Understanding
Cashmere
Where Does Cashmere Come From?
Cashmere originated in the high Himalayan plateaus of China and Mongolia where the cashmere goat lives. This area has harsh climates, where winters temperatures can drop to -40 degrees, forcing the cashmere goats to adapt by developing a double fleece.
The coat of this animal, more specifically its undercoat, is the basic material used in cashmere production. This animal's undercoat is thick and soft, protecting them from the freezing temperatures they endure in winter months. The hairs are ultra-fine and have strong insulating properties.
Sourcing Our Cashmere
So, how is raw cashmere obtained from these goats? During the summer and spring months, the fibers from cashmere goats can be combed or sheared. Shearing cashmere goats is less desirable as it tends to collect more guard hair than combed fleece. Premium cashmere comes from combing only.
A single goat doesn’t produce enough fiber for one sweater. It can take 4-8 cashmere goats to make one sweater.
What is Gauge?
Gauge refers to the number of stitches or rows per inch and is a measure of how tightly the item is knitted. The lower the gauge number, the heavier the item is and the higher the gauge number, the lighter the item will be.
For example, a 7 gauge will have 7 stitches or rows of yarn per inch of the knitted cashmere and a 12 gauge will have 12 stitches or rows of yarn per inch.
What Does Ply Mean?
Ply is the number of cashmere threads that are twisted together to make the cashmere yarn.
When two threads are twisted together, that is referred to as 2-ply and when three threads are twisted together that is 3-ply etc.
Cashmere is very fine hair so the material is strengthened when twisted together.
What is Quality Cashmere and How to Identify It?
When it comes to cashmere, there is low grade and high grade. Cashmere should never feel scratchy, rough or unpleasant and if it does, it can be considered low grade.
In addition, premium quality cashmere products are made with long fine fibers that pill less and maintain their shape better than items made with shorter hair. The finer the cashmere fiber the softer it feels.
You should also check the label of your product to confirm what it’s made of. If a sweater is made with anything besides cashmere, it is considered a ‘blend’ and should be labeled properly. Any blends with synthetics can be an indication that poor quality cashmere was used.
When purchasing cashmere, look for pure fibers, something we offer here at ANNIS.