From Ulaanbaatar to Brussels: Cashmere Pompoms by Chauncey

My mom and Chauncey's Nathalie Bouhana would probably get along really well, as they both adore yarn. My mom is an obsessive knitter. (She has a yarn closet. No, literally.) As a result, I grew up with an appreciation of the hard work that goes into knitting, especially when it comes to multi-colored, textured patterns. So this season, I asked Nathalie for an insight into what goes into a Chauncey garment. The Fall collection includes pill patterns, pompoms, and a new style of camouflage called "Chameleon," all of which pop up on soft, classic knitwear styles. Nathalie explained, "I was focusing on everyday habits, wondering how to place them on sweaters. I found Damien Hirst's work 'Medicine Cabinet,' thought about how we take too many pills, and decided to put them on a sweater as a critical message. But they're pastel so it's funny!" And the oversized pompoms? "It's totally regressive, and who cares? I wish I could have worn them as a kid!"

Nathalie and her partner, David Sdika, opened up their knit-filled world to us and sent along some photographs of their pompom prodcution process, from their cashmere source in Ulaanbaatar, through to their Brussels studio.

Photos by David Sdika | Shop Chauncey women's and men's.

Nathalie's favorite vintage knitting book

Goats in Ulaanbaatar!


The raw cashmere that results from the combing




The raw cashmere is washed, dyed, and spun to create beautiful yarn.


Nathalie: "This is my knitwear bible, edited in 1930!"



Cut two doughnut shapes from thin cardboard.

Using a needle, wrap the yarn around both doughnuts until completely covered. 


Once the cardboard is completely covered, use a scissor to cut the yarn, separating the two doughnuts.