Tracey Samuel worked as a designer for Rykiel before having her daughter in 2004 and deciding to change tack from adult to children’s clothing. Uplifting, happy, great quality babywear. Cardigan, £40.00. www.bonniebaby.co.uk